How Many National Parks are in California?

Overview of National Parks in California

California is home to 9 incredible national parks that showcase the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of the state.

From deserts to mountains to redwood forests, California's national parks protect some of the most iconic scenery in the American West.

In total, California's national parks span over 4.5 million acres, providing critical habitat for wildlife and opportunities for visitors to explore the outdoors. The National Park Service manages all 9 parks in California.

The 9 National Parks in California:

Death Valley National Park

The largest national park outside Alaska, Death Valley encompasses over 3 million acres of desert wilderness. Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valley is known for its extreme heat, salt flats, canyons, and striking rock formations.

Iconic spots include Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, and Zabriskie Point's badlands vista.

Joshua Tree National Park

Encompassing the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems, Joshua Tree National Park is defined by its unique Joshua trees and boulder-strewn landscapes.

Hiking trails lead through palm oases and the park's two deserts, which are separated by the Little San Bernardino Mountains.

Kings Canyon National Park

Home to giant sequoia groves and the deepest canyon in the U.S., Kings Canyon offers rugged wilderness and mountains.

Located adjacent to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon's highlights include Zumwalt Meadow, Road's End, and views of the High Sierra.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Showcasing volcanic landscapes in the Cascade Range, Lassen Volcanic National Park has hydrothermal areas, lava beds, and the 10,457-foot Lassen Peak. The park has evidence of its active geothermal areas like boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs.

Pinnacles National Park

Known for its towering rock spires and crags, Pinnacles National Park protects a portion of the Gabilan Mountains. Hiking trails lead through chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms filled with seasonal creeks. The park is popular for rock climbing.

Redwood National and State Parks

Located along the Northern California coast, this park network protects stands of old-growth coast redwoods, including some of the tallest trees on Earth.

The parks span 41,000 acres across Redwood National Park and three California state parks.

Sequoia National Park

Home to the world's largest tree by volume (General Sherman), Sequoia National Park protects magnificent groves of giant sequoia trees.

The park's elevation ranges from 1,500 to 14,500 feet and encompasses the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states (Mt. Whitney).

Yosemite National Park

One of the first national parks in America, Yosemite is renowned for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, sequoia groves, and vast wilderness. Iconic landmarks include Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove, and the Tunnel View overlook. The park welcomes over 3 million visitors per year.

Channel Islands National Park

This park protects five islands off Southern California's coast, providing habitat for unique plants and animals.

Accessible only by boat or plane, the islands offer remote wilderness, sea caves, tide pools, marine life viewing, and opportunities for camping and hiking.

Total National Parks in California: 9

In summary, California is home to 9 incredible national parks that showcase alpine mountains, ancient sequoias, desert landscapes, volcanic peaks, ocean islands, and more.

Millions visit California's national parks each year to experience their beauty, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. The 9 parks span over 4.5 million acres across the diverse ecosystems of the state.

Additional Details

The National Park System also manages national monuments, national recreation areas, and other designations in California.

For example, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Cabrillo National Monument. But there are 9 national parks.

Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon are located adjacent to one another in central California's Sierra Nevada range.

Redwood National and State Parks is a cooperative management area that includes Redwood National Park together with 3 California state parks.

Channel Islands National Park includes 5 of the 8 Channel Islands located off the Southern California coast. The islands themselves are not physically connected.

Death Valley National Park recorded a temperature of 134°F in 1913, the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

Joshua Tree National Park is visible from space due to the unique vegetation in the desert landscape.

Lassen Volcanic National Park contains all 4 types of volcanoes found in the world.

Conclusion

California's magnificent national parks protect some of the most diverse landscapes in North America, from soaring granite domes to ancient sequoia groves, scorching deserts to volcanic peaks.

These 9 national parks span over 4.5 million acres across California, providing critical habitat for wildlife and unmatched opportunities for visitors to experience the outdoors.

Whether hiking among giant redwoods, gazing up at Half Dome, or wandering through the otherworldly deserts, California's national parks showcase the immense beauty and ecosystems that make the state so iconic.

With 9 incredible national parks across its vast landscapes, California truly has something for every nature lover.