Best Hikes in California
California holds more good hiking than any other state and almost none of it runs on the same calendar. The Sierra opens in July and closes in October, the desert parks are only pleasant when the Sierra is buried, and the coast works all year. These are the trails worth the drive, grouped so you can find the ones that match the month you actually have off.
70 trail guides and 8 ready-to-book itineraries
Ready-to-book trips
Day-by-day, with the permits and the stays already worked out.
Hiking Trails in Big Sur California: A 3-Day Coast ItineraryCentral California Coast · Highway 1
California National Parks Family Loop: A 10-Day ItineraryCalifornia · Sierra Nevada
Channel Islands Kayaking: 3-Day Santa Cruz Island TripCalifornia · Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley Winter Hiking: A 3-Day ItineraryEastern California · Mojave Desert
Eastern Sierra 10-Day Loop: Mammoth Lakes Backpacking TripCalifornia · Mammoth Lakes & the High Sierra
Lassen Volcanic Day Hikes: A 2-Day ItineraryNorthern California · Cascade volcanoes
Hiking the Lost Coast Trail: 5-Day Backpacking ItineraryCalifornia · King Range Wilderness
San Diego Itinerary: 3 Days on the CoastCalifornia · San Diego CountyNational park hikes
Best Family Vacations Out West: Five National Park Trips Built for KidsThe best family vacations out west, compared: Utah's Mighty Five, the Olympic Peninsula, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite and Sequoia, and
Day Trip to Pinnacles National Park: How to Do ItYou can see the best of Pinnacles in a single day. Here are the real drive times, why you must pick the east or west entrance befo
Sunset at Yosemite National Park: 6 Best Spots & TimingAn honest breakdown of the six best sunset spots in Yosemite, how to reach each, when to arrive, and which are open which months.
Best Things to Do in Sequoia National Park (2026 Guide)The top things to do in Sequoia National Park, from a guide who's hiked it: General Sherman, the Moro Rock stairway, Crystal Cave,
Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree: A Month-by-Month GuideWhen to visit Joshua Tree National Park for cool hiking weather, wildflowers, and dark skies, broken down season by season.
Best Time to Visit Kings Canyon National ParkWhen to visit Kings Canyon National Park for open roads, snow-free passes, wildflowers, and fewer crowds, broken down by season.
Death Valley Spring HikesThe best Death Valley hikes to do in April, from cool canyon slots to high-country peaks, plus how to time the day and beat the bu
Joshua Tree Camping GuideHow to pick the right Joshua Tree campground, when to reserve, and what to pack for a desert night under the stars.
Joshua Tree Stargazing Guide: Best Spots and Dark Sky TipsWhere and when to see the Milky Way in Joshua Tree, one of the best dark sky parks within reach of Los Angeles.
Kings Canyon Camping Guide: Best Campgrounds and How to BookA complete guide to camping in Kings Canyon National Park, covering the best campgrounds at Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, reservati
Best Day Hikes in Kings Canyon National ParkA guide to the best day hikes in Kings Canyon National Park, from easy sequoia loops to the canyon floor and the climb toward Mist
Mount Whitney Trail: The Complete Day-Hike GuideThe Mount Whitney Trail climbs to 14,505 ft, the highest summit in the lower 48. Here's exactly how the permit works, how hard theBackpacking and multi-day routes
Sierra High Route Maps and Navigation: What You Actually NeedOne hundred and ninety-five miles, thirty-three passes, and roughly two thirds of it with no trail under your feet. The route exis
John Muir Trail Planning Guide: JMT Permits & LogisticsThe 211-mile Sierra Nevada route from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, permits, resupply strategy, and everything it takes to actually com
Thousand Island Lake HikeEverything you need to plan a hike to Thousand Island Lake beneath Banner Peak, including the River Trail, the High Trail, and the
Yosemite Backpacking: Wilderness Permits and Best RoutesHow to score a Yosemite wilderness permit and where to backpack, from the High Sierra loops out of Tuolumne Meadows to the climb uPermits and access
Half Dome Cables: When They Are Up, and What They Are LikeWhen the Half Dome cables go up and come down, what the angle really is, what it feels like to be on them, and the conditions that
The Diving Board and the Death Slabs on Half DomeThe Diving Board is where Ansel Adams shot Monolith in 1927, and the Death Slabs are how you get there. What that approach actuall
Half Dome Hike: The Route, the Miles, and How Steep It GetsThe Half Dome route broken down section by section: 14 to 16 miles, 4,800 feet of climbing, where the steep parts actually are, an
Half Dome Lottery: How the Draw Works and How to Win ItBoth Half Dome lotteries explained: the March preseason draw and the daily draw two days out, what your odds really are by day and
Mount Whitney Permit LotteryA step-by-step guide to the Mount Whitney permit lottery on Recreation.gov, including dates, quotas, and what to do if you miss ouWhen to go
The Best Time to Visit Death ValleyWhen to visit Death Valley National Park for comfortable hiking, wildflowers, and cool desert nights, broken down by season.
Best Time to Visit Yosemite With KidsWhen to visit Yosemite as a family, broken down by season, with notes on waterfalls, crowds, the Tioga Road, and the day-use reserWaterfall hikes
McWay Falls Big Sur: How to See the Waterfall on the BeachEverything you need to see McWay Falls, the 80-foot tidefall that drops onto the sand at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Su
Yosemite Waterfalls: Best Falls to See and When They PeakA season-by-season guide to Yosemite's biggest waterfalls, from Yosemite Falls to Bridalveil, including when the flow peaks and thWhere to camp
Camping on Anacapa Island: How to Book, the 157 Stairs and What to BringAnacapa Island has 7 campsites, no water, and 157 stairs from the boat landing. Here is how to book through recreation.gov and wha
Glamping in the Redwoods: Cabins, Yurts and Tents Near Redwood National ParkRedwood National Park has no lodging of its own. Klamath, Trinidad and Crescent City each have a real cabin, cottage or yurt stay 
Big Sur Camping Guide: Best Campgrounds Along Highway 1Where to camp in Big Sur, from redwood state parks to private campgrounds and dispersed sites, with booking tips and what to expec
Death Valley Camping in WinterA practical guide to camping in Death Valley during the cool winter season, including the best campgrounds and what to pack.
Lone Pine Camping Near Mount WhitneyWhere to camp around Lone Pine before a Mount Whitney climb, from Whitney Portal to the Alabama Hills, with elevations that help yMore guides in this state
Lake Tahoe With Kids in Summer: Beaches, Easy Trails and Where to StayA summer family trip to Lake Tahoe: Sand Harbor reservations, the walk to Vikingsholm, Balancing Rock, Taylor Creek, where to base
Family Trips in Northern California: Redwoods, Yosemite Waterfalls and Lassen’s MudpotsYosemite’s valley waterfalls, Lassen’s boiling mudpots, the coast redwoods and Muir Woods: five Northern California family trips, 
Channel Islands Day Trip: Which Island to Pick, the Boat and a Plan for the DayIsland Packers runs day trips to the Channel Islands from Ventura and Oxnard. Anacapa is the short, simple outing; Santa Cruz is b
How Many Days Do You Need in Death Valley National Park?One day covers the main overlooks and Badwater Basin. Two days adds a hike and the dunes at the right light. Three or more lets yo
Iron Door Cave in Joshua Tree: How to Find It, Plus Chasm of Doom and Maze LoopIron Door Cave, Chasm of Doom and the Maze Loop are not official trails. They are unmarked boulder scrambles near Hidden Valley, p
Las Vegas to Joshua Tree National Park: About 3.5 Hours, Two RoutesLas Vegas to Joshua Tree National Park is about 215 miles, roughly 3 hours 30 minutes by car once you're off the interstate. There
How Far Is Death Valley From Los Angeles? Plus Palm Springs and Las VegasDeath Valley is about 266 miles and 4 hours 45 minutes from Los Angeles to Furnace Creek. From Palm Springs it is about 5 hours, a
How Far Is Palm Springs From Joshua Tree? About 45 Minutes, Two Ways InPalm Springs to Joshua Tree is about 34 miles and about 45 minutes to the west entrance. The south (Cottonwood) entrance off I-10 
San Diego to Joshua Tree: About 2 Hours 30 Minutes, and Whether a Day Trip WorksSan Diego to Joshua Tree is about 143 miles, roughly 2 hours 30 minutes to the West Entrance via I-15 and I-10. A day trip works i
San Francisco to Redwood National Park: About 6 Hours, and the Redwoods Closer to the CitySan Francisco to Redwood National Park is about 312 miles and about 6 hours up US-101. Muir Woods, Armstrong Redwoods and Big Basi
Things to Do in Death Valley National Park: 15 Places Worth the DriveDeath Valley places to visit range from Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, to the moving rocks of Racetrack Playa. Here are
Things to Do in Oakhurst, CA: Bass Lake, Sugar Pine Railroad and the South GateOakhurst, California sits about 16 miles and 25 minutes south of Yosemite's South Entrance on Highway 41, with Bass Lake, a steam 
Towns Near Sequoia National Park: Three Rivers, Visalia, Fresno and the AirportThree Rivers sits right at Sequoia's Ash Mountain entrance, Visalia is about an hour out on Highway 198, and Fresno Yosemite Inter
Yosemite National Park Best Views: 12 Viewpoints and Where the Photos Are TakenTunnel View and Glacier Point are the two viewpoints behind most Yosemite photos you have seen. Here are 12 spots, how to reach ea
Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park: 10 Short Trails Ranked by DistanceThe easiest hikes in Yosemite National Park run from a flat, 0.3-mile loop among the giant sequoias to a 5-mile lake loop with alm
Fall Colors in Yosemite National Park: Peak Weeks and Best SpotsFall colors in Yosemite National Park peak around mid-October, mostly black oaks, dogwoods and bigleaf maples on the Valley floor.
Mariposa Grove of Giant SequoiasHow to visit the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite with kids: the shuttle, the four trails, the Grizzly Giant, winter a
California National Parks Road Trip: 9 Parks, 3 RoutesCalifornia has nine national parks, more than any other state. They split into a Sierra group, a desert group and a northern group
Death Valley National Park Day Trip: The Best Six StopsDeath Valley is two hours from Las Vegas and everything worth seeing on a first visit sits within 40 miles of Furnace Creek. Here 
Joshua Tree National Park Day Trip From Los AngelesJoshua Tree is 135 miles from downtown Los Angeles and the best day trip in Southern California between October and April. Here is
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Road Trip: The RoutesSan Francisco to Yosemite Valley is 195 miles and four hours, and which of the three entrances you use changes the drive completel
Sequoia National Park Day Trip: What Fits in One DayOne day in Sequoia is enough for the Giant Forest, Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, provided you know how slow the Generals Highway 
Yosemite Itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 Days in the ParkOne day in Yosemite is the valley floor. Two adds Glacier Point. Three gets you above the rim on Tioga Road. Here is each version,
Hidden Beaches in California: 12 Coves Worth the ScramblePurple sand, stone spheres that only appear at low tide, and a black beach at the end of a road that dead-ends into wilderness. Tw
Things to Do in Truckee, CATruckee is the Tahoe base that is not on the lake: Donner Lake and the state park, the Pacific Crest Trail at Donner Pass, and six
Things to Do at Lake Tahoe in the WinterTahoe in winter without a lift ticket: snowshoeing, sledding hills, Emerald Bay in the snow, hot springs, and the road closures th
California Road Trip Itinerary: 2 Classic LoopsThe national parks loop through Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, plus the Pacific Coast Highway 
Highway 1 Road Trip Itinerary: The California Pacific Coast HighwayA complete California Highway 1 road trip itinerary, San Francisco to Los Angeles in 3 to 5 days: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, H
20 Best Stops on the Pacific Coast Highway (With Map)The best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway, from Cannon Beach and Cape Perpetua to Big Sur and the Golden Gate, with photos, map 
Anza-Borrego Super BloomHow to catch the Anza-Borrego super bloom in spring, with the best April wildflower trails, where the color peaks, and how to time
The Best Easy Hikes in Death Valley for First-Time VisitorsA guide to the most rewarding short and easy hikes in Death Valley National Park, from Badwater Basin to Golden Canyon.
Best Time to Hike Mount Whitney: Month-by-Month ConditionsWhen to climb Mount Whitney for the best balance of snow-free trail, stable weather, and manageable crowds, broken down month by m
Best Time to Visit Big SurWhen to visit Big Sur for clear skies, wildflowers, fewer crowds, and good hiking, broken down season by season along Highway 1.
John Muir Trail Permit GuideA practical guide to scoring a John Muir Trail permit, including the Donohue Pass exit quota, the lottery on Recreation.gov, and e
Joshua Tree WildflowersA local's guide to catching the Joshua Tree spring wildflower bloom, with the best April trails, elevation timing, and where the d
Yosemite Waterfall Hikes for FamiliesA family-friendly guide to Yosemite Valley waterfall hikes, from the paved Lower Yosemite Fall loop to the misty climb up Vernal F
Yosemite in Winter: Snowshoeing, Firefall and Quiet TrailsWhat to do in Yosemite in winter, from snowshoeing at Badger Pass and the Horsetail Fall firefall to the valley trails that stay o
Half Dome Hiking GuideHalf Dome is Yosemite's most iconic summit,but reaching the top requires a lottery permit, serious fitness, and respect for the ca
Yosemite Valley Hiking GuideYosemite Valley packs more iconic hikes into 7 square miles than anywhere in North America, here's how to navigate the permits, crEvery guide here is written from the trail rather than the trailhead sign, and each one links to the itinerary that puts it into a full trip. If your dates are fixed and you are not sure which half of the state is open, start with the seasonal guides above.
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Free permit watch
You can't hike it if you can't get the permit.
The best hikes in America run on lotteries that open once a year and sell out in minutes. Every trail runs on its own calendar. Pick the ones you want and we do the watching.
The WaveCoyote Buttes North · Arizona / UtahPermitLotterybrutal odds- Half Dome CablesYosemite NP · CaliforniaPermitOpens Mar 1fair odds
Mt. WhitneyInyo NF · CaliforniaPermitOpens Feb 1tough odds
Angels LandingZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
The SubwayZion NP · UtahPermitLotterytough odds
Mount St. Helens Summit ClimbGifford Pinchot NF · WashingtonPermitReservationtough odds
How it works
- An email the morning each window opens, never the day after.
- A 14-day heads-up so you can line up your group and dates.
- Win odds and a ranked backup plan for every trail you pick.
Didn't win? We keep watching. We check recreation.gov every day for The Enchantments, Half Dome and Angels Landing, and email you the moment a sold-out date frees up. Cancellations are the second chance most people never hear about.