DestinationsBest Beginner Hikes in California: A Season-by-Season Guide
California has nine national parks and 840 miles of coast. Here is how to pick a first hike that matches the season and your fitness.
US National Parks
The National Park Service runs 63 national parks plus more than 400 monuments, seashores and historic sites. Entry is by vehicle fee or annual pass, ranger programs inside the parks are free, and several of the busiest parks now require a timed entry reservation booked well in advance.
Community and outdoor events near the parks
Park entry, tours and ranger programs are booked through the National Park Service and Recreation.gov, not through ticketing. These are ticketed community and outdoor events happening around the country.
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Browse all activitiesPlan your national parks trip
These are the official and authoritative sources for national parks in the United States — permits, conditions, safety and access.
NPS — Find a ParkThe official source for hours, fees, closures and alerts at every NPS site.NPS — Fee-Free DaysThe handful of days each year when entrance fees are waived nationwide.America the Beautiful PassAnnual pass covering entry to all federal recreation sites — pays for itself in about three park visits.Recreation.govTimed entry reservations, cave tours, permits and campgrounds.
National Parks guides
All articlesDestinationsFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter a national park?
Most charge a per-vehicle fee valid for seven days, typically between $20 and $35. The America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry to every federal recreation site and is cheaper than roughly three separate park entries.
Which national parks need timed entry reservations?
Several of the busiest have used seasonal timed entry, including Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite and parts of Zion. The requirement changes year to year, so always check the park website before travelling.
Are national park ranger programs free?
Ranger walks, talks and Junior Ranger activities are free once you are inside the park. Cave tours, guided climbs and concessioner-run trips are booked and paid separately, usually through Recreation.gov.
When is the best time to visit a national park?
Shoulder season — late spring and early autumn — gives you open roads without peak crowds. July and August are busiest everywhere except the desert parks, which are dangerously hot in summer and best from November to March.