California National Parks Road Trip — What You Need to Know

This California National Parks road trip itinerary will cover the six southernmost parks starting from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas. This includes the latest park reservation information for 2024 and all the details to plan a great road trip. This itinerary can be customized based on the number of days you have available and where you want to spend more or less time. Overall, California has nine national parks—more than any other state—and each one is very unique. This guide will provide the ideal amount of time in each park for a one or two-week itinerary along with all the best things to do in each park.

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Where to start

This itinerary will provide options for starting in either Los Angeles or Las Vegas, both are done as a loop and cover the same stops starting in either location. If you’re flying, consider flight costs and times as well as accommodation costs for the start and end of the trip. 

Within the two itinerary options, it will include the ideal number of days for a 2-week CA road trip, but this can be customized. The trips can also be reversed depending on the accommodation availability. If you’re looking for a 1-week CA road trip there are tips on what to cut and how to see the most in a short amount of time. Both itineraries leave a travel day at the start and end of the trip.

The ideal length of time for the CA National Parks

The ideal length of time for this trip is two weeks or more, but it can be modified based on the time you have available. Modifying for a 1-week trip will require removing 1-2 parks and we recommend Yosemite and possibly Death Valley as these parks require more time to see them and could be their own trips. The other option is going from LA to Yosemite and removing Channel Islands. If you have more time beyond 2 weeks consider adding days to any of the parks or add Pinnacles National Park. Pinnacles could be added between Channel Islands and Yosemite. The other national parks in California in the north are Lassen Volcanic National Park and Redwoods National Park. These parks won’t be included in this trip guide but they could be added with more time.

Channel Islands National Park

This park includes five islands and their surrounding one mile of the ocean off the Pacific coast of California. The islands are relatively undeveloped and more than 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the park. One hundred and forty-five of these species are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world.

What to know

Island Packers is the only ferry boat company that provides transportation to the islands. Santa Cruz Island is the most popular and will have the most availability, but there are other islands with more limited service as well as a multi-island option.  There are no services or lodging on the islands so visitors need to bring all their own food and water.

The visitor centers are mainland in Ventura and Santa Barbara. It’s easy to check out Ventura visitor center while waiting for the ferry boat and there are some fun interactive exhibits for kids.

Things to do in the Channel Islands

• Take the Island Packers ferry to one of the islands and hike and explore the island. Keep an eye out for the island fox! They also have whale and wildlife cruises. We were fortunate to see a superpod of dolphins on our way to Santa Cruz Island with Island Packers.
• In the summer it’s popular to kayak through the sea caves. Channel Islands Adventure Company is the authorized guide through the park service for kayaking and snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island. Migrating gray whales can be spotted in the winter and spectacular wildflower displays in the spring.
• If you’re looking to experience the wildlife around the islands, but not go to the islands and hike, consider a whale and dolphin-watching cruise. These are much shorter trips than the Island Packers ferry and can be good for younger kids.
• If you’re staying in Oxnard or Ventura with kids and have extra time, there is a wonderful pirate playground and beach at Oxnard Beach.

Where to stay for the Channel Islands

Ventura or Oxnard are great oceanside towns to stay in that are very close to where the Island Packers ferries leave from Ventura Harbor to Channel Islands.

We loved staying in a vacation rental right across from Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard, but there are so many great options you can find here.

If hotels are your preferred accommodation option you can find hotels in Ventura or Oxnard here.

Camping is available on the islands although careful planning of reservations is necessary to coordinate with the available ferry times. It is recommended to first check for available campsites but then book ferry transportation through Island Packers to the island before actually reserving a campsite. There are no services on the island, so all gear has to be brought to the island. It’s good to review the different amenities of the islands before booking. For example, water is available on Santa Cruz Island and there were newer bathrooms available, but water is not available on all the islands and there can be a longer hike required to reach the campsites.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and it was first protected as a National Park in 1890. It is famed for its granite icons such as Half Dome, El Capitan as well as its incredible waterfalls: Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls is one of North America’s tallest waterfalls at 2,425 feet high. The park has deep valleys, grand meadows, and ancient giant sequoias and has so much to offer in all seasons. Reservations are required for Yosemite in February when thousands of tourists visit to see Horsetail Falls glow orange when backlit by the sunset.

Are park reservations required for Yosemite?

• The National Park Service often announces here whether they will require advance park reservations for the upcoming season. The requirements often change year to year, and it’s good to plan in advance.
• The park also announces whether reservations for “Firefall” at Horsetail Falls are needed on a year to year basis. This takes place mid–to late February.
• If required, reservations often sell out quickly through recreation.gov, but a portion of reservations are often held until two days prior, so there is hope if you don’t get them during first release.
• Note in the past: visitors entering with a tour group or on a public YARTS bus, and those with in-park camping or lodging reservations do not typically need entry reservations. Similarly, those with wilderness or Half Dome permits have not needed an additional entry reservation.

What to know

• Tioga Road usually opens in late May or June. Check current road conditions and chain restrictions by calling 209-372-0200.
• Bears remain active in the park year-round. Please be aware of how to store food when in the park.
• Always check park conditions before a visit, especially during fire season when smoke and fires can lead to closures or restrictions.
• GuideAlong Audio Guide is a great audio tour that teaches you about the park as you drive and shares what stops not to miss. Download the app before entering the park (wifi spotty) and it will tell you about what you’re seeing and so much more as you enter the park. Kids love it!

Things to do in Yosemite

There aren’t many places that can compare to Yosemite’s 800 miles of hiking trails. Check here for a complete list but every hike we did was so impressive.

• Hikes we loved: Vernal Falls, Mist Trail, Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Falls.
• Biking is popular in Yosemite and can be a great option for getting around as traffic can be difficult inside the park. Yosemite Valley Floor Tour is a two-hour tour of the main sights in Yosemite Valley led by park rangers and naturalists. It’s not always running so check here for availability. There are also free shuttle buses in the valley depending on the season.
• Tunnel View – one of the iconic vantage points in Yosemite and is great at sunrise. Head south on Hwy 41 toward Glacier Point. El Capitan is unmistakable as the giant rock formation on the left. It’s also a great view of Bridalveil Fall on the right and Half Dome in the distance.
• Happy Isles Art and Nature Center in the park is great for families with kids as it offers natural history exhibits, interactive displays, and art workshops. 
• If you have extra time and are staying in Mariposa check out this amazing animal sanctuary through AirB&B Experiences called Cuddler with Critters. Our kids loved it as a nice break from hiking, and we love any unique outdoor experience we can add on.

Where to stay for Yosemite

There are great vacation home rentals in nearby El Portal, Midpines, and Mariposa as well as some even on private land within the park (Foresta and Wawona). We stayed in this incredible Mariposa rental with kids and loved it, and bonus, it has EV charging.

There are many accommodation options within the park. If you can find availability, it’s very convenient and can help maximize time in the park as well as seeing the most popular sights at off times.

AutoCamp Yosemite: Offers overnight lodging in modern Airstream suites and glamping within 40 min of the park entrance.

Camping in Yosemite: If you get the opportunity to camp in Yosemite, you will not be disappointed. Campsites in Yosemite are extremely popular and typically sell out in minutes. Campsites in the park are available up to five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7am PT here.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

In 1890 Congress established Sequoia National Park as a permanent refuge for the sequoia trees. As awareness grew of the importance of the landscape and surrounding habitats the park was expanded several times. It was not until 1940 that Kings Canyon National Park was established and with this addition, there are over 800,000 acres of protected land in both parks. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are also home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,494 feet, and the Kings River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America.

Sequoia is the more popular of the two parks so you’ll find more crowds, but it’s very easy to see both parks in one visit. When visiting you can drive between and within both parks on the scenic Generals Highways (closed Jan 1-mid-March).

The parks face significant threats due to climate change, rising temperatures with lessening precipitation, and more severe wildfires. The impacts of the most recent KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were devastating. Be aware that not all areas and sequoia groves may be accessible and it’s always best to check the national park service site as things change frequently.

What to know

The roads in these parks are steep with narrow switchbacks. There are vehicle length limits and advisories are often in place. If you’ll be traveling with anyone who gets motion sickness, pack medication and prepare as driving can be difficult in these parks. Tire chains are often required November-April and there is no gas available in the parks.

Do your route planning in advance as the Generals Highways is closed from Jan 1-Mid-March and this connects the two parks. The Kings Canyon Scenic byway is also only open mid-May to mid-Oct and closures can dramatically change your route.

Cell service is very limited in these parks so download this area in Google Maps before you go. GPS also often gives the wrong location for the park entrances here so review directions on the park service page.

The elevation varies greatly from 1,370 feet to 14,494 feet so this means it can be 70 and sunny in the foothills and snowing and cold at higher elevations in the park requiring chains at the entrance. Pack in layers and call this number (559) 565-3341 for the latest weather and road conditions.

Things to do in Sequoia/Kings Canyon

• Visit the Giant Forest to see the Big Trees Trail and the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth. 
• Tunnel Log is a passageway that was carved into a fallen tree. It’s located on Crescent Meadow Road in the Giant Forest.
• Moro Rock at sunset. This experience not to miss the views are amazing. Climb the 350 stairs to the top of Moro Rock and it offers a great reward with some of the best views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. 
• The Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is a beautiful, easy hike through an alpine forest and it has wildflowers in the spring/summer. 
• Visit Crystal Cave: seeing the cave does require a guided tour and they are offered from spring through fall and take a half-day. Tour reservations are needed in advance.

What to see in Kings Canyon

The Grant Grove area is where you can view the General Grant Tree (the second largest in the world). Walk a paved .3-mile trail looping around the trees and visit neighboring giant trees, including the Fallen Monarch. The Fallen Monarch is a hollow, downed sequoia, and because of its immense size, it was once used as a stable for the US cavalry’s horses. This was such a fun area with lots to see.

Kings Canyon Panoramic Point: This takes about 30 minutes of driving on a narrow, curvy road to get to the viewpoint. If you’re short on time, this can be skipped over the Grant Grove area.

Where to stay for Sequoia/Kings Canyon

There are great vacation rentals near the park. We always look for unique stays and loved our time at this lovely place in Three Rivers, and it was so close to the park entrance.

You can find hotels in Three Rivers here.
You can find hotels in Visalia here. 
There is camping in the parks you can find here or many other RV and campgrounds in the surrounding area.

Death Valley

Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. It is also the hottest, driest, and lowest of all the national parks in the US and in North America. But with the extremes, take extra planning and awareness when visiting. This park is vast and has so much to offer. This is also the park, weather-wise, that can be very challenging to pair with the other parks. Temperatures average over 100 degrees for five months out of the year, so planning is important.

What to know

Temperatures average 100°F (38°C) from May-September and the weather and desert conditions are very unforgiving. The park service advises visitors to travel prepared to survive: stay on paved roads in the summer. If your car breaks down, stay with it until help comes. Carry extra water, food, and supplies needed.

Death Valley and the surrounding area is a dead zone for cell service and shouldn’t be depended on for navigation or assistance. Download the Google map of the area and/or carry a paper map and have a plan before you go.

The month you go does impact what you can do in the park due to the extreme temperatures, so check out our Death Valley guide which gives details on when to go and what to do based on each season.

Things to do in Death Valley

• Golden Canyon and Mosaic Canyon hikes are our favorites but are difficult to do if it’s too hot as there’s very little shade. Consider going early!
• Catch the sunset at Zabriskie Point, it’s an amazing viewpoint.
• Spring is wildflower season and typically runs from Mid-February to Mid-April.
• Scenic drives are best if you need to go in the summer. Badwater Basin or Artists Drive are good options. Other popular sites like Devils Golf Course, Zabriskie Point, and Dantes View can also be seen from your car or with a 5-minute walk.
• Death Valley has some of the best stargazing anywhere in the world don’t miss it. Death Valley earned the designation as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park. Stargazing from Harmony Borax Works or anywhere in the park away from light is great.
• Check out other things to do in this park broken down by season here.

Where to stay for Death Valley

With Death Valley being the largest national park it takes a long time to see so maximizing your time can be important. If you only have a short time to visit try to stay in the park, although it will be more expensive, this will save you the one-hour each way commuting time. The Oasis accommodations are the most centrally located inside the park and there are other hotels in the area. Pahrump is the closest town with the most accommodations and we found the drive not too bad for a two-night or more stay. The vacation rentals in the area can be a bit hit or miss and wifi availability is limited so check your cell provider’s coverage map and download Google Maps before a visit.

Joshua Tree National Park

This park includes two sections of desert, each with different ecosystems based on their elevation: the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert. Joshua Tree was originally declared a national monument in 1936 and then was redesignated as a national park in 1994.

The namesake Joshua trees take 60 years to mature, live for more than 500 years, and bloom between Feb-April. The Joshua trees are in danger due to climate change and development, and scientists predict that by 2070 Joshua Tree National Park could lose almost all of its Joshua tree habitat. The trees are dying off because of hotter, drier conditions, with very few younger trees becoming established. So go see it while you can and protect the park as a visitor. Joshua Tree has such a bohemian, relaxing feel to it, and it’s an easy park to visit.

What to know

The visitor centers for this park are located outside the park. You can still get trail maps when you enter, but remember to stop at one of these locations if you have questions on hikes or other park information before you enter.

Get gas before you enter the park. It’s a lot of driving, and there are no options for gas or services within the park. Bring enough water for the length of your visit because there is no running water in most areas of the park.

No cell service: in most of the park, there is no cell service. Make sure to have a paper map or have Google Maps downloaded.

Things to do in Joshua Tree

• Skull Rock: Take an easy hike, lots of boulder climbing, desert washes, and of course, seeing Skull Rock.
• Walk the short pathway in the Cholla Cactus Garden filled with thousands of densely concentrated, naturally growing cholla cactus. 
• Hall of Horrors: a great one to go at golden hour just before sunset. It’s a fun area to explore; kids loved climbing on the rocks and searching for the secret entrance. If you want a hint, the entrance is actually up above, and if you want a spoiler, this video can help you find it. 
• Find other hikes in Joshua Tree.
• Don’t miss the sunset at the highest point in the park Keys View.
• Stargaze: Joshua Tree has some of the darkest night skies in Southern California and has been designated an International Dark Sky Park. Visitors can see the stars, planets, meteors, and even the Milky Way if you’re lucky without much in the way of light pollution. The east side of the park is best for stargazing away from light.
• If you have an extra day in the area, do not miss the Ladder Canyon Hike an hour south in Mecca, CA. This is a great adventure hike that has lots of fun ladders but does require a 4WD vehicle to access the trailhead.

Where to stay for Joshua Tree

One of the great things about a visit to Joshua Tree is the number of great vacation rentals nearby that are less than a half-hour from the park and are so fun and unique. The best areas to stay close to the park are Yucca Valley or Twentynine Palms. It’s nice how easy this park is to access.

Find Vacation Rentals near Joshua Tree 

Find hotels near Joshua Tree

Here are a couple of unique vacation rentals in Joshua Tree, but really, there are so many. We stayed here and loved the location and outdoor space. We also considered this one that is a little more remote but is beautifully designed and has great outdoor space.

Lastly, if you want to camp in Joshua Tree there are reservable and first-come sites available as well as camping outside the park. Find more information here.

California National Parks Road Trip Planning Tips

Best time of year to visit California National Parks

The parks in this itinerary have a wide variety of altitudes and climates, but the ideal time to do this trip is in May or September. Spring or fall is when the majority of the parks on this itinerary are accessible, but the crowds are lower. Going in the summer is great for accessibility, but there are greater crowds in the national parks and Death Valley is quite limited due to the extreme heat.

In Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon there are seasonal road closures due to snow. Snow can come as early as October and closed roads and trails don’t typically open until May or June. Late May and early June is the best time to view waterfalls in Yosemite, from the freshly melted snow and September offers cooler temperatures in most parks ideal for hiking. When visiting Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon in the winter or spring you’ll want to be prepared with snow chains that are frequently required by the national park to enter. We learned this the hard way on a beautiful day in Sequoia where there was a chance of snow at the higher elevations in the park and they were still required to enter.

Death Valley is the outlier and will require careful planning as temperatures in May and September are already in the 100’s. Please see the temperatures and timing for the when to visit Death Valley

Wildfire season
Historically, wildfires are most likely to happen between May and October in California, but this has been extending longer and in areas not previously impacted. Northern California’s fire season has been extended year-round and a fire can happen in any month — especially amid a changing climate when droughts are becoming more common. Check the conditions before you go.

Map of California National Parks Road Trip

Car rentals for a California Road Trip

Car rentals are in high demand right now and prices are sky-high with limited availability. The best option is returning the vehicle to the same location as often it can be a lot more expensive for returning the vehicle to a different location. Also, consider a peer-to-peer car rental through Turo. It can be a great way to save on cost and you can search for the exact amenities in a vehicle you want for a road trip. Remember to be aware of whether the vehicle requires premium fuel as gas prices can be very high in California. Bonus, some allow you to rent cooler, rooftop campers, and other extras that are great for a road trip. Check out our tips for using Turo before you book.

What to pack for CA National Parks Road Trip

• National Park Pass: seeing this many national parks in one trip the annual American the Beautiful Pass will be your best option. The pass is not available for immediate download and isn’t always available at all entrance gates. If you happen to have a 4th grader in your family make sure to check out the Every Kid Outdoors program as they get a free park pass for them and their family for a year.
• Layers! In any season the temperatures in these parks can vary greatly. Check out any of these other gear-related posts that might be helpful:
  • Hiking Gear for Kids Guide
  • The Best Men’s Hiking Pants
  • Women’s hiking shirts for hot weather
• Comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners for versatility.
• Sun protection
• Reusable water bottle
• Your patience! With the popularity of the national parks, it’s important to plan ahead and bring extra snacks and water for unforeseen changes.

Lastly, we hope this road trip through the California National Parks was helpful. A road trip is such a great way to see so many parks in a short amount of time. You will be amazed at the dramatically different landscapes, temperatures, and terrain you’ll cover. If you’re traveling with kids know that the national parks have so much to offer on a family vacation.