If you have celiac disease, planning a trip to national parks can come with one very important question. “What National Parks have gluten-free food options nearby?”
National parks are incredible vacation destinations, but many are located hours away from major cities, and food options inside the parks can be limited. When you need more than just a restaurant with a gluten-free bun — and actually have to worry about cross-contamination — that can make planning a national park vacation a little intimidating.
The good news? Some of the United States’ most beautiful national parks are surprisingly close to towns with excellent gluten-free restaurants, dedicated gluten-free bakeries, grocery stores and other celiac-friendly options.
Here are some of the best national parks for every gluten-free traveler, especially if you’re willing to stay just outside the park and make the surrounding town part of your vacation.
My Top Tip for Planning a National Parks Vacation With Gluten-Free Food Options
My top tip for planning a National Parks trip with gluten-free food options is to book accommodations with a full kitchen whenever possible. Having your own kitchen gives you much more control over ingredients and cross-contact, especially in areas where gluten-free restaurants or grocery stores may be limited.
You can prepare safe breakfasts, pack lunches for long days in the park, and have an easy dinner waiting when dining options don’t work out. It takes so much stress out of figuring out where your next gluten-free meal will come from—and can save money, too!
I regularly use Expedia to find accommodations with kitchens!
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10 Best National Parks For Gluten-Free Food Options
10. Joshua Tree National Park — California
Best nearby towns: Palm Springs (I don’t recommend staying in Joshua Tree itself)
Joshua Tree has one huge advantage for gluten-free travelers: Palm Springs isn’t far away.
You can stay closer to the park for part of your trip or base yourself in the Palm Springs area, where you’ll have access to a much larger restaurant scene and plenty of grocery stores.
In general, I’ve found Southern California to be one of the easier parts of the country for finding gluten-free. But I’m not super impressed by Palm Springs or especially Joshua Tree. I expected there to be way more gluten-free food nearby – that’s why this is low on the list!
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Palm Springs, Cali: Low Desert (Modern Mexican), Rooster and the Pig, Piero’s Pizza Vino, Palm Greens Cafe, Crudo Cervicheria, El Jefe Desert Cantina, Giuseppe’s Pizzeria, Farm
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You get the national park experience without being completely isolated from a major tourist destination.
9. Olympic National Park — Washington
Best nearby town: Port Angeles
Olympic National Park is a little different because it is enormous and spread out. You aren’t necessarily going to have one gateway town that works for everything.
But Port Angeles makes a good home base for portions of the park and gives you access to supermarkets and restaurants before heading out for the day.
Washington is also generally a good destination for gluten-free travelers, particularly around its larger towns and cities.
For Olympic, I’d plan more carefully than I would for Acadia or Zion. Bring plenty of food with you when exploring remote areas and don’t assume you’ll stumble across a celiac-friendly restaurant when you’re hungry.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Port Angeles, WA: Fish & Crab Shack, New Day Eatery, Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream, Sabai Thai, Yodelin Broth Company, Pink Pony Cafe, Next Door Gastropub, Gordy’s Pizza & Pasta, Spruce.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You can combine a wilderness-heavy vacation with strategic stays in larger towns.
8. Shenandoah National Park — Virginia
Best nearby areas: Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley
For those of us on the East Coast, Shenandoah is a particularly appealing option.
The park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its famous Skyline Drive runs more than 100 miles through the park, making this an excellent road-trip destination.
Instead of relying exclusively on park dining, you can base yourself near one of the larger surrounding communities and pack your own food for your days inside Shenandoah.
This is one where I’d especially recommend getting a vacation rental with a kitchen. Stock up on gluten-free breakfast foods, fresh fruit, and sandwiches. Then spend the day exploring Skyline Drive, and then head somewhere below for dinner!
Why I like it for celiac travelers: It’s a relatively accessible national park for Northeast road trips and you can easily build your food plans around nearby towns.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Charlottesville: The Juice Landry, The Homestead Oven, Burtons Grill & Bar, Sedona Taphouse, Vision BBQ, Public Fish & Oyster, The Bebedero, and Iron Paffles & Coffee
7. Grand Teton National Park — Jackson, Wyoming
Best nearby town: Jackson
Grand Teton combines one of America’s most spectacular landscapes with something very important to me on vacation: a real restaurant town nearby.
Jackson has a major tourism industry and a much larger dining scene than you might expect to find near a national park in Wyoming.
It’s also possible to use Jackson as your base for exploring Grand Teton, which means you can research your restaurants ahead of time rather than depending entirely on whatever food happens to be available inside the park.
And if you’re combining Grand Teton with Yellowstone, Jackson is a great place to stock up on gluten-free groceries at a small grocery store before heading into more remote areas.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: Jackson gives you restaurants and grocery options while keeping you within easy reach of Grand Teton.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Jackson, WY: Liberty Burger, Jackson Drug, Local Co, Hand Fire Pizza, The Bistro, The Kitchen, and Bar T 5
6. Acadia National Park — Bar Harbor, Maine
Best nearby town: Bar Harbor
Acadia might be one of the easiest national park vacations to plan if you have celiac disease.
Unlike parks where you’re staying in the middle of nowhere, Bar Harbor sits right next to Acadia National Park and has a bustling restaurant scene. You can spend the day hiking, driving Park Loop Road or watching the waves crash at Thunder Hole and be back in town for dinner.
Maine is also generally a pretty easy state for gluten-free travelers thanks to all of the naturally gluten-free seafood. Think lobster, steamed mussels and other fresh seafood — although you’ll obviously still want to ask about preparation and cross-contamination.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You don’t have to choose between staying near the national park and staying near restaurants.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Bar Harbor: Geddy’s, Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen, Side Street Cafe, Beal’s Lobster Pier, The Nor’Easter Pound & Market, McKays Public House, and Royal Indian.
5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Ohio
Best nearby cities: Akron and Cleveland
Cuyahoga Valley doesn’t have the dramatic remoteness of Yellowstone or Glacier — and from a gluten-free perspective, that’s actually an advantage.
The park sits between Cleveland and Akron, giving celiac travelers access to two metropolitan areas filled with restaurants and grocery stores.
If I were going, I would easily stay in Akron over Cleveland. Akron is only a 15-minute drive to Cuyahoga and is a small haven for gluten-free!
You could easily build a weekend trip around hiking in Cuyahoga Valley during the day and returning to the Cleveland area for a carefully researched gluten-free dinner.
Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants in Akron, OH: Jilly’s Music Room (despite it’s name it’s a full restaurant that is 100% gluten-free)
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Akron, OH: The Green Dragon Inn, Sweet Mary’s Bakery, Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant, Aladdin’s Eatery, The Industry Kitchen & Bar, El Patron Tequileria & Cuisine, Guiseppe’s Pizza, Artisan Coffee, Vicious Biscuit.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You’re never particularly far from civilization.
4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Best nearby towns: Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
If you’re concerned about not having enough great options nearby then the Smokies deserve a spot near the top of your list.
Gatlinburg sits immediately outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while Pigeon Forge is a short drive away and has an enormous tourism industry.
That means restaurants. Lots and lots of restaurants.
You’ll still need to research cross-contamination — especially because Southern food tends to involve plenty of breading and shared fryers — but the sheer number of establishments gives you much more flexibility than you’d have around many remote national parks.
It’s also a great choice for families because there’s so much to do outside the park.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: An enormous tourism infrastructure means you’re not dependent on one or two restaurants.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Gatlinburg: Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar, Calhoun’s, Over Easy Al’s, The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar, Greenbrier Restaurant, and J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe
3. Zion National Park — Springdale, Utah
Best nearby town: Springdale
Zion is probably one of the best examples of why choosing the right national park gateway town matters.
Springdale is literally outside the entrance to Zion National Park, so you can stay surrounded by restaurants rather than relying exclusively on food inside the park.
There are numerous restaurants in Springdale offering gluten-free options, and the town is so intertwined with Zion tourism that restaurants are accustomed to travelers with different dietary needs.
For someone with celiac disease, I’d still contact individual restaurants about cross-contamination before visiting, but having multiple possibilities within such a small area makes planning significantly easier.
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You can walk or take the shuttle around town, eat breakfast before entering Zion, and return to Springdale for dinner.
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Springdale, UT: Camp Outpost Co, Zion, Archie’s Food to Die For, Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon, Thai Sapa, Wild Thyme Cafe at Trees Ranch, Oscar’s Cafe, Sol Foods Supermarket, Hangry Goat, The Park House, Deep Creek Coffee Company,
2. Saguaro National Park — Tucson, Arizona
Best nearby city: Tucson
This one might be the sleeper pick on this list, but it’s honestly my top choice for gluten-free.
Saguaro National Park essentially surrounds portions of Tucson, meaning you can visit a national park while staying in a major city surrounded by gluten-free options. Plus Tucson is one of the best cities for gluten-free safe restaurants.
There is even a gluten-free bakery and a gluten-free restaurant with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen!
That is a HUGE advantage with celiac disease.
Instead of trying to survive on whatever is available at a remote lodge, you have supermarkets, restaurants, and other resources nearby. Tucson is also famous for its food scene, giving you plenty to research before your trip.
Dedicated Gluten-Free in Tuscon, AZ: Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery/Bistro, Dedicated, a gluten free bakery & coffee shop
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Tuscon, AZ: Mojo Cuban Kitchen and Rum Bar, Coop by cowpig, The Monica, El Charro, Tuk Tuk Thai- Thai Street Food, Nate’s Italian Kitchen, Tucson Tamale Company, Golden House, Tito and Pep, Boca Tacos Y Tequila
Why I like it for celiac travelers: It’s one of the rare national parks where you can pair outdoor adventure with the convenience of staying in a sizable city that has a gluten-free community.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park — Colorado
Best nearby town: Estes Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is another fantastic choice because Estes Park sits right outside the park entrance.
Colorado also has a particularly strong gluten-free culture. You’ll find restaurants accustomed to dietary restrictions, gluten-free bakeries, and plenty of grocery options for stocking your hotel or vacation rental.
But personally, if I was planning a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, I wouldn’t stay in nearby Estes Park -even though it’s definitely the more convenient choice.
Instead, I’d happily make the roughly hour-long drive from Boulder, Colorado.
Why?
Simply because the gluten-free food scene there is so much better.
Boulder has an impressive number of dedicated gluten-free restaurants, bakeries, and other spots where you can eat without having to navigate a shared kitchen, which can make traveling with celiac disease feel a whole lot easier.
That last part is important for travel in national parks. Even when I’m visiting somewhere with great restaurants, I always want access to a grocery store so I can pack snacks and food items for long hiking days.
For me, having that many safe food options waiting at the end of a long day of hiking would absolutely be worth the extra drive. Plus, staying in Boulder gives you the chance to turn your Rocky Mountain National Park trip into a bit of a gluten-free food adventure, too!
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Estes Park, CO: The Post Mountain House, The Wapiti Colorado Pub, Rocky Mountain Crepe Company, The Egg of Estes, Raven’s Roast Coffee Lounge, Ed’s Cantina & Grill, Bob & Tony’s Pizza, Estes Thai Restaurant, Bird & Jim, Hunters Chop House, Claire’s Restaurant and Bar, Purple Mountain Taffy Company
Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants in Boulder, CO (one hour from Rocky Mountain): Quiero Arepas, Cozobi Fonda Fina, Just Be Kitchen, Sweet Sisters Bake Shop, Havenly Baked Goods
Dedicated Gluten-Free Restaurants in Fort Collins, CO (one hour from Rocky Mountain) Scrumpy’s Hard Cider Bar and Pub and Edison’s Ice Cream
Why I like it for celiac travelers: You’re getting a spectacular national park without having to stay hours away from big cities.
What About Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier?
You’ll notice that some of America’s most famous national parks aren’t at the top of my list.
That doesn’t mean you can’t visit them with celiac disease!
But there’s a big difference between “this national park has some gluten-free food” and “this National Park is an easy destination for a person with celiac disease.”
Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier all have dining options, but their size and remoteness mean I’d put considerably more effort into food planning.
For these trips, I’d strongly consider:
- Staying somewhere with a refrigerator or kitchen.
- Bringing substantial gluten-free snacks.
- Packing lunches for hiking days.
- Calling restaurants ahead about cross-contamination.
- Identifying grocery stores before arriving.
- Never assuming the next park restaurant will have something safe.
There’s nothing worse than finishing a ten-mile hike and realizing the only thing you feel comfortable eating is the emergency protein bar that’s been crushed at the bottom of your backpack for three days.
My Top National Parks for Gluten-Free Food Options
Exploring national parks while following a strict gluten-free diet can take a little planning, especially when you’re navigating food allergies or worried about cross-contact. The great thing is that more nearby communities are offering dedicated gluten-free restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or hoping to find the best gluten-free meal of your trip, researching menu items ahead of time can make a huge difference. After all, enjoying delicious food along the way is one of the best parts of any national park adventure!