California is one of the most diverse states, with beautiful coastlines, incredible forests and the highest peaks in the Southern Americas. Nearly one-sixth of America’s national parks are within California’s limits, representing some of America’s greatest landscapes and outdoor history.
Today we focus on and rank the best national parks in California. Of course, there are some nuances. This list does not include national monuments, beaches, or other smaller designations. The list below is technically the best of the best national parks.
California National Park Rankings
Anyone want to know the ranking of the good old California National Parks? As you can see, California has nine national parks, the most of any state.
Each national park has its own unique qualities, perhaps even better than those outside of Alaska. (Except Glacier National Park)
1. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite has everything an outdoor enthusiast could dream of. A towering rock wall. check. stunning waterfall. check. Backcountry hiking avoiding the crowds. check.
Add the ability to hike to amazing destinations like Half Dome and Taft Point, or beside a beautiful waterfall, and you have truly California’s largest national park.
Favorite hike: Upper Yosemite Falls
2. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is amazing and world’s largest tree. Driving around and seeing the giant sequoias will amaze your mind like nothing else in this world. We look at trees on a daily basis, but the sight of a tree the size of a water tower leaves our heads spinning.
Many people may not know that Sequoia is home. mount whitneythe highest mountain in the continental United States.
Favorite hiking trail: Congress Trail
3. Sequoia National Park
When I first visited Redwood National Park, I didn’t know what to expect. It’s only when you step into Northern California’s lush surroundings that you can fully appreciate its splendor.
Favorite hike: Boy Scout Tree Trail
4. Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park (KCNP) is a unique but absolutely popular national park. Much of KCNP is difficult to access, so it’s not high on most tourist lists. But if you’re looking for epic backpacking routes like Lake Ray, this beautiful section of the Sierra Nevada will give you goosebumps.
A major attraction in the more accessible part of the park is the General Grant Tree, the second largest tree after General Sherman.
Favorite hike: Ray Lakes
5. Death Valley National Park
This is one of the best sleeping national parks in the country. From a photographer’s point of view, Death Valley is in the top of the list for the most impressive places to take pictures.
Your jaw will keep hitting the floor as you explore the park and experience the unique octagonal salt flats of Badwater Basin, the Star Wars-like mesquite dunes, and all the amazing formations and textures in the park.
Favorite hike: Mesquite Dunes
6. Lassen Volcanic National Park
If you’re looking for mountainous and less-visited Yellowstone, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the place to go. A stunning area to explore, tucked away in the mountains of Northern California. Further north than Tahoe.
The area is full of geothermal hot springs, four volcanoes, alpine lakes and campgrounds. The national parks of the South deserve a lot of fanfare, but this national park weighs more.
Favorite hike: Lassen Peak
7. Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park is a jewel just off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara. Accessible only by boat, it is relatively unoccupied, meaning there are usually no tourists when hiking or camping on the archipelago.
We recommend camping if possible. Because you can hike the whole island and experience it with just 100 people.
Favorite hike: Potato Harbor
8. Joshua Tree National Park
In winter, many head to Joshua Tree to enjoy the warm desert temperatures and sunny days. With a sea of Joshua Tree cacti as far as the eye can see, it’s truly a magical place.
It’s also one of the best places to see the night sky in California. Hours away from the Los Angeles and Phoenix metro areas, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. This is something everyone should enjoy once in their lifetime.
Favorite hike: Hidden Valley
9. Pinnacles National Park
California’s newest national park isn’t that big. While it doesn’t match the grandeur of its state rivals, it’s still fun to take a day trip.
The caveat is that the temperature difference between the Monterey Coast and Pinnacles National Park can be over 30 degrees. I learned this the hard way!
Favorite hike: High Peaks Trail
Things to Know Before Visiting California’s National Parks
Here are some things you should know about California National Parks.
California’s National Parks Have Diverse Climates
Check weather conditions and local updates before visiting any of California’s national parks. The special nature of these locations can result in snow during the summer months and triple-digit heat in the spring.
The best way to stay safe is to be prepared for different weather patterns and conditions.
Are California National Parks open all year round?
More or less, yes. The main national park in California with major road closures is Lassen Volcanic National Park, as the winter season lasts his May-June. The Yosemite Highlands are also closed when the snow piles up, but Yosemite Valley is open.
Otherwise, all other parks are open unless otherwise stated.
However, that doesn’t mean you should visit all year round. Death Valley National Park is one example, where temperatures can reach 130 degrees Celsius during the summer months. I don’t know what a red flag is if it’s not a serious red flag to stay away.
Reservations are required for campsites
Since 2020 saw an explosion in outdoor recreation, campgrounds across the country are filling up in record time. Most outdoor enthusiasts finalize their reservations almost half a year in advance of their trip, as most reservable campgrounds he renews every six months.
This makes trying to find a spot last minute nearly impossible. So, If you plan to go campingbe sure to book in advance, grab a lucky spot on a first-come, first-served basis, or be okay with distributed camping in the woods with no facilities.
Quirky trivia about some national parks
- channel island This is one of only two national parks in the Lower 48 States and is only accessible by boat. (Florida’s dry tortugas is another.) Visiting the Channel Islands takes a little bit of planning, but nothing too difficult.
- You cannot drive through the Pinnacles National Park. He has two entrances, east and west, and a path connecting the two. If you’re planning to go camping, make sure you’re not on the wrong side.
- Redwood National Parks is a collection of federally protected state parks. As such, each site is designated a state park when visited.
responsibly recreate
An influx of tourists is being felt in many places, including these destinations. So remember to follow the “leave no trace” principle when visiting these amazing national parks in California.
This means staying on designated hiking trails, not cutting switchbacks, camping on durable ground, keeping food out of wild animals, and being friendly to others on the trail. means
That way everyone can have more fun in our wonderful natural places.
FAQ: California’s National Parks
What are the hardest national parks to visit in California?
The most difficult national park to visit is the Channel Islands National Park, which must be reached by boat. This means that you are not free to come and go, you have to choose from the schedule of tours you visit.
But other than that, I think Redwood National Park is next. Located near the Oregon state border, over four hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. For some, this can be a barrier to entry.
What are the easiest national parks to visit in California?
This depends on where you live. But for the nearly 13 million people who live in the greater Los Angeles area, getting to Joshua Tree National Park is easy. It’s about a three-hour drive, and most of it is on Interstate 10, so it’s easy to get to.
Summary of California’s National Parks
California’s national parks offer visitors a wide variety of natural wonders and recreational opportunities. From the towering sequoias of Redwood National and State Parks to the stunning granite cliffs of Yosemite National Park, these protected areas showcase the state’s incredible biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.
However, we need to recognize the importance of responsible tourism and conservation practices to ensure the long-term preservation of these cherished destinations. By supporting park efforts, enforcing “no trace” principles, and promoting sustainable travel practices, we can help protect these precious ecosystems for future generations. can.
Alec is an adventure photographer and travel writer who loves exploring hidden and hard-to-reach destinations to show off our glorious planet. His work has been featured in Backpacker, Adorama, and numerous state tourism offices. He is also a cancer and bone marrow transplant survivor twice and wants to show that there is a future possible from this deadly disease.
