Enjoy a great road trip? Love our nation’s national parks? Well then we have a California National Parks road trip itinerary for you!
Much of California’s eastern spine is dominated by some of the most incredible mountain scenery that our country has to offer.
Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and Lassen Volcanic National Park are all located in California’s mountains. A road trip through these national parks should definitely be on your family’s vacation list.
Trekaroo has put together a 10-day road trip itinerary with suggestions on what to do and where to stay during your epic summer road trip. So block out your calendars, make reservations, and start getting excited about your summer adventure!
Our first stop on our California National Parks road trip is Sequoia National Park. People come to Sequoia for one massive reason- to see the largest trees on the planet.
Once they arrive, they discover that this park has much more to offer than just big trees (which are 100% worth the trek alone). This park is a wonderland of Sierra Nevada scenery with grand peaks and granite monoliths.
Explore more of the park! Here are the 8 Best Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Just passing through Sequoia? Here’s what you can do in Sequoia in just one day.
Wuksachi Lodge, the park’s signature hotel, is centrally located. It is just a short drive from several of the park’s giant Sequoia groves, including the General Sherman Tree.
Rooms are comfortable and contemporary, and suites are available, making it an ideal fit for families. Peaks Restaurant, which is located on site, serves up three meals a day, including a breakfast buffet.
Camp here: Lodgepole Campground is located conveniently located near the visitor center, camp store, ice cream shop, laundromat, and showers. It also sits at the base of the hike to lovely Tokopah Falls.
Explore more of the state! Here are the best things to do in California with kids.
The second stop on our California National Parks road trip is Kings Canyon National Park. Located adjacent to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon has its own famous grove of tall trees as well as its namesake canyon to explore.
The road to the bottom of Kings Canyon is long and winding (definitely not for RVs), but the rewards are of visiting this remote and spectacular spot are plentiful.
See which parks made our guide to the Best National Parks in California.
The only lodging down in Kings Canyon is the small, motel-style Cedar Grove Lodge. It is located above the Cedar Grove Snack Bar and a general store, alongside the Kings River. Rooms are basic, but they do the job just fine.
Camp here: All of the campsites in Kings Canyon are first-come, first-served. Sheep Creek Campground is a favorite for its central but quiet location in Cedar Grove. Sheep Creek provides hours of entertainment for the kids.
Up in Grant Grove, the Grant Grove Cabins are a fun alternative to tent camping. The cabins are essentially four walls and a couple of cots, but they are a nice option for people looking to dip their toes in the camping waters without committing to a tent.
The third stop on our California National Parks road trip is Yosemite. The superstar of California’s National Parks, Yosemite National Park really does live up to all the hype.
From the jaw-dropping beauty of Yosemite Valley to the granite-dominated landscape of the High Country, it is easy to spend weeks exploring this large park.
For the purpose of this road trip, we suggest dedicating three nights to the park. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive from Grant Grove in Kings Canyon to Curry Village in the heart of the Yosemite Valley.
Yosemite National Park recently announced that will require reservations for select dates April through October, 2024 in order to decrease overcrowding in the park.
From April 13 through June 30, a reservation is required from 5am – 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, as well as May 27and June 19, which are government holidays.
From July 1 through August 16, a reservation is required from 5am – 4pm daily.
From August 17 through October 27, a reservation is required from 5am – 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, as well as September 2 and October 14, which are government holidays.
Reservations will begin being released on January 5 at 8am and be available in advance. Some afternoon reservations and full-day reservations will be released one week in advance of the date as well.
Explore more! Here are the Best Things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids. And don’t miss 7 Easy Hikes in Yosemite. We also have a guide to the best time to visit Yosemite.
The crown jewel of national park lodges is Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel, a masterpiece of art, architecture, and history. Rooms begin at $400 per night, making this lodge a splurge for most. If you can’t afford the stay at least make the effort to enjoy a meal in the window-walled dining room or take a walking tour of the property.
Yosemite Valley Lodge is a less expensive and centrally-located alternative.
Camp here: If you want to be in the heart of things, Upper Pines Campground is set right in the midst of the grandeur of Yosemite Valley.
Curry Village tent cabins are a nice compromise for families looking for a compromise between staying in a motel and tent camping.
Did you know California has its very own active volcano? The last stop of our California National Parks road trip is Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Though Lassen Peak hasn’t erupted since 1917, this volcano is very much alive, complete with bubbling mud and steaming sulfurous streams.
The drive from Yosemite Valley to Lassen Volcanic National Park is a little over six hours in length. Here are some ideas on how to enjoy your time in the park.
Motels and lodges are nonexistent in this park but the Manzanita Cabins do offer four walls, a bed, and a table and chairs.
Camp here: Manzanita Lake Campground has 179 sites, hot showers, a camp store, and amazing views. What’s not to like?
Head up near the California/Oregon border to Lava Beds National Monument and explore the largest concentration of lava tubes in North America. Many of the tubes form caves which are open for exploration!
Kids will enjoy the ice floor of Skull Cave, the ease of exploring beautiful Valentine Cave, and the life growing inside of Sunshine Cave, among several others.
Be sure to bring flashlights and sweatshirts because even though the weather can be warm on the surface, things cool off quite a bit below ground.
There is a campground at Lava Beds National Monument. The closest hotels can be found north in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Trekaroo has dozens of articles, guides, and reviews of national parks across the country.
Featured photo by: Shutterstock
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