Top 9 Hikes in California National Parks
This week we celebrate National Parks Week, and as a Californian who loves national park adventures, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share some of my favorite California national park hikes with you.
Balconies Cave in Pinnacles National Park
Balconies Cave in Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park
One of my favorite hikes inside Pinnacles has to be the 3 mile Balconies Cave Trail. This incredible hike on the west side of the park takes you down 20 feet into interconnected talus caves, which were formed long ago when giant volcanic boulders (some weighting thousands of tons) tumbled into the faults and fractured gorge below from earthquakes and landslides. See my full Balconies Caves blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Pinnacles National Park Hikes
Balconies Cave, 2.5 miles
Bear Gulch, 2 miles
Prewitt Point Trail, 1 mile
Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop, 2.3 miles
Juniper Canyon Loop, 4.3 miles
Yosemite Falls seen from Pohono Loop Trail
Roosevelt Point along Pohono Loop Trail in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
It would be impossible to pick a favorite hike in this magnificent national park, but one I return to year after year has to be the Pohono Loop Trail to Roosevelt Point. Just one way, the full Pohono Trail covers 13 miles and 3,000 feet in elevation change…however, the Pohono Loop Trail covers just a 5 mile section of the full trail from Sentinel Dome to Taft Point. About half way through you’ll encounter an awe inspiring view at Roosevelt Point, as you get a touch of Yosemite back country without a multi-day backpacking trip. See my full Pohono Loop blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Yosemite National Park Hikes
Pohono Loop Trail, 5 miles
Foresta Falls, 2 miles
Wawona Swinging Bridge, 1 mile
Pioneer Yosemite History Center, 0.5 miles
Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
One of my favorite Lassen hikes visits the largest geothermal sites in the entire park. The Bumpass Hell hydrothermal hike winds its way around the valley rim with incredible vast wilderness views. The boardwalk below allows for safe up-close views of mudpots, boiling springs and turquoise pools. A highlight of the trail is the Big Boiler, the largest fumarole in the entire park. See my full Bumpass Hell blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Lassen Volcanic National Park Hikes
Bumpass Hell, 3 miles
Cinder Cone Nature Trail, 4 miles
Lassen Peak, 5 miles
Kings Creek Falls, 2.5 miles
Sulphur Works, 0.5 miles
Hidden Valley Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
Hidden Valley Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Hidden Valley Nature Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. This one mile loop is a great introduction to hiking in this park. It's easy enough for families with small children to enjoy, yet the massive rock formations just off the trail will keep even the most avid hikers enthused. See my full Hidden Valley Nature Trail blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Joshua Tree National Park Hikes
Hidden Valley Nature Trail, 1 mile
Arch Rock Nature Trail, 1.2 miles
Barker Dam Trail, 1.5 miles
Wall Street Mill, 2.3 miles
Cholla Cactus Garden, 0.3 miles
Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park
Prisoners Harbor Overlook in Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park is made up of five unique islands and their ocean environments. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands at 97 square miles and the easy 1/2 mile Prisoners Harbor Overlook hike is a perfect introduction to the island. This nature trail takes you from the sandy beach up to a spectacular island overlook. See my full Santa Cruz Island blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Channel Island National Park Hikes
Prisoners Harbor Trail, 0.5 miles
Smugglers Cove Trail, 7 miles
Potato Harbor Trail, 5 miles
Pelican Bay Trail, 4 mile
Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, 5 miles
Bonus: While not a hike, a favorite spot inside the park has to be Painted Cave, one of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world. You can kayak or even boat into this colorful sea cave.
Atop Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park
Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia is home to the largest tree in the world, so it’s no wonder this national park is known for its incredible Sequoia trees. However, one of my favorite hikes doesn’t head to up-close views of the tall trees, but rather climbs over 350 stone carved stairs of Moro Rock, overlooking the ragged peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the winding Generals Highway below, the San Joaquin Valley to the west, and deep into the wilderness to the east. See my full Moro Rock blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Sequoia National Park Hikes
Moro Rock & Hanging Tock Trails, 2 miles
Congress Trail, 3 miles
Giant Forest Loop, 7 miles
Big Trees Trail, 1.5 miles
Crescent Meadow, 2 miles
Mark Twain Tree along Big Stump Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Shattered Giant along Big Stump Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Located next to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon is also home to some incredible trees. My favorite hike here, however, actually takes you back in time to see what happened to these giants before they were protected. Big Stump Trail is a gentle 2 mile hike that covers grassy meadows, mature trees, wildflowers, and some of the most pristinely preserved fallen giant sequoias, including the Mark Twain Tree and the Shattered Giant. See my full Big Stump Trail blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Kings Canyon National Park Hikes
Big Stump Trail, 2 miles
Mist Falls, 8 miles
Sequoia Lake Overlook, 3 miles
Zumwalt Meadow Trail, 1.5 miles
General Grant Grove Loop, 0.5 miles
Darwin Falls in Death Valley National Park
Darwin Falls in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is known for its vast desert landscapes, but one of my favorite hikes takes you to a hidden waterfall oasis. Darwin Falls is a two tier waterfall easily reached via a two mile out and back hike that starts in a barren landscape and transforms into lush watery streams. Stay tuned for my full Darwin Falls blog post next Monday for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Death Valley National Park Hikes
Darwin Falls, 2 miles
Mosaic Canyon, 3 miles
Zabriskie Point, 0.5 miles
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, 1 mile
Badwater Basin, 2 miles
Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park
Footbridge to Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park was established in 1968 to protect the few remaining stands of uncut redwoods here from logging. Just one year later in 1969, Lady Bird Johnson Grove was dedicated as one of the park’s first groves in honor of the first lady’s conservation and environmental efforts. The 1.5 mile loop weaves through the grove along an old logging road and many incredible old growth redwoods can be found here (some towering over 300 feet high). See my full Ladybird Johnson blog post here for all the details.
5 Can’t Miss Redwood National & State Park Hikes
Ladybird Johnson Grove, 1.5 miles
Tall Trees Grove, 3.5 miles
Trillium Falls Trail, 2.5 miles
Fern Canyon, 1 mile
Stout Grove, 1 mile
El Capitan and Yosemite Valley seen from Roosevelt Point along Pohono Loop Trail
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in California’s incredible national parks. For a virtual visit through the above-mentioned trails, see my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Trail to Bumpass Hell in Lassen Volcanic National Park
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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What are the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park? Today I'm sharing one of the best Yosemite hotels for your next national park vacation. Centrally located near iconic landmarks, hiking trails, and viewpoints, Yosemite Valley Lodge is one of the top spots to stay in the park. Hike to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, see Half Dome from Cooks Meadow, and grab food at on-site restaurants.