Los Angeles is one of the most famous city in California, United States, California houses 9 National Parks and also the home to some of the most beautiful national park in USA. It also offers some of the most amazing national parks road trip. We will see some of the must do national parks road trip from Los Angeles in this post.
Los Angeles is the center of Hollywood and stars and celebrities casually walking on the streets. But many people do not know that many National Parks are just a few hours drive away from Los Angeles and the kind of beauty, diversity and views that surrounds this city.
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National Parks for Road Trips near Los Angeles
National parks with granite rocky hills, snow-capped mountains, dry deserts and lush forests are all at a drive distance from Los Angeles. It provides a perfect escape for anyone looking for some peace, quiet, family trip or weekend getaway near Los Angeles.
Here is a list of some of the best and most popular national parks for road trips near Los Angeles
Yosemite National Park
This park is located in the western Sierra Nevada of Central California, it is around 140 miles southeast of Sacramento, which makes it perfect for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles. Yosemite is approx 280 miles from Los Angeles but it is worth driving to this park from LA.
This park has a diverse range of habitats and terrains and is well known for its waterfalls, glaciers, granite rock formations and ancient giant sequoias.
Due to its many scenic views and tranquil environment, it is the most visited park in the united states. It broke all records in 2016 when the number of visitors passed 5 million.
There are many sites and landmarks, but the most famous ones are Half Dome and Verna Fall which you cannot miss.
There are a variety of facilities for staying in the park, if you want a proper camping experience, there are various campsites present all around the park. Hotels and lodgings are also available. It is always better to book a room in advance, if you plan to spend the night.
The park is opened throughout the year and there are no hourly restrictions, it is open 24/7. During the winter months, especially November and December, many of the amenities are closed due to the thick blanket of snow which covers the park.
Death Valley
This park deserves its morbid name due to its continuous drought and extreme summer heat. It is known to be one of the hottest places in the world. It is located just 216 miles from Los Angeles and sits on the border of Nevada. The extreme climate makes this park not suitable for everyone, but is of great appeal to adventure seekers.
Snow peaked mountains and a clear oasis loaded with fishes offers beautiful sights and refuge for wildlife. This is America’s largest park as it stretches over 3.4 million acres.
The best time to visit is during spring, the valley is filled with wildflowers, if it rained the previous winter. The lodgings and campsites are filled during this season. Winters have a completely different charm here, the snow-capped mountains form an extreme contrast with the drought-ridden land. Every season offers a different experience.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia national park is one of the most famous parks, and it has earned its reputation due to some wondrous things. This park holds some of the largest trees in the world. The General Sherman Tree is the biggest attraction over here. It is around 275 feet tall! Although this park is a long drive, 250 miles from Los Angeles, it is still worth it. There are plenty of sites for camping and many lodgings and hotels are available. There is a $35 entrance fee for the vehicle, it lasts all week and also gives access to Kings Canyon National Park. The park is opened throughout the year and there are no hourly restrictions. The best time to visit is during summers, the trees offer great comfort from the summer heat. In winter, the climate here can be unpredictable.
Joshua Tree National Park
Located just 147 miles from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is perfect for a weekend getaway to a calm, dreamy dessert. This park looks right out of a book. Photogenic rocks, sleeping under the twinkling night sky, Joshua trees and the desert sunset makes it perfect for photography and camping. There are many camping sites scattered across the park ranging from $15-$20 per night. The park is open throughout the year with no hourly restrictions. The best time to visit is during spring, when the heat is quite bearable.
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is quite similar to Yosemite, with rocky granite peaks, lush forests and deep valleys. This park is just 240 miles from Los Angeles and neighbors sequoia park. Accommodation is in the form of lodgings and campgrounds, the prices vary according to seasons. You can either absorb the scenic views or go hiking through the many trails. This park is open throughout the year. The best time to visit is during the summers to escape the heat. The entrance fee is $35 which gives access to both, king Canyon and Sequoia park.
National Parks near Los Angeles for Road Trip
