20 Best National Parks in California + Top National Monuments
HEADING TO THE NATIONAL PARKS IN CALIFORNIA?
We are here to help! We have visited over 30 national parks in the United States, and we have spent months exploring the state of California. We have been to A LOT of places in California – but the national parks in this state are some of our favorites.
One of the best states to visit if you enjoy spending time in the national parks is California. There are so many beautiful national parks in California that are so diverse and offer amazing hiking trails and beautiful viewpoints. The beautiful national parks in California offer volcanic mountains, awe-inspiring rock formations, deserted deserts, and wildlife.
There are nine beautiful national parks in California, making it the state with the most national parks. There are lots of federally operated monuments and recreational areas in California as well. If you see lists with more than nine national parks, they are referring to additional federally-run national monuments and other federally maintained locations.
National Parks in Northern California
1. Redwood National and State Parks
About Redwoods National Park
One of our favorite national parks in California is the Redwoods National and State Parks. For some odd reason, I wasn’t expecting a lot from this national park but ended up loving it. The rugged coastline, wildlife, and Fern Canyon won us over. It is a park that is really easy to navigate with beautiful scenery.
In this national park, you can find the tallest trees on the earth as well as a beautiful coastline and endless prairies. This national park is home to about 34% of the coastal redwoods left in the world and is one of two states in the country where you can see them.
There are three state parks that are co-managed by Redwood National Park – Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Jedediah Smith is a great park to visit if you are staying in Crescent City or Southern Oregon.
We love this area because you can explore the beautiful redwood forests while also getting to enjoy time at the beach. There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife like salmon, sea lions, and deer.
Things to Do in Redwoods National Park
If you want to see the oldest redwood trees, be sure to visit Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This is California’s first state park. You can also see the biggest continuous old-growth forest in Humboldt Redwood State Park.
A couple of our favorite trails in this area are the Ladybird Johnson Grove Trail and Stout Grove. These trails are very family-friendly and the trees here are amazing to see.
Stout Grove is one of the most popular trails in Jedediah Smith State Park. We visited this state park on our last visit to Crescent City and we loved it.
One of the most scenic drives in this area is the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway. This is a short and scenic drive that detours off of Highway 101. Another amazing highlight and something not to miss in the Redwoods is Fern Canyon. It is a canyon with 50-foot high walls filled with ferns.
Where to Stay
- Holiday Inn Express Redwood National Park (Klamath)
- Hiouchi Motel (Crescent City)
- Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast (Trinidad)
There are four campsites in the national and state parks. It is recommended to make reservations ahead of time. We camped at the Agate Campground, previously known as Patrick’s Point, and loved our stay there. It is one of our favorite places to go RV camping in Northern California.
2. Lassen Volcanic National Park
About Lassen Volcanic National Park
During our last road trip through California, we visited Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is unique in that it has steaming fumaroles and geothermal features like Yellowstone National Park. The landscapes in this park are filled with views of bubbling mud and sulfur vents, created by the meeting of the Cascade Range and the Basin and Range Province.
This national park is home to all four types of volcanoes, making it a unique geothermal area. It is also home to the world’s largest volcanic dome. You can see evidence of the volcanic eruption that occurred in 1915. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one or two volcano eruptions in the United States in the 20th century.
Keep in mind that the main roads in the park open as late as June because of snowfall.
It is also not as busy of a park so if you’re looking to avoid crowds, this is a great place to visit.
Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
There are lots of great hiking trails and boardwalks that go throughout the geothermal features in the park. Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works are two of the most popular trails. Bumpass Hell is a hike that takes about two hours and goes by bubbling mud and steaming fumaroles.
Another great hike in the park is to the top of Lassen Peak. Even during the summer months, it is common to find snow at the top. There are amazing views of the park and the surrounding areas from the top. This is a five-mile hike.
If you want to go on a hike but don’t want something as strenuous as Lassen Peak, consider the two-mile hike to Kings Creek Falls.
In the park, there are also lots of great lakes. Although the water is cold, you can go swimming. Other popular activities at the lake include kayaking and picnicking. Manzanita Lake is the most popular lake to visit in the park.
Where to Stay
- Village at Childs Meadow (Mill Creek)
- Highlands Ranch Resort (Mill Creek)
- Best Western Rose Quartz Inn (Chester)
There are eight campsites in the park that are open seasonally. There is a cabin at Manzanita Lake that is open seasonally as well.
National Parks in Central California
3. Yosemite National Park
About Yosemite National Park
Everyone needs to visit Yosemite National Park at least once in their lifetime. This beautiful valley is surrounded by amazing granite, carved by large glaciers, and has beautiful waterfalls. It is a popular destination among hikers and rock climbers and is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.
Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
Some of the most popular activities in Yosemite National Park include hiking, white-water rafting, fishing, and rock climbing. One of the best hikes in Yosemite Valley to see the large granite formations is the Tuolumne Meadows Trail. It is a short half-mile hike that will give you great views of El Capitan and other formations.
Another great thing to do is drive, or hike if you’re up for a strenuous hike, to the rim of the valley. This will give you fantastic views of Half Dome and El Capitan. We love the views from Tunnel View and Glacier Point.
If you are looking to avoid the crowds in Yosemite, we recommend driving up to Tioga Road. Along this road, some fun stops are Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and Olmstead Point. The entire drive has such beautiful views, and it is one of the least visited areas in the park.
If you haven’t seen the giant sequoias, you should visit Mariposa Grove. It is the largest group of sequoias in Yosemite.
Yosemite National Park Guide
If you want to know more about Yosemite National Park, we have made a great guide about all of the fun things to do there and important tips for visiting! Click here for the guide.
Yosemite National Park Tours
Where to Stay
4. Death Valley National Park
About Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is another unique national park in California as it sits below sea level. Death Valley is extremely hot in the summer and can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. These extreme heat and drought environments create a beautiful landscape. Death Valley is known as the hottest and driest place in the United States.
Large rainstorms produce beautiful spring flowers creating a unique scene when paired with the snow-covered mountains in the background. There are great hiking trails that will take you past unique sand formations, endless salt flats, red-colored canyons, and rocks. The most popular time to enjoy these hiking trails and the wildflowers is in the Spring.
Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
There are lots of great lookouts to enjoy while in Death Valley National Park. Zabriskie Point and Dante’s View are two must-visits. Zabriskie Point is especially spectacular at sunrise or sunset. There is an accessible viewing area close to the parking lot.
Another really neat part of the park is the Badwater Basin. This area is 280 feet below sea level. There are really neat salt formations here and it is the hottest part of the park. You can see other salt formations at the Devil’s Golf Course.
If you want to see the sand dunes in the park, head to the Eureka Dunes. There are five large sand dunes in the park but this one is the most impressive. It is the tallest of the sand dunes in the park.
If you are visiting during the summer on an especially hot day, swing by the visitor center to get a picture with a temperature gauge.
Where to Stay
There are also nine campsites in Death Valley National Park.
5. Sequoia National Park
About Sequoia National Park
Another one of our favorite national parks in the Golden State is Sequoia National Park. Sequoia was the second established national park after Yellowstone.
This park is home to the largest trees in the world by volume, including General Sherman. This is the largest tree in the park. Another highlight of the park is Mount Whitney, the tallest point on the John Muir Trail.
Another fun trail to walk along is the Congress Trail. This trail has lots of fun things to see along the way as well as an amazing grove of ancient Sequoia trees. Big Trees Trail is another one of our favorites there.
Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
The top attraction in the park is General Sherman along with the other large trees in the Giant Forest. The General Sherman tree is estimated to be 2,100 years old. There are great walking paths through this area where you can admire these beautiful trees.
One of the most popular hikes in the park is Morro Rock. From the top of Morro Rock, there are beautiful views of the Great Western Divide. We did this hike with our twins who were three at the time and they did great. The trail is narrow with some stone steps. There is a guardrail but there are some drop-offs so it is a good idea to exercise caution.
Tours of Sequoia National Park
Where to Stay
6. Kings Canyon National Park
About Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is right next to Sequoia National Park and admissions for both parks are honored by the other. Kings Canyon is similar to Yosemite in that it has amazing rock formations and beautiful valleys.
It also protects two beautiful rivers – the Kings River and San Joaquin River. Another highlight of the park is driving down through Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the United States.
Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park
Our favorite thing to do in Kings Canyon National Park is touring Boyden Caverns. There are guided tours that run through the cave. We love visiting the caves during our travels and this one is well worth a visit.
We don’t think the sequoia trees are quite as impressive as in Sequoia National Park but make sure to save time to see the General Grant Tree. It is the second-largest tree in the world. You can see the General Grant Tree as you tour Grant Grove.
Where to Stay
7. Pinnacles National Park
About Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park was formed about 22 million years ago by volcanic activity. This national park has very diverse landscapes and is home to lots of wildlife like peregrine falcons, California condors, and golden eagles.
This national park was formed when a volcano was split in half by the San Andreas Fault. This created the dramatic landscapes like canyons, boulders, and caves that are present in the park today.
This is the newest designated national park in California.
Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park
Hiking and bird watching are some of the fun things to do in Pinnacles. It is home to the endangered California condor.
One of the best and most scenic hikes in the national park is the Bear Gulch Cave Trail. It is filled with diverse views and landscapes including a cave, canyons, and a creek.
Because of the unique rock formations in the park, rock climbing is very popular here. There are lots of steep cliffs as well. Caving is another popular activity in the park. There are lots of different limestone caves throughout the area that are fun to explore. Bear Gulch on the east side and Balconies Cave on the west are the best caves to see.
Where to Stay
National Parks in Southern California
8. Channel Islands National Park
About Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park is a unique national park like Biscayne National Park in that a lot of the makeup of the park is water. Channel Islands has five beautiful islands as well as the surrounding ocean environment just off the Santa Barbara coast.
Commonly referred to as America’s Galapagos, Channel Islands is a great place to see unique plants and sea life including dolphins, seabirds, bald eagles, elephant seals, and whales. There are some plants and animals only found in the park.
This national park is accessible by boat or seaplane. There are ferries with Island Packers boat tours that take visitors out departing from Oxnard and Ventura. The ferry ride takes about an hour and costs $65.
Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park
During the summer months, it is a great time to go whale watching. The warmer waters bring in humpback and blue whales.
Popular activities during the fall include kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
You can enjoy hiking and camping on the island year-round. The Scorpion Ranch Campground is the best place to camp in Channel Islands National Park. One of the best hikes in the park is the Inspiration Point Trail.
Before you head out to the islands, be sure to stop by the Visitor Center in Ventura. There are lots of great educational exhibits about Channel Islands.
Where to Stay
There are campgrounds on the island with little to no services. You will need to bring in your own food and water. Two campgrounds on the island have drinking water.
There are not any hotels in the national park. You can stay on the coast and take the ferry over to the national park.
- Hampton Inn Channel Islands Harbor/Oxnard
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Hotel
- Best Western Oxnard Inn
9. Joshua Tree National Park
About Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is a unique part of the California desert because it is where the Mojave and Colorado ecosystems come together. Visiting Joshua Tree will give you the classic desert experience. We loved seeing the unique Joshua trees and large boulders found in this national park.
Joshua Tree is very hot in the summer so consider visiting from October to May.
Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
One of the best things to do in the park is driving down Pinto Basin and Park Boulevard. Off this road, you will find lots of great hiking trails as well as fun rock formations to explore. We had so much fun climbing on the rocks and finding Skull Rock and Arch Rock. Be sure to make the drive down to the Cholla Cactus Garden.
Because of the large boulders in the area, rock climbing is a popular activity. We saw lots of people out climbing when we were in the park. Some of the best rock climbing is at Echo Cove. There are about 8,000 established climbing routes in the park.
One of the most unique things to do in Joshua Tree is visiting the Wall Street Mill, an abandoned gold mine from the 1930s.
If you are staying in this area overnight, be sure to go stargazing. This area is a designated IDA International Dark Sky Park. The views of the Milky Way at night are stunning. If you have some flexibility in the timing of your visit, visiting during a meteor shower is an amazing experience.
Joshua Tree Tours
Where to Stay
- Best Western Joshua Tree
- Sunnyvale Garden Suites
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms
- The Spring Resort and Spa (Adult Only)
There are nine campgrounds in the park. Black Rock and Cottonwood have water available. The most popular campground is Jumbo Rocks Campground. You will be surrounded by iconic views of large boulders and Joshua trees.
National Parks in California Map
Other Top Sites in California Managed by the National Park Service
10. Cabrillo National Monument
When you are in San Diego, be sure to stop by Cabrillo National Monument. It is where the first European, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, landed on the West Coast of the United States.
There is a beautiful lighthouse, fun tide pools, and fascinating historical sites. The top of the monument has a beautiful statue as well as great views of downtown San Diego, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean. Keep an eye out for the gray whales if you are visiting from December to February.
There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife here including sea life in the tide pools and whales. Try to visit at low tide to see the cool tide pools. Whales are in the area from late December through March.
You can also explore the Bayside Trail which is a 2-mile trail that winds around the national monument.
This national monument is open year-round.
11. Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes has some of the best coastal views in California. It offers a wide variety of views from grasslands to rocky headlands to beautiful beaches. This area of the coast has such interesting history and makes a great vacation destination.
There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife here. There is a herd of wild elk that live in the meadows and whale-watching during the winter months is very popular. About 20,000 grey whales migrant down to Baja California for their breeding grounds.
There are also lots of seabirds living in this area.
A great viewpoint at Point Reyes is Elephant Seal Overlook. If you want to do some hiking, check out Tomales Point Trail or Laguna-Coast Loop. The earthquake trail borders the San Andreas fault and the Kule Loklo trail are two other fun trails.
Backcountry and boat-in camping are available. There are not any sites for RV or car camping. You can stay inside Point Reyes at the Point Reyes Youth Hostel.
12. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
If you are wanting to get outside and enjoy the beautiful California weather in San Francisco, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a great place to go. This area provides a home to more than 2,000 plans and animal species.
Here you can learn about the fascinating history of the San Francisco area through Spanish settlements and the US military presence in San Francisco. It is also a great place for hiking, picnicking, and sightseeing.
The GGNRA is the largest urban national park and includes many of the sites in San Francisco like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
13. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
The Santa Monica Mountains are a great place to visit if you want to spend time outdoors. There are over 500 miles of trails as well as cultural sites and famous beaches. This area is home to nine state parks, including Leo Carrillo State Park which has beautiful coastal views.
If you want to do some hiking in the area, Malibu Creek State Park has some great hiking trails as well awesome redwood trees.
14. Manzanar National Historic Site
Manzanar National Historic Site is a place filled with an amazing history. This is the site where Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. History enthusiasts interested in World War II will love learning about and seeing the historical sites here.
There are lots of reconstructed historical sites here like barracks, a dining hall, and gardens. You will also find lots of educational exhibits and tours. There is also an auto-tour route.
If you are driving between Kings Canyon National Park and Death Valley, this is on your way. Manzanar National Historic Site is open from the Fall through the Spring.
15. Alcatraz Island
Visiting Alcatraz Island is one of the best things to do in San Francisco. It is just off the shore and offers an amazing look into the story of the American justice system and incarceration. Alcatraz has been a military fort as well as a maximum-security prison and is most famous for housing some of America’s most famous criminals.
You do need to go on a guided tour to visit Alcatraz. We highly recommend using the audio tour as you go through Alcatraz to learn more about this famous historic site.
▶ Book Your Alcatraz Visit Here!
16. Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile National Monument is home to some very unique geological features including the columnar basalt in the middle of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. This national monument has towers that are up to 60 feet tall with amazing symmetry formed from lava.
Make sure to take the time to climb to the top of Devils Postpile National Monument.
Also, in this area, you can visit Rainbow Falls and enjoy the beautiful mountain views. Another popular hike in this area is to Mammoth Lakes. In the summer months, there are also lots of great swimming holes here.
There is a nice campsite here nearby the postpile. This monument is open in the summer and early fall.
17. Lava Beds National Monument
We love finding places where we can see and learn about the history of volcanic eruptions like in Volcanoes National Park and Craters of the Moon. Lava Beds National Monument is a unique area that has been formed over 500,000 years.
Lava Beds National Monument is a great place to explore caves, view Native America art on rocks, and learn more about the fascinating history of the area. The most interesting part of the national monument is the miles of lava tubes. You can explore these lava tubes on your own, but you will need to get a free permit.
Lava Beds National Monument is year-round. Camping is available at the Indian Well Campground.
18. Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point is another great national site to visit in the San Francisco area. Historically, Fort Point was used to defend the bay of San Francisco from the Gold Rush through World War II. There are beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as the Bay area.
At the historic site, you can watch cannon demonstrations and a short educational film and walk the grounds.
19. Muir Woods National Monument
Another great place to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in California is Muir Woods National Monument. This is a great area to see the redwoods that grow along the Northern California coast.
This is a great area to go hiking and join a ranger-led tour. There are about six miles of walking trails.
You will need to make a reservation for parking and shuttle passes before your visit. It is best to reserve these as early as you can.
▶ Book Your Muir Woods Tour Here!
20. Mojave National Preserve
The Mojave National Preserve has beautiful desert landscapes and is a great place to enjoy nature. The preserve has really hot temperatures from May through October so if you want to avoid the heat of the Mojave desert, it is best to visit during the winter and early spring.
In the spring, there are tons of wildflowers here.
You can camp at the Hole-in-the-Wall campground. There is a nice educational center here as well as a nature trail. You can expect to see lots of wildlife here like bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and rattlesnakes.
This is a short list of many other national monuments and recreation areas in California. You can see a full list of the sites here.
Things to Know Before Visiting the National Parks in California
Save Money Using the America the Beautiful Pass
If you are planning on visiting a lot of the national parks in California and 2,000 other federally-run sites, the America the Beautiful Pass can save you a ton of money. The pass is good for one year and is one of our best money-saving tips for traveling.
Dog Friendly National Parks in California
There are not any California national parks that are particularly dog-friendly. In the national parks, dogs are only allowed where cars can go. Most of the campgrounds do allow dogs but outside of that, dogs are limited to paved parking lots and some paved paths.
Overall, we wouldn’t recommend taking a dog to the national parks as you will be limited in what you can see and do. Be sure to check with each park’s rules before visiting.
How many national parks are in California?
There are nine national parks in California. California has the most national parks out of any state in the United States.
What is the best national park to visit in California?
Naming the best national park in California is difficult because there is such a variety in the activities, views, and vibes of each park. Yosemite would be at the top of the list but don’t count out Sequoia National Park and the Redwoods.
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