California's National Parks

California is home to seven national parks and about twenty national trails, recreation areas, historic sites, memorials, and monuments. Go California Travel provides extensive coverage for all the national parks and their hiking trails, campsites, and more.

Below are summaries and links for all seven of the national parks, and a few of the other national sites.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five islands, each with their own unique animal and plant species, including the island fox and the Santa Cruz Island live-forever. Think of it as the Galapagos Islands of North America.

Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest and driest places in North America and the world, at that. Temperatures typically climb past 120 degrees in the summer. Death Valley is also famous for its elevation – 282 feet below sea level. Less famous, but an equal and contrasting part of the terrain is 14,505-foot Mount Whitney.

Joshua Tree National Park is filled with blooming cacti and those trees for which it is named. The rock formations are fascinating and well-beloved by rock climbers. The trail system, for hikers and others, is extensive.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is partly a preservation of the effects of volcanic activity and partly the preservation of active hydrothermic action, or, in other words, boiling springs, geysers, and mud pots. Over 150 miles of trail give you plenty of room to explore.

Redwood National Park and its high-reaching trees can be experienced from the road, sure, but many people take not only to the trails, but to the waterways. Kayaking underneath the spread of the branches is a real experience.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks have trees to dwarf the redwoods and visiting them during the bright oranges and reds of fall is almost blinding. Hiking is a must, but rock-climbing in the canyon is also popular. Only expert kayakers attempt these rivers.

Yosemite National Park is one of the United States’ original National Parks and the waterfalls, naturally, are still nothing short of glorious. After a hike or a bike past the falls, you may want to toss a line into one of the rivers, or take to the water on a raft or kayak. Skiing is also a big thing here.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes that famous bridge itself and Alcatraz Island offshore. The rich Muir Woods National Monument is also part of this area. Camping and picnicking are both a must here, as is simply stretching out and taking a walk.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a stretch of greenery that encompasses several museums and bumps right up against Los Angeles’ sprawl. If you’re looking for a good hike just outside the city, there may be no better choice.