National parks near Redding, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is the closest national park to Redding, California — 47.2 mi (76 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 33 min behind the wheel.
A volcanic landscape in northern California with hot springs, cinder cones, and a plug-dome peak.
Lassen Volcanic National Park and Redwood National Park make a full day trip — leave early. Crater Lake National Park is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Redding gates the entrance itself, but 6 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Redding has a population of about 91,582.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Redwood National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Yosemite National Park
Pinnacles National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. Getting to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Camping at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Permits for Lassen Volcanic National Park.
National parks near Redding
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | 47.2 mi (76 km) | 1 hr 33 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Redwood National Park | 97.3 mi (157 km) | 2 hr 45 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Crater Lake National Park | 163 mi (263 km) | 4 hr 19 min | Best as a weekend |
| Yosemite National Park | 242 mi (389 km) | 6 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pinnacles National Park | 291 mi (469 km) | 7 hr 21 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 330 mi (531 km) | 8 hr 15 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sequoia National Park | 349 mi (561 km) | 8 hr 42 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Death Valley National Park | 425 mi (685 km) | 10 hr 31 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mount Rainier National Park | 434 mi (698 km) | 10 hr 43 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Great Basin National Park | 444 mi (714 km) | 10 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Redding
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Yosemite National Park | Half Dome 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 |
| 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 |
| Mount Rainier National Park | Mount Rainier National Park Wilderness and Climbing Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping near Redding
Within reach of Redding, 62 campgrounds across 10 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 16 at Yosemite National Park, 14 at Lassen Volcanic National Park, 9 at Kings Canyon National Park, and 7 at Sequoia National Park, plus 6 more parks with fewer sites.
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground - Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park at Redwood National Park and Jedediah Smith Campground - Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park at Redwood National Park do not take reservations, so they never show up as bookable inventory — in busy season that means arriving before mid-morning rather than planning around a confirmation.
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
Lassen Volcanic National Park is generally best July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow, with late June and late September as the quieter shoulder either side.
High passes and trails hold snow from October into June, and some roads close entirely for the winter.
Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer. Start early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Redding 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lassen Volcanic → Redwood | 142 mi (228 km) | 3 hr 48 min |
| Redwood → Crater Lake | 149 mi (240 km) | 3 hr 59 min |
| Lassen Volcanic → Crater Lake | 171 mi (276 km) | 4 hr 30 min |
Planning a trip from Redding
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 Shasta County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Redding?
Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is about 47.2 mi (76 km) from Redding, roughly 1 hr 33 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Redding?
Yes — Lassen Volcanic National Park and Redwood National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Redding?
10 parks are within reach of Redding, and 2 of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Redding?
None of them gate the entrance itself. 6 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Lassen Volcanic National Park Wilderness Permits, Half Dome Permits at Yosemite National Park, 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 Redding?
Recreation.gov lists 62 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Redding. They are spread across 10 of those parks. 2 of them are first-come, first-served, so they never appear as bookable inventory.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Redding?
For Lassen Volcanic National Park, the closest one, generally July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow. Either side of that, late June and late September stays quieter.