National parks near Salton City, California
Joshua Tree National Park is the closest national park to Salton City, California — 34.1 mi (54.9 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 11 min behind the wheel.
Mojave and Colorado desert meeting in southern California. Twisted Joshua trees, boulder piles, and clear night skies.
Joshua Tree National Park and Constitución 1857 National Park make a full day trip — leave early. Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, Channel Islands National Park, and Death Valley National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Salton City gates the entrance itself, but 6 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Salton City has a population of about 3,763.
Joshua Tree National Park
Constitución 1857 National Park
Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Sequoia National Park
Best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Getting to Joshua Tree National Park. Camping at Joshua Tree National Park. Permits for Joshua Tree National Park. Timed entry and tours at Joshua Tree National Park.
National parks near Salton City
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree National Park | 34.1 mi (54.9 km) | 1 hr 11 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Constitución 1857 National Park | 89.2 mi (144 km) | 2 hr 34 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park | 167 mi (270 km) | 4 hr 25 min | Best as a weekend |
| Channel Islands National Park | 205 mi (330 km) | 5 hr 18 min | Best as a weekend |
| Death Valley National Park | 209 mi (336 km) | 5 hr 24 min | Best as a weekend |
| Sequoia National Park | 267 mi (430 km) | 6 hr 46 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Saguaro National Park | 286 mi (460 km) | 7 hr 13 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 286 mi (461 km) | 7 hr 14 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 288 mi (464 km) | 7 hr 16 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Zion National Park | 321 mi (517 km) | 8 hr 3 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Salton City
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree National Park | Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Backpacking Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Death Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Grand Canyon National Park | Tuweep Area Day Use Tickets | One road or area | Timed reservation |
| Sequoia National Park | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Kings Canyon National Park | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Zion National Park | Angels Landing: Fall (Hikes on September 1 – November 30) | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Salton City
Within reach of Salton City, 42 campgrounds across 8 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 9 at Joshua Tree National Park, 9 at Kings Canyon National Park, 8 at Channel Islands National Park, and 7 at Sequoia National Park, plus 4 more parks with fewer sites.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
Joshua Tree National Park is generally best March through May, then October through November, with February and early December as the quieter shoulder either side.
Summer highs regularly clear 100 °F / 38 °C. Winter is pleasant by day but nights drop below freezing at elevation.
Summer heat is the real hazard, not the crowds. Hike at dawn, skip exposed trails after mid-morning, and never rely on finding water.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Salton City are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Constitución 1857 → Sierra de San Pedro Mártir | 83.7 mi (135 km) | 2 hr 26 min |
| Joshua Tree → Constitución 1857 | 123 mi (198 km) | 3 hr 22 min |
| Joshua Tree → Death Valley | 177 mi (285 km) | 4 hr 39 min |
| Joshua Tree → Sierra de San Pedro Mártir | 201 mi (323 km) | 5 hr 12 min |
Planning a trip from Salton City
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Imperial County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Salton City?
Joshua Tree National Park. It is about 34.1 mi (54.9 km) from Salton City, roughly 1 hr 11 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Salton City?
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park and Constitución 1857 National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Salton City?
10 parks are within reach of Salton City, and 2 of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Salton City?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 6 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Joshua Tree National Park Wilderness Backpacking Permits, Death Valley National Park Wilderness Permits, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Salton City?
Recreation.gov lists 42 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Salton City. They are spread across 8 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Salton City?
For Joshua Tree National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then October through November. Either side of that, February and early December stays quieter.