National parks near Los Angeles, California
Channel Islands National Park is the closest national park to Los Angeles, California — 67.4 mi (109 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 3 min behind the wheel.
A chain of islands off southern California. Reach them by boat; expect wind, wildlife, and limited services.
Channel Islands National Park makes a full day trip — leave early. Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Death Valley National Park, Constitución 1857 National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Los Angeles gates the entrance itself, but 6 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Los Angeles has a population of about 3,820,914.
Channel Islands National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Sequoia National Park
Death Valley National Park
Constitución 1857 National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best time to visit Channel Islands National Park. Getting to Channel Islands National Park. Camping at Channel Islands National Park.
National parks near Los Angeles
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands National Park | 67.4 mi (109 km) | 2 hr 3 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Joshua Tree National Park | 136 mi (218 km) | 3 hr 40 min | Best as a weekend |
| Sequoia National Park | 170 mi (274 km) | 4 hr 29 min | Best as a weekend |
| Death Valley National Park | 171 mi (276 km) | 4 hr 30 min | Best as a weekend |
| Constitución 1857 National Park | 189 mi (303 km) | 4 hr 55 min | Best as a weekend |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 191 mi (308 km) | 4 hr 59 min | Best as a weekend |
| Pinnacles National Park | 235 mi (378 km) | 6 hr 1 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park | 270 mi (434 km) | 6 hr 50 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Yosemite National Park | 274 mi (440 km) | 6 hr 55 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Zion National Park | 368 mi (592 km) | 9 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Los Angeles
| 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 |
| Sequoia National Park | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness 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 |
| Kings Canyon National Park | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Yosemite National Park | Half Dome 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 Los Angeles
Within reach of Los Angeles, 55 campgrounds across 8 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 16 at Yosemite National Park, 9 at Joshua Tree National Park, 9 at Kings Canyon National Park, and 8 at Channel Islands 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
Channel Islands National Park is generally best May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Los Angeles 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sequoia → Death Valley | 101 mi (162 km) | 2 hr 50 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 |
| Channel Islands → Sequoia | 178 mi (287 km) | 4 hr 40 min |
Planning a trip from Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Los Angeles?
Channel Islands National Park. It is about 67.4 mi (109 km) from Los Angeles, roughly 2 hr 3 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Los Angeles?
Yes — Channel Islands National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Los Angeles?
10 parks are within reach of Los Angeles, and 1 of them is close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Los Angeles?
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, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits, and Death Valley National Park Wilderness Permits. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near Los Angeles?
Recreation.gov lists 55 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Los Angeles. They are spread across 8 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Los Angeles?
For Channel Islands National Park, the closest one, generally May, June, September, and early October. Either side of that, April and late October stays quieter.