Largely thanks to Hollywood, the state of California is a mecca for arts and entertainment. However, the state also deserves status as an outdoor wonderland.
With nine national parks and an impressive 280 state parks, California certainly has much to offer, in both opportunity and acreage.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Yosemite National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Nearest City: Redding, California
Located in the northeastern region of the state, Lassen Volcanic National Park protects one of the most breathtaking and unique natural areas in California.
The park’s most notable feature is Lassen Peak, a volcano located amongst California’s famous Cascade Mountain Range. It’s a plug dome volcano, the largest of its kind in the entire world.
However, Lassen Volcanic National Park contains more than one volcano. In fact, it’s actually one of the only places in the world with all four types.
In addition to this ensemble, Lassen also protects several volcanic lakes, an elaborate display of hiking trails, and several camping areas.
Redwood National and State Parks
Nearest City: Orick, California
The Redwood National and State Parks in California are co-managed by the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Located along the western coast of northern California, these protect endemic species of the area, including the coastal redwood.
Jedidiah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek are three of the most popular and largest state parks included in the collection. These parks offer visitors the opportunity to walk amongst some of the largest trees in the world, set up camp within California’s idyllic western coast, and kayak along the Smith River.
The Redwood National and State Parks also manage the tall trees grove, where visitors can crane their necks and admire trees over 300 feet tall.
Entry to the tall trees grove requires a permit, obtained from the visitor centers.
Yosemite National Park
Nearest City: Mariposa, California
Yosemite National Park was the third national park the National Park Service developed and protected. First created in October of 1890, it’s consistently one of the most visited parks in the United States.
The park also boasts diverse populations of wildlife, geologic formations, and dense acres of hardwood forest.
In total, Yosemite National Park covers almost 750,000 acres. Visitors will find an endless supply of outdoor experiences, several protected habitats, and opportunities to learn more about the park’s cultural ties.
Wildlife species include black bears, bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, foxes, and bobcats. You might be lucky enough to spot these upon your arrival.
However, take care to keep your distance—these wildlife species are indeed wild.
Joshua Tree National Park
Nearest City: Twentynine Palms
Featured on album covers of popular bands such as the Eagles and U2, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most iconic locations in all of California.
It protects a desert shrub environment scattered with Joshua Trees. These give the park its name.
Interestingly, however, the Joshua Tree isn’t a tree at all. Rather, it’s a unique species of yucca (Yucca brevifolia).
Composed of acreage from the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, the park’s ecosystem and environment is largely dictated by elevation. The Mojave Desert resides at a higher elevation, and thus is quite cooler than the lower Colorado Desert.
Visitors will find opportunities to hike, camp, rock climb, and see breathtaking sights.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Nearest City: Visalia, California
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park reside in the southern ranges of the Sierra Nevada. Together, the two parks manage more than 1,350 square miles. These protect diverse populations of flora and fauna.
Every year, over 1.5 million visitors arrive at Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park to experience its uniqueness and undeveloped acres of wilderness.
Recreation attractions include hiking trails, groves of large sequoia trees, waterfalls, and a series of developed and undeveloped camping areas.
The two parks continue to work together, largely due to proximity and overlap of species.
A Limitless Landscape
The state of California came to fame as a natural paradise via the words of renowned naturalist, John Muir. He is often considered the “father” of national parks.
It’s not hard to understand why California’s beauty so moved him. With a diverse landscape, extensive wildlife, and incredible natural phenomena, the Golden State deserves its nickname and then some.
That said, they’re far from the only parks worth visiting! “America the beautiful” isn’t just a saying. These vast parks with what seem like endless lands litter states such as Oregon, Utah, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, as well as many others.