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Tourists may think it is expensive to stay near national parks; however, there are several low cost options available in all of the national parks.

National parks are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, however several tourists are concerned that getting lodgings near the major national parks would mean an expensive stay. But there are rooms and hotels located near the major national parks that are affordable.

One such place is the Xanterra facility at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Xanterra complex, there are several lodges available that cater to different budgets and needs. Its primary building is the El Tovar Hotel that has been a popular Grand Canyon residence since 1905. It has a dining area that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

El Tovar Hotel has 78 rooms and suites that are all equipped with cable television, full baths, air conditioning and telephones. All the rooms are non-smoking with limited hours for room service. It is placed right at the rim of the Grand Canyon, offering guests with a constant view of the Grand Canyon. A standard room with a choice of one double, one queen or two queen beds costs about $166.

One of the most popular attractions at the Yosemite National Park is the Yosemite Falls. Found at the north area of the Park, the falls are 400 feet high and fall to the green forest of the park. The Yosemite Lodge at the fall is the only place offering accommodations that is located right at the foot of the falls.

The Yosemite Lodge has 245 rooms. It was once the headquarters of the U.s. Army Cavalry and has been standing it that area since 1906. Situated right in the middle of the Yosemite Valley, guests who want to experience living inside the Yosemite National Park will do well to book a room 12 months in advance to ensure availability. The Yosemite Lodge is very popular among hikers who intend to take trips to the Half Dome, Glacier Point or any of the other trails located near the lodge.

There are 226 lodge and 19 standard rooms available, which cost about $150 to $215 dollars exclusive of taxes. Other facilities in the area are the food court, the Mountain Room Restaurant, meeting and banquet facilities and an outdoor swimming pool. The lodge also has Automatic Teller Machines, a bicycle rental shop, an Internet kiosk and an amphitheater with regular programs.

Another national park that has a steady stream of visitors is the Yellowstone Park. Known for its history as a campground for Aboriginal Americans, as well as the Old Faithful Geyser, visitors who wish to spend more than one day at the park have several options to choose from. One such place is the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

Located at the shores of the Yellowstone Lake, the hotel is the oldest remaining functioning hotel in the area. It was built in 1891 to serve as a place for Indians, trappers and mountain men to meet and stay in. After an overhaul that began in 1903, the hotel remains one of the most popular places for tourists to stay at in Yellowstone Park. There are several rooms available at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and they are designed to accommodate different kinds of travelers.

The Presidential Suite contains a parlor, two bedrooms with queen beds and two full bathrooms and can be rented for $565. The premium rooms have a varying number of beds dependent on room size. They also have full bathrooms and rates depend on their location in the hotel. A premium frontside room costs about $216 and a premium backside room about $206. High Range rooms are located in the annex, which was added to the hotel. They are more modern in appearance and function and cost around $143 a night. There are also Frontier cabins located near the hotel, which are simple duplex houses and can be rented for $128.