Summer travel days are ticking away quickly, but it’s not too late to get in a few more RV trips and you don’t have to go far. If you like getting out in nature, taking in the natural scenery, or enjoy participating in outdoor activities, California is filled with fantastic national parks with plenty of room to roam. And with the mild climate, you can extend your trips throughout the year.
There are nine national parks to choose from in California. Here are a few highlights of each one to help you determine which one to visit first.
1. Yosemite National Park
Many people have heard of Yosemite National Park, but don’t realize how much it really offers until they get there. It’s well known for the sequoia trees and stunning and diverse landscapes including waterfalls, cliffs, and meadows. It also provides 1,200-square miles that are covered with hiking trails. Paths range in difficulty with something for newbies to experts.
The park is full of wildlife with more than 400 different species moving throughout the park. In addition to exploring the natural beauty of Yosemite, there are also cultural attractions, restaurants, and shops.
While most roads throughout the park are accessible by RV, there are some that have restrictions. However, there are many RV resorts and campgrounds around the area where you can set up base camp. With the size of the park, it’s easy to spend several days or more exploring all the area has to offer.
2. Lassen Volcanic National Park
If you have an interest in volcanoes, Lassen Volcanic National Park should be on your must-see list. It’s a one-of-a-kind national park providing a range of scenery to take in. Part of the park is full of things like bubbling mud pots and views of Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Volcano. Hot water is running through the park and you can even see steaming streams. Other parts of the park are filled with tranquil lakes and meadows filled with wildfires.
You’ll want to visit the park before November when the chance of heavy snowfalls increases.
3. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a favorite among photographers and desert wanders among others. There are beautiful craters, sand dunes, and salt flats. The park also holds the lowest point below sea level in the western hemisphere.
There are many activities to enjoy inside the park including hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, sightseeing, trail running, and guided tours. If you’re planning a visit, you’ll want to catch at least one sunrise or sunset in the park.
This is a national park that you may want to visit after the summer months when the temperatures aren’t quite as hot. Spring is beautiful as the park is full of a rainbow of wildflowers. During the fall and winter months, you may get to see snow-capped peaks and enjoy the park while it’s not as busy.
4. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
There is much to see and do at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park from underground up to through the peaks.
A trip to this national park wouldn’t be complete without a hike through the sequoia groves. But that’s not all to see and do at the park. Hikers will love climbing Moro Rock. Animal fans will enjoy seeing all the wildlife that lives in the park. You can also explore the park after dark at the Dark Sky Festival. And there are great options for rock climbers throughout the park.
You can also enjoy a guided tour through Crystal Cave. This is a half-day activity between the time to hike to and from the cave along with the 50-minute tour. A few other options in the park include fishing and spelunking.
Spring, summer, and fall are the best time to visit this national park.
5. Joshua Tree National Park
While being just a couple of hours away from L.A., Joshua Tree National Park is an 800,000-acre national park. It’s filled with cacti, boulders, and Joshua trees. The vast, open skies create for the perfect place for stargazing.
If you love desert scenery, you’ll love this national park. The rock formations provide plenty of opportunities for rock climbers. But there are plenty of easier hiking trails for those looking to take in the scenery as well.
The park gets hot in the summer with temperatures generally staying over 100°F. The best time to visit this park is during the fall through spring months, October to May.
6. Redwood National Park
There’s nothing like seeing the giant redwood trees growing in Redwood National Park. But while you may think only of the scenic drive through the forest, the park offers diverse scenery for you to enjoy. You definitely won’t want to miss driving along the Scenic Coastal Drive. There are also rivers, cliffs, sand dunes, and beaches for you to enjoy while in the park.
Wildlife lovers will enjoy the park with the diverse amount of animals in the area. You may even be able to see sea lions and whales from the park. And thanks to the moderate climate in the area, there’s no bad time to visit the park.
7. Point Reyes National Seashore
If you love the ocean, you’ll want to see Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s a beach lovers paradise. You can enjoy sandy beaches, rocky cliffs with crashing waves, and over 1,500 species of animals and plants. The area has also been home to different cultures throughout history providing a unique cultural experience as well.
But there is more to see in the area than just the shoreline. There are hiking trails that weave throughout peaks, grasslands, coves, and forests. And the park is only a short drive from San Francisco.
January through April is a great time to take in the wildlife while the wildflowers are in full bloom.
8. Channel Islands National Park
This national park is made up of five islands and a mile of ocean. The park is only accessible by boats or small planes which means you need to do a little planning for this trip before you arrive. However, it’s well worth the effort.
The park is the perfect destination for kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, whale watching, and those that love all that nature and the ocean have to offer. This park is not for those that want to shop and dine out as there aren’t options on the islands. It’s a serene destination for those looking to enjoy the natural elements. There are white sand beaches and sea caves.
With a range of activities, this park is great to visit at any time of the year. The spring provides a chance to see new babies, fall is perfect for diving and snorkeling, winter is when you can watch the migrating grey whales, and summer is stunning in itself.
9. Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is the newest of California’s national parks. This is a mountainous park full of hiking trails for all level hikers. The park is also a popular place for birdwatching.
Summer can be a hot time to visit but also allows you to avoid some of the crowds. Spring is a popular time to visit for birdwatching.
Plan your California national park trips
You may not be able to get to all of the parks this year, but it’s a great time to build your vacation list and start crossing them off one by one.
