5 Must-Visit National Parks in California

The west coast of the United States is known for its beauty and natural resources.  Each year travelers from all over the world come to experience all that the state of California has to offer.  One of the best ways of experiences the state’s beauty and natural resources is to visit the top 5 National Parks in California.  These parks offer some of the best outdoor recreation activities in the world.

This is the ideal destination for ultimate hikers. The terrain is rather harsh but provides the perfect environment for visitors to experience nature at its rawest form. The wildlife and vegetation is very varied and for the less experienced hikers, guided tours will offer much needed insight. The trip would not be complete without visiting historical mining sites as well as deep gorges that are home to a unique flora and fauna. For those who are unable to withstand very high temperatures, it would be advisable to visit the park in winter. The park is located about 200 miles from the city of Los Angeles.

Redwood National Park

This immense natural habitat for native redwood trees covers an area of more than 100,000 acres including a part of the pacific shoreline in Northern California. This great ecosystem also includes plenty of rare animal species and plant species that coexist in harmony.

If you want to view the tallest free standing tree in the world, the Redwood Forest is the place to be.

Directions to Redwood National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

This park was opened officially in the 1930’s and is located where the Sonoran and Mojave deserts converge. Nature lovers will surely be impressed by the flora and fauna in this park that includes numerous Joshua Trees that dot the desert landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts will be impressed by the great sites for camping and hiking.

To find the Visitors Center you would like to visit (there are 4 of them in Joshua Tree National Park), check HERE.

Channel Islands National Park

This magnificent national park can be considered a natural oasis owing to the large number of animal and plant life that are found on five separate islands just off the Californian coast. The islands are largely isolated which have made the area conducive for the natural ecosystem to thrive.

This group of islands has long been considered one of the top 5 National Parks in California and although it only gained national park status in 1980, the group of islands was declared a United States National Monument in 1938. There is plenty to see and do at the Channel Islands national park and for this reason the park is visited by an average of about 300,000 people per year!

Don’t forget the best part about visiting California’s National Parks with your kids – The Junior Ranger Program!