Explore Nearby National Parks from Los Angeles

How Long it Takes to Drive to These Popular Outdoor Attractions

Whether you are exploring Los Angeles or reside in the Valley and desire a weekend retreat in nature, numerous National Parks are within a reasonable driving distance from Los Angeles.

From taking a boat to Channel Islands National Park, located just over an hour north of the city, to navigating the 12-hour drive to Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park, there is no lack of stunning locations for a vacation on the West Coast.

It is important to acknowledge that you may need to arrange overnight accommodations at or near several of these destinations—particularly those located over eight hours away. While some parks permit camping, you might need to consider lodging in a nearby town or city for an overnight stay.

Channel Islands National Park: 2 Hours

Situated just over an hour north of Los Angeles (66 miles), this destination encompasses five islands off the Southern California coastline known as Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.

Anacapa is the nearest island, located merely 14 miles from Ventura, making it ideal for visitors pressed for time. It provides opportunities for scuba diving in Middle Anacapa and observing sea lions at Arch Rock. Alternatively, San Miguel is the most remote, situated 55 miles from Ventura and is home to five seal species, primarily around Point Bennett.

Santa Cruz, the largest island, boasts the most diverse wildlife, although access is restricted to the eastern segment due to stringent protections enforced by The Nature Conservancy to safeguard species such as the island fox and island scrub jay.

Access to the Channel Islands is exclusively through park concessionaire boats and planes from the Visitor’s Center in Ventura, or by chartering a private vessel along the coastline. Driving directions from Los Angeles are relatively straightforward: follow US-101, take Exit 64 toward Victoria Ave to Channel Island Harbor, turn right onto Olivas Park Dr, and proceed to the Visitor’s Center.

Joshua Tree National Park: 2.5 Hours

Located 131 miles east of Los Angeles—on the opposite side of Palm Springs—Joshua Tree National Park encompasses over a million acres of diverse desert landscape.

This park, named for the yucca-like Joshua “trees” that create an enchanting and photogenic environment in the California desert, is recognized as a sacred site for various cultural groups across the United States.

Joshua Tree is ideal for rock climbing, hiking, birdwatching, wildflower photography, and stargazing due to its pristine night skies. Additionally, small festivals and gatherings are occasionally hosted throughout the year.

When driving from Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, take I-10 east and then either exit towards Yucca Valley for northern park access or proceed another 30 miles to Chiriaco Summit for southern park entry.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: 5 Hours

Situated 218 miles north of Los Angeles, these two adjacent parks protect significant mountains, deep canyons, and diverse habitats at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 14,494 feet: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

The renowned giant sequoia trees, among the largest living organisms in the United States, can be found in great groves, including the General Sherman Tree located in Sequoia National Park. Additionally, this area features Mineral King Valley and Mount Whitney, which is the tallest mountain in the continental United States.

In the wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park, visitors can explore vast canyons sculpted by the Kings River alongside the summit peaks of the High Sierra that dominate the landscape.

If you are driving from Los Angeles, take I-5 North, transitioning to I-99 N towards Bakersfield/Fresno. Continue on I-99 N to Exit 30, leading towards CA-65 N to Porterville. Upon reaching Lindsay, turn right onto Road 204 N, then right onto CA-198 E, which conveniently leads into the park.

Death Valley National Park: 4.5 Hours

Death Valley holds the title of the largest national park unit outside of Alaska, encompassing more than three million acres of wilderness. This vast desert, largely surrounded by towering mountains, also contains the lowest elevation point in the Western Hemisphere. The area features Scotty’s Castle, a historic residence of a renowned prospector, along with remains of gold and borax mining operations.

Located approximately 266 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Death Valley offers breathtaking views, distinctive geological features such as the natural bridge and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, in addition to several campgrounds, cabins, and a resort, allowing visitors to enjoy an overnight stay within the park.

Driving to Death Valley from Los Angeles takes approximately four and a half hours via CA-14 N, US-395 N, and CA-190 E.

Yosemite National Park: 6 Hours

Yosemite is renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls, meadows, and ancient sequoia trees, situated approximately 340 miles from downtown Los Angeles, about 100 miles north of Sequoia National Park.

Within its expansive 1,200 miles of wilderness, visitors can discover diverse natural beauty—colorful wildflowers, grazing animals, pristine lakes, and iconic granite domes and pinnacles. Notably, Mariposa Grove houses over 200 sequoia trees, including the remarkable 1,500-year-old Grizzly Giant.

Similar to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, driving directions from Los Angeles are relatively uncomplicated. Instead of exiting from I-99 N, continue toward Fresno, then take Exit 131 to merge onto CA-41 N heading toward Yosemite.

Grand Canyon National Park: 8 Hours

About 486 to 507 miles east of Los Angeles, Grand Canyon National Park attracts over five million visitors annually. The main feature, the Grand Canyon, is an immense gorge extending over 277 miles, showcasing remarkable depths and vibrant geological colors. The park is known for having some of the cleanest air in the nation, with a significant portion, 1,904 square miles, designated as wilderness.

Visitors can experience the Grand Canyon through various activities, including camping overnight, joining guided hiking tours, or riding mules down steep slopes to the canyon floor. Additionally, there are numerous highly-rated hotels and resorts within close proximity, and the nearby city of Flagstaff offers a wealth of dining options, entertainment, and overnight accommodations.

There are several ways to drive to the Grand Canyon from Los Angeles, depending on your preferred route to this magnificent attraction in the Arizona desert. Regardless of your departure route, reaching I-40 via I-15 N, CA-177 N, or US-60 will ultimately lead to Flagstaff; from there, AZ-64 N directs you straight to the Grand Canyon.

Lassen Volcanic National Park: 9 Hours

Having erupted intermittently from 1914 to 1921, Lassen Peak was the most recent volcanic eruption in the contiguous 48 states before the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens in Washington. Active volcanic features at the park include hot springs, steaming fumaroles, mud pots, and sulfur vents.

Located 563 miles to the north in California, the most opportune time to explore this mountainous park is from late spring through early fall. However, August and September is the ideal period for scenic drives through the area, while winter months offer the chance for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Driving directions from Los Angeles are relatively straightforward: follow I-5 N for 510 miles to Exit 649 onto the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in Mineral (CA-36 E), which will lead you directly through the park about 50 miles later.

Redwood National and State Parks: 12.5 Hours

Comprising 45 percent of California’s remaining old-growth redwood forest, this park, along with four other California parks, is designated as a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. The ancient coastal redwood ecosystem retained in these parks displays some of the most splendid forest scenery found anywhere in the world.

Located 734 miles from Los Angeles, expect to allocate at least 12.5 hours to reach Redwood National and State Parks—stopping midway along the 101 is advisable for daytime views of the forests upon arrival.

To access the Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California from Los Angeles, follow US-101 north; however, taking the I-5 N to I-580 W saves approximately 40 miles and nearly an hour, allowing you to merge onto US-101 in San Francisco. After passing the city on the 101, continue north for approximately 300 miles, leading to exit 753 for Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway.

Crater Lake National Park: 12 Hours

If you have a long weekend to spare and wish to venture to Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is located 725 miles from Los Angeles and requires just under 12 hours to reach.

Visitors often recall their initial view of Crater Lake. On clear days, the water appears a vivid blue, often likened to ink. Towering cliffs rise 2,000 feet above the lake, which embodies tranquility and stunning vistas, making it an essential destination for nature enthusiasts.

Formed following the eruption of Mount Mazama, a now-dormant volcano, around 5,700 B.C., the crater filled with rain over centuries, creating Crater Lake, the deepest in the United States at 1,900 feet.

You can easily reach Crater Lake from Lassen Volcanic National Park by following I-5 past the Lassen turn-off. From there, continue to Weed, California, and take exit 747 to US-97 N, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Proceed approximately 80 miles on US-97 N and turn left onto OR-62 W just after Modoc Point.