All 9 National Parks in California Ranked From Best to Worst (Including Best Hikes & Time To Visit!)

As a former California transplant living in San Francisco, I made it my mission to get to as many California national parks as possible during the two years I spent living in the Bay Area. 

California is great for many, many reasons, but may I be so bold to say that this is the location of the best national parks in USA of all other states? 

Whether you are in the mood for a week long road trip or a one night camping trip, there are a few options at your disposal, a lá National Park Service. In this post, I rank the best national parks in California, perfect for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, families, couple getaways and more! 

How many national parks does California have?

There are nine total national parks in California, which is the most of any state in the US. It’s a long coast, and there’s a lot to see! My goal is to see all nine within my lifetime, but it would be super impressive to hit all nine in one trip. 

9 Best National Parks in California Ranked From Best to Worst

The 9 best national parks in California ranked by yours truly after a ton of exploring! 

1. Yosemite 

Hands down, this is my favorite national park in all of the United States (maybe even North America). Yosemite National Park is unmatched and undefeated in terms of views, natural beauty, and of course, hiking and camping. 

This is one of the best national parks in California for hiking in particular. Northern California is known for scenic and difficult terrain, but Yosemite is the crown jewel of hiking in California. 

Hiking North Dome was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. I backpacked and then camped out on the tip of North Dome, so I woke up to a gorgeous California sunrise on the sheer side of Half Dome. It’s iconic! 

The hiking in Yosemite is typically pretty crowded, challenging, and of course, stunningly beautiful. My favorites include the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail and the Mirror Lake Trail. 

In addition to amazing hiking, Yosemite has a ton of other features like the Half Dome Village and fun restaurants, local beer and pizza stops along the way. 

This is 1200 square miles of astounding beauty– waterfalls, wickedly tall trees, and sheer cliffs that look straight off movie screens. I cannot emphasize enough that Yosemite is the trip of a lifetime.

If you have the time, I definitely recommend camping or staying at Half Dome Village so you can make the most out of your trip. But there are plenty of amazing places to stay near Yosemite if you aren’t a glamper. 

More Yosemite Travel Articles For Planning

• Fun things to do in Mariposa (a gateway to Yosemite!)
• all the best Oakhurst + Bass Lake things to do (another gateway to Yosemite!) 
• Hiking in Mariposa Grove tips

2. Lassen 

As one of the most famous parks in California for its geothermal features and volcanoes, Lassen Volcanic National Park is an absolutely insane place to visit for the first time. Located in the crater of a volcano, this is a Martian-looking park that you must add to the top of your bucket list. 

If it’s your first time visiting an area with hot springs, just know this isn’t the best spot if you’re hoping to take a dip. These are for viewing not for bathing, unless you want to lose a leg. Bumpass Hell is probably the most well known of the hot springs in this area and people have literally lost legs in there. 

• but if you are looking for amazing California hot springs that are safe to soak in, these are our favorites! 

Beyond the hot springs, there are lakes, hiking trails, and plenty of flat camping sites for you to check out while you visit.  

It can be a bit difficult to find a time to actually get to Lassen. Because it is located in a mountainous region prone to snow, roads are closed until the summer.

That means your visiting window is from the end of July to October, typically. That’s not a hugeeee slot of time, but it is enough if you prioritize! 

I recommend camping inside the park so you are nearby all the best trails and attractions. 

3. Channel Islands 

Known as the Galapagos Island of the US or the Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park is the dream of all dreams when it comes to road trips along the PCH highway! 

Channel Island is so, so strange. It’s unlike any other on the list, and it is much more about the marine/water sports than the other options on this list.

Located on a series of tiny islands off the coast of Santa Barbara (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa), the Channel Islands are accessible via boat. The Santa Barbara Adventure Company is one of the easiest ways to get there, and they lead both kayak and scuba adventures on the islands. 

In addition to tons of water sport accessibility, East Anacapa has great hiking trails that are short and very relaxing overlooking the gorgeous Pacific ocean views. Potato Head is one of the most well known trailheads, but be warned it is moderately challenging.

One of the coolest aspects of the islands is that you can camp here (!!). While the website notes it is “not for the faint of heart,” I think it would be an incredible place to wake up. Even if the elements are exposed on a remote location such as an island. 

This is one of the best national parks in California for families, namely for its location so close to Santa Barbara. I am a Santa Barbara stan, and I truly believe that it is the most underrated city in all of California. Plus, with an awesome zoo and a walkable downtown, it’s a great city for families. 

4. Joshua Tree 

Joshua Tree National Park is a very strange, very unique place. Known for its Dr. Seuss-style shaped trees and an abundance of bats, I found myself slightly spooked out but totally enthralled while I was visiting. 

What’s so great about Joshua Tree is definitely the hiking and camping. With an abundance of BLM land to camp on for free, all you need is a car to drive in and a good tent to keep out all the desert sand. 

In terms of hiking, the hiking here is fairly easy and doesn’t require much more than a pair of sturdy sneakers. A friend of mine hiked the entire trip in a pair of Converse. So any experience level is welcome. 

The top two trails for newcomers include Ryan Mountain, a moderate out and back, and Hidden Valley, a short loop. Both are gorgeous amid the hot, dry desert heat. An easy stop with almost no hiking is the famous Skull Rock. 

This is not one of the best national parks in California summer. The heat would be a little too unbearable for outdoor activities. 

In addition to outdoor stuff, Joshua Tree is located in a super cool area with tons of vintage shopping, great restaurants, and Air Bnbs if camping isn’t quite your thing.

What I valued most about my time in Joshua Tree was the night gazing. I’ve never slept under a sky quite that clear– I was even able to see my first shooting star. The desert views are full of strange trees, massive boulders, and you can see for miles and miles and miles. 

You can also easily add on a quick trip to nearby Palm Springs! 

5. Redwoods 

I have never been anywhere with quite so much information on trees as the Redwood National Park. Also known as the Avenue of the Giants, the Redwoods are an amazing area to travel to for record breaking trees and stunning hikes. While the coastal redwoods near Big Sur are cool, nothing can touch the national park. 

You can complete a drive through the Avenue of the Giants that spans just about 29 miles. Along the way, there are plenty of both long and short hikes in the shaded trails of the Redwood forest. You will definitely want to get out of the car in order to get the full experience!  

You also can’t miss nearby Fern Canyon which has major Jurrasic Park vibes! 

The weather is moderate pretty much year round, but be sure to check before you visit. There are cold snaps and heat waves during winter and summer, so you’ll want to pack accordingly. 

My biggest bit of advice would be to make sure you pack real hiking boots– many of the trails are mulchy and can be slippery in the rain! 

6. Sequoia 

So contrary to popular belief, the Sequoia National Park is not the same thing as Kings Canyon, which is ranked a little lower on this list. Located very close to one another in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I can understand the confusion.

But they really are two different parks! 

Sequoia National Park is home to General Sherman (aka the Sherman Tree), the largest tree in the entire United States. The sequoias make the redwoods look like a bunch of twigs. I’m kidding, but only kind of. Check out the Giant Forest Museum to see what I’m talking about. 

It’s a little more than four hours away from San Francisco. Perfect for Californians getting away from the city or travelers flying into SFO. 

One cool thing about Sequoaia is that it is a totally do-able trip, even in the winter months. I would even argue this is one of the best national Parks in California in the winter. It’s one of those rare perfect California winter activities. 

You’ll avoid crowds that the summer piles on– just be sure to bring snow chains!

One other element of the park is the visitor’s center. While I understand this is less important than the views, the weather conditions, and the hiking when it comes to national parks, this is one of the best visitor’s centers I’ve been to. We visited before we started hiking, and it totally hyped us up for the day’s adventure. 

PS book this amazing glass house airbnb during your visit! 

7. Death Valley 

Death Valley National Park is one of the best parks in California if you find yourself called to the desert. 

With clear blue skies and tons of mountains as far as the eye can see, this is a park to visit when you are in need of some good old drying out. 

One of the coolest parts of Death Valley has to be the sand dunes. They’re pretty incredible, so much so that Star Wars movies have used them as sets for different desert scenes. The sunset and sunrise are especially exciting here, so be sure to consider the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail. 

Another great hike is the Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail. With only 6 feet of elevation, this is a very technically easy hike that will take you into the totally alien landscape of the salt flats. It’s so bizarre looking, but definitely worth the trek. 

While visiting, don’t forget that you are quite literally in the desert of southern California! Death Valley can be dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Make sure you have water literally everywhere. It can be easy to dry out in the climate.

Be super cautious of animals in the area, and have your alerts on so you can be notified of any flash floods in the area. 

8. Kings Canyon 

While it is a little bit lower on the list, Kings Canyon National Park is still one of the most beautiful places in the world. It just has some very stiff competition!

As I said earlier, Sequoias and Kings Canyon National Parks are right next to each other. The biggest difference is just in how much stuff there is to do– Kings Canyon has less access to guided tours, museums, and activities of that nature. The outdoor access is pretty similar, and Kings Canyon is less crowded typically. 

In terms of hiking, this is some of the best hiking in the state. I found myself completely lost in the trees, only to be spit out onto a peak overlooking the mountains. Some of the most popular hikes include Redwood Canyon Trail, Big Baldy Trail, and Mist Falls Trail. 

Mist Falls in particular is pretty amazing. You walk up a granite staircase (naturally occurring, of course) right into a massive waterfall that thunders year round. It definitely feels like something out of a Disney ride. 

Grant Grove and the Sherman Tree are also popular spots in/near the park! There’s trails, areas for cross country skiing, cabins and lots of other things to do nearby. In addition to the hiking and camping opportunities, Kings Canyon has the historic John Muir Lodge, which is open seasonally.

John Muir is basically the patron saint of California, so this is a pretty cool feature of the park. 

9. Pinnacles 

Just about an hour and a half from the Bay Area, Pinnacles National Park is a fantastic day trip. While it ranks at the bottom of this impressive list, the Pinnacles have gorgeous hiking trails, massive rock formations that you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the Bay.

Located just south of San Jose below the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pinnacles were established as a national park only in 2013, so it’s still very rural. There’s a ton of undisturbed wildlife, and you’ll find yourself more likely to be alone on a trail rather than riddled with other guests.

More rural also means less cell service, so make sure you download all maps ahead of time.

My biggest bit of advice would be to visit Pinnacles either in winter or fall– NEVER summer. San Jose, unlike the rest of the Bay, is pretty warm year round. The summers aren’t just warm, but are instead extremely hot. This is a hiking experience to escape the cold of the Bay, sure. Just don’t plan your escape for the summer months. 

The Tulas Caves are open for exploration, but only depending on the schedule of the bats within them, so make sure you schedule accordingly. 

Best National Parks In California For Summer

If you’re looking for the best national parks in California for the summer season, here’s my short list (separate from my ranking)! 

• Yosemite National Park: TBH, Yosemite is great to visit year round, but if you’re looking to climb like I did, Spring and Summer are probably the best. You can also catch some of the best fall colors in Yosemite. 
• Lassen National Park: As mentioned above, there’s a short season to visit this park between July and October. 
• Channel Islands National Park: Another year-round destination, but you get the most of the beaches in summer for sure! 
• Redwoods National Park: You could go in the winter, but you’d have to prep a little more for the drive for potential snow, ice and rain! 
• Kings Canyon National Park: This could go either way, but hiking in spring and summer is so much better! 

Best National Parks in California For Winter

And my short list of the best national parks in California for the winter season! 

• Joshua Tree National Park: Not a great place to be in the summer because the heat is nearly unbearable, so definitely plan for a winter getaway! 
• Redwoods National Park: Like I said, moderate weather year-round, but just check the weather ahead of time in case you need to take precautions like snow chains! 
• Sequoia National Park: Another year-round spot, but you’ll probably see less crowds in the winter! Just pack accordingly! 
• Death Valley National Park: Deserts are best in winter. I said it! 
• Pinnacles National Park: It’s way too hot to visit in the summer, so definitely plan for a winter visit! 

Not A National Park But Worth It

Not every state park is elevated to national park level! But California has some amazing state parks and other outdoor treasures that rival other states’ national parks. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Devils Postpile National Monument
2. Point Reyes National Seashore
3. Muir Woods
4. Big Trees State Park

Of all the places there are in the world, California is one my favorite to explore for its nature. There is just such diversity. You can see the largest tree in the world on the same day you tan out on the beach all afternoon. I don’t know if there’s any other place in the world where you can do that!

I didn’t grow up in a family that camped or hiked. These were hobbies I grew into as an adult, mostly because I moved to California after college. You can’t live in California and not become a Patagonia-wearing, REI-shopping nature freak. 

It’s just too beautiful! And huge kudos to the National Park System employees for keeping the parks clean and safe! 

No matter where you start on the list, I highly recommend trying to hit each spot on your next journey to California. I think you’ll discover just how difficult it was to rank these locations. Each one is just that special.