National parks near Apple Valley, California
Joshua Tree National Park is the closest national park to Apple Valley, California — 88.4 mi (142 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 33 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 makes a full day trip — leave early. Death Valley National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Constitución 1857 National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Apple Valley gates the entrance itself, but 6 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Apple Valley has a population of about 72,174.
Joshua Tree National Park
Death Valley National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Constitución 1857 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 Apple Valley
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Tree National Park | 88.4 mi (142 km) | 2 hr 33 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Death Valley National Park | 122 mi (196 km) | 3 hr 20 min | Best as a weekend |
| Channel Islands National Park | 132 mi (212 km) | 3 hr 34 min | Best as a weekend |
| Sequoia National Park | 159 mi (257 km) | 4 hr 13 min | Best as a weekend |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 179 mi (289 km) | 4 hr 42 min | Best as a weekend |
| Constitución 1857 National Park | 183 mi (295 km) | 4 hr 48 min | Best as a weekend |
| Pinnacles National Park | 262 mi (422 km) | 6 hr 39 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park | 267 mi (430 km) | 6 hr 46 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Yosemite National Park | 267 mi (430 km) | 6 hr 46 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Zion National Park | 302 mi (485 km) | 7 hr 35 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Apple Valley
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Apple Valley
Within reach of Apple Valley, 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
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 Apple Valley 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 → Kings Canyon | 21.1 mi (33.9 km) | 48 min |
| Death Valley → Sequoia | 101 mi (162 km) | 2 hr 50 min |
| Death Valley → Kings Canyon | 110 mi (177 km) | 3 hr 3 min |
| Joshua Tree → Death Valley | 177 mi (285 km) | 4 hr 39 min |
Planning a trip from Apple Valley
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 San Bernardino County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Apple Valley?
Joshua Tree National Park. It is about 88.4 mi (142 km) from Apple Valley, roughly 2 hr 33 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Apple Valley?
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Apple Valley?
10 parks are within reach of Apple Valley, and 1 of them is close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Apple Valley?
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 Apple Valley?
Recreation.gov lists 55 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Apple Valley. They are spread across 8 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Apple Valley?
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.