Death Valley
The hottest, driest, lowest park in America, and a gentle winter escape.
9 national parks in California
National Parks in California
California has 9 national parks. Here's when each one is at its best, and the months that work for seeing several on one trip.
October is the best overall for California's parks. Death Valley: Nov–Mar; Joshua Tree: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov; Channel Islands: Jul–Sep; Pinnacles: Feb–Apr; Lassen Volcanic: Jul–Sep; Redwood: May–Oct; Kings Canyon: Jul–Sep; Sequoia: Jul–Sep; Yosemite: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Season calendar
The parks
Joshua Tree
Twisted Joshua trees and giant granite boulders where two deserts meet.
Channel Islands
California's 'Galápagos': five islands reachable only by boat or small plane.
Pinnacles
Volcanic spires, talus caves and soaring California condors.
Lassen Volcanic
Boiling mud pots, steaming vents and a volcano you can climb, without the crowds.
Redwood
Walk among the tallest living things on Earth, then hit a wild Pacific beach.
Kings Canyon
A glacier-carved canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon in places, with a fraction of the visitors.
Sequoia
Giant sequoias, granite domes and the largest tree on Earth.
Yosemite
Granite walls, giant waterfalls and the valley that inspired the national park idea.
Road trips through California
Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Granite walls, giant waterfalls and the largest trees on Earth along the Sierra Nevada.
Redwoods to Crater Lake
Volcanoes, the tallest trees on Earth and America's deepest lake.
Desert Winter Escape
Three desert parks at their best in the cold months: below sea level, boulders and giant cacti.
Nearby parks in other states
Great Basin
Nevada · Best Jul–Sep
Zion
Utah · Best Apr, Oct–Nov
Bryce Canyon
Utah · Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Grand Canyon
Arizona · Best Apr–May, Oct
Questions
How many national parks are in California?
California has 9 national parks: Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redwood National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park. Some of these are shared with neighboring states.
When is the best time to visit national parks in California?
October is the best overall for California's parks. Death Valley: Nov–Mar; Joshua Tree: Feb–Apr, Oct–Nov; Channel Islands: Jul–Sep; Pinnacles: Feb–Apr; Lassen Volcanic: Jul–Sep; Redwood: May–Oct; Kings Canyon: Jul–Sep; Sequoia: Jul–Sep; Yosemite: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Ratings are editorial. Rules and road openings change each year, so confirm on the official NPS site before you go.