Plan a free trip to California's nine national parks
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Joshua Tree is one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
California is home to more national parks than any other state, and on Saturday you can visit them for free to celebrate National Public Lands Day.
Why it matters: The breathtaking views, trails and natural wonders at most of the state's nine national parks are within about a 6-hour driving distance of San Diego.
The big picture: The parks span the entire state and offer diverse landscapes, wildlife, climates and activities from the desert to the mountains to remote islands to dense forests.
- Yosemite National Park, best known for its striking granite cliffs and towering waterfalls, is the state's most popular.
- Death Valley National Park is the biggest, hottest and has the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin.
- Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, called "A Land of Giants," has the world's largest trees, plus mountains, canyons and caverns.
- Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on Earth.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park has several volcanoes and crystal-clear lakes.
- Pinnacles National Park, the state's smallest, was formed by erupting volcanoes and its rocky terrain is popular for climbing and hiking.
- Channel Islands National Park comprises five islands off the Southern California coast.
- Joshua Tree National Park is known for distinctive plants and rock formations where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet.
Fun fact: Channel Islands, the state's least-visited national park, includes Catalina Island, which hosts the "Step Brothers"-inspired Catalina Wine Mixer.
Zoom in: Joshua Tree is the closest national park to San Diego.
- More than 3 million visitors went hiking, bouldering and stargazing there last year, making it the 9th most popular national park in the country.
- It's about a 2.5 hour drive from the city and entry typically costs $15 per person or $30 per vehicle.
The intrigue: San Diego's Cabrillo National Monument, which has a new oceanside trail, will also have free entry.
Zoom out: There are plenty of national parks to check out in our neighboring states, and some are within driving distance. Our Axios colleagues recommend:
- The Grand Canyon or Saguaro National Park in Arizona.
- Or Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.