Explore the map of California showing all the national parks, California is home to nine national parks, more than any other state, showcasing its diverse landscapes and natural beauty. Yosemite National Park, established in 1890, is famous for its towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias, attracting over 4 million visitors annually. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks protect the largest trees on earth, including the General Sherman Tree, which stands 275 feet tall. Death Valley National Park, the hottest and driest place in North America, covers 3.4 million acres of desert terrain. These parks contribute to California’s reputation as a leader in conservation and outdoor recreation, drawing millions of visitors each year.
Explore map of California showing national parks with country boundary, state boundary, rivers, state capital, forests, and national parks.
National Parks in California
California is renowned for its extraordinary national parks, which preserve some of the most breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems in the United States. With nine national parks, more than any other state, California offers a wide range of natural wonders, from towering mountains and ancient forests to arid deserts and coastal beauty.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, established in 1890, is one of the most iconic national parks in the United States. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite covers over 1,100 square miles of awe-inspiring scenery. The park is famous for its granite cliffs, including El Capitan and Half Dome, which attract rock climbers from around the world. Yosemite is also home to some of the tallest waterfalls in North America, such as Yosemite Falls, which plunges 2,425 feet. The park's giant sequoias, particularly in Mariposa Grove, are among the oldest and largest trees on earth. With more than 4 million visitors each year, Yosemite is a vital part of California's natural heritage.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, often managed as a single unit, protect vast areas of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sequoia National Park, established in 1890, is home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree on earth by volume, standing 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter at the base. The park also contains Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet. Kings Canyon National Park, created in 1940, features deep canyons, rugged mountains, and glacial valleys. The Kings River has carved out some of the deepest gorges in North America, offering dramatic landscapes for hiking, camping, and wilderness exploration.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California near the Nevada border, is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in North America. Covering 3.4 million acres, it is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley is known for its extreme temperatures, with summer highs often exceeding 120°F, and for its remarkable geological features, including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Despite its harsh environment, the park supports a surprising amount of biodiversity, with unique plant and animal species adapted to survive in the desert conditions. Death Valley’s stark beauty and unique landscapes attract nearly 1.7 million visitors annually.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park, situated at the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, spans nearly 800,000 acres and is named for the distinctive Joshua trees that thrive in the area. The park's landscape is marked by rugged rock formations, stark desert vistas, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Joshua Tree is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, stargazing, and camping. The park's proximity to the Greater Los Angeles area makes it a popular destination for both day trips and extended stays, drawing over 3 million visitors each year.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks, located along the northern California coast, protect nearly half of the remaining old-growth redwood forests, home to the tallest trees on earth. Coastal redwoods can reach heights of over 370 feet, and some are more than 2,000 years old. The park system, which includes Redwood National Park and several state parks, covers 139,000 acres of pristine forest, rivers, and coastline. In addition to the giant redwoods, the parks are home to diverse ecosystems, including oak woodlands, prairie grasslands, and rugged coastline. These parks are not only a sanctuary for ancient trees but also provide critical habitat for endangered species such as the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet.
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park, located off the southern coast of California, encompasses five of the eight Channel Islands and the surrounding marine environment. The park covers nearly 250,000 acres, half of which are underwater, making it a unique blend of land and sea. The islands are often referred to as the "Galapagos of North America" due to their isolation and the presence of many endemic species found nowhere else on earth. The park is a popular destination for kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and wildlife viewing, particularly for observing sea lions, seals, and migratory birds. The remote and rugged nature of the islands provides a stark contrast to the nearby urban areas, offering a tranquil and unspoiled wilderness experience.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in northern California, is one of the few places in the world where all four types of volcanoes—shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and stratovolcano—can be found. The park is named after Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, which last erupted between 1914 and 1921. The park’s geothermal features, including boiling springs, fumaroles, and mud pots, are a reminder of the area's volcanic origins. Lassen Volcanic National Park covers over 106,000 acres and is a haven for hikers, with more than 150 miles of trails that traverse alpine meadows, forests, and volcanic landscapes.
Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park, located in central California, is known for its unique rock formations, which are remnants of an ancient volcanic field that erupted more than 23 million years ago. The park’s rugged terrain includes towering spires, cliffs, and talus caves that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, including the endangered California condor. Pinnacles National Park is a popular destination for rock climbing, hiking, and bird watching. The park covers nearly 27,000 acres and offers visitors a chance to explore its dramatic landscapes through a network of well-maintained trails.
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park, established in 1940, is often considered one of the most rugged and beautiful parks in the Sierra Nevada. The park is home to Kings Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in North America, carved by the Kings River over millions of years. The canyon's dramatic landscapes include sheer granite walls, towering cliffs, and lush meadows. The park also features several groves of giant sequoias, including the General Grant Tree, the second-largest tree in the world. Kings Canyon is a popular destination for backpacking, with the Rae Lakes Loop being one of the most famous multi-day hikes in the Sierra Nevada.
