National Parks in California
California has 9 national parks: Channel Islands National Park, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Redwood National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park. Channel Islands requires a reservation in season.
Fees and rules checked against NPS.gov · Updated October 6, 2026
Channel Islands
Five wild, boat-access-only islands off the Southern California coast with sea caves and island foxes
Death Valley
The hottest, driest and lowest national park, with salt flats, dunes and colorful canyons
Joshua Tree
Where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, full of Joshua trees and granite boulders
Kings Canyon
A glacier-carved canyon over a mile deep, plus the giant General Grant Tree.
Lassen Volcanic
Steaming hydrothermal areas, a climbable volcano and alpine lakes in Northern California
Pinnacles
Volcanic rock spires, talus caves and soaring California condors in the Gabilan Mountains
Redwood
The world's tallest trees, wild beaches and Roosevelt elk on California's far north coast
Sequoia
Home of the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume.
Yosemite
Granite cliffs, giant sequoias and some of the tallest waterfalls in North America.
Compare the parks
| Park | Entry | Reservation | Best time to go | How long to stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | Free entry | Required in season | Spring brings wildflowers and green hills, while late summer and fall offer the calmest seas, the warmest water for snorkeling and kayaking, and good whale watching. | A day trip to Santa Cruz or Anacapa shows you the park; camp one or two nights to hike farther and kayak. |
| Death Valley | $30 per car | Not required | November through March brings comfortable daytime temperatures, and spring can bring wildflowers after a wet winter. | Two days covers the main sights; three to four days lets you explore the far corners. |
| Joshua Tree | $30 per car | Not required | October through April brings mild days in the 60s to 80s, while summer highs often top 100 degrees. | One full day covers the highlights; two or three days lets you hike, climb and stargaze. |
| Kings Canyon | $35 per car | Not required | June through mid-October, when Highway 180 into Cedar Grove is open and the waterfalls and river trails are at their best. | Plan one day for Grant Grove and a second day for Cedar Grove. |
| Lassen Volcanic | $30 per car | Not required | July through early October is best, when the highway and high trails are usually snow-free and the campgrounds are open. | One full day covers the main highway stops; two or three days lets you climb Lassen Peak and visit Butte Lake. |
| Pinnacles | $30 per car | Not required | March through May bring wildflowers, flowing creeks and mild temperatures, and October and November are cooler and quieter after the summer heat. | One full day covers the High Peaks and a cave; stay two days to see both sides of the park. |
| Redwood | Free entry | Not required | Late spring through early fall brings the driest weather, and September and October offer fewer crowds and no Fern Canyon reservation. | Two days lets you see both the north and south ends of the parks. |
| Sequoia | $35 per car | Not required | June through October, when all roads are usually open; September and October bring smaller crowds and mild days. | Plan two days to see Giant Forest and the foothills, or three with Mineral King. |
| Yosemite | $35 per car | Not required | May and June for waterfalls at full roar. September and October for calm weather and thinner crowds. Mid-February for the Horsetail Fall "firefall" at sunset. | 2 days for the Valley; 3 to 4 to add Tuolumne and the sequoias. |
Planning guides
- Best Time to Visit Yosemite National ParkWhen to visit Yosemite: waterfall peak in May and June, Tioga and Glacier Point road seasons, February Firefall, winter access and the 2026 reservation status.
- How Many Days Do You Need in Yosemite?Plan 2 days for Yosemite Valley and 3 to 4 to add Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne. Sample itineraries plus where to stay inside and outside the park.
- Best Hikes in Yosemite National ParkThe best Yosemite hikes, from easy waterfall walks to the Mist Trail and Half Dome, with NPS distances, elevation gain, permits and October 2026 closures.
- Camping in Yosemite National Park: Campgrounds, Reservations and TipsAll 13 Yosemite campgrounds with sites, fees, RV limits and 2026 dates, plus how the 15th-of-the-month reservation release works and where to camp nearby.
Nearby parks in other states
- Crater Lake National ParkOregon · about 143 miles as the crow flies
- Zion National ParkUtah · about 220 miles as the crow flies
- Great Basin National ParkNevada · about 228 miles as the crow flies
- Grand Canyon National ParkArizona · about 258 miles as the crow flies
- Bryce Canyon National ParkUtah · about 271 miles as the crow flies
See the full list of U.S. national parks · Open the park map · Compare park passes