Home to some of the world’s most incredible and mighty national parks, California boasts a distinctive natural landscape, from the tallest waterfalls and largest trees to the most extreme temperatures and unique flora. Each of these iconic parks holds fascinating facts that will inspire you to visit and explore their incredible beauty.
1. Yosemite National Park was America’s first government-protected park, designated a public trust by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Famous for its steep waterfalls and massive granite formations, this parkland attracts more than four million visitors each year. Hike up to Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America, and stop at Wawona Tunnel View to catch Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Valley within one panoramic photo.
2. Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the Lower 48, and it sits 279 feet below sea level. This 3.3-million-acre park is the hottest and driest spot in America, with temperatures that can reach above 120 degrees in the summer. Explore the park’s remarkably diverse desert landscapes, enormous dunes, rugged badlands, expansive salt flats, and winding canyons. Hike to panoramic overlooks or drive to see dramatic rock formations, every experience offers a sense of adventure.
3. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park is home to 200 caves, including the state’s longest cavern. One of those caverns is Crystal Cave, where you can crawl through passages on the Wild Cave Tour. Caves aside, the park is best known for its gigantic sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest living thing in the world. Don’t miss the chance to drive through a tree (Tunnel Log), or get a panoramic view from the top of Moro Rock, which requires a 350-step climb.
4. The only place on Earth that features all four types of volcanoes, shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite, is Lassen Volcanic National Park. The commanding Mount Lassen last erupted in 1915 and was the most recent volcanic activity in the continental US until Mount St. Helens blew in 1980. Here, you can stroll around the peaceful Manzanita Lake or stop by the bubbling and steaming pots of Sulphur Works, among many other experiences in nature.
5. For all the climbing enthusiasts, Joshua Tree National Park’s 8,000 rock climbing routes are a major draw. Other than being a climber’s paradise, one can experience everything here from hiking and exploring to relaxing and stargazing. The park lies at an ecological crossroads, where the high Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert, resulting in stunning desert flora.
6. Santa Cruz Island, in Channel Islands National Park, is the largest island in California, almost three times the size of Manhattan. Located in Santa Barbara County, the Channel Islands are only 20 miles from Ventura and are accessible by boat or plane from Ventura Harbor (home to the park’s visitor’s centre) and Oxnard Harbor. Paddle a kayak, surf, snorkel, hike, or go whale watching on this gorgeous chain of five islands.
7. At 379.7 feet, Hyperion in Redwood National and State Parks is the tallest known coastal redwood. The sight of California’s northern coastal trees is awe-inspiring, as are the other features of Redwood National and State Parks. Keep an eye out for Roosevelt elk, the redwoods’ largest males, which can weigh around 1,100 pounds. Do not miss the 9-mile round-trip hike to Fern Canyon on James Irvine Trails. The fern-dripped wilderness, used as a backdrop for Jurassic Park 2, is well worth the trip.
8. Pinnacles National Park is the youngest in the state of California and was only designated a national park in 2013. Although the Pinnacles Volcanic Formation developed more than 20 million years ago, this national park in Salinas Valley is filled with volcanic rocks, craggy spires, and wildflowers. The park is split between two entrances and offers year-round camping on the east side, as well as rock climbing or bird-watching opportunities throughout the park.