National Parks are persevered wildlife locations filled with natural and historical wonders for the public to enjoy. There are 423 National Parks in the United States, all featuring unique environments and beauty. A variety of national parks surround Northern California, making them easily accessible to experience. In this list you’ll be able to read about the closest National Parks and Monuments to the Bay Area and the must see locations in each.

1. Yosemite National Park – By far one of the mos t well-known parks in California, Yosemite is 748,542 acres. The park is around 80 miles east of Modesto and is home to the iconic El Capitan and Half Dome rock formations (The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Northern California). The park often reaches its peak capacity during the summer season as it is a popular tourist location.
2. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks – Often referred to as the “Land of Giants” , these parks inhabit the famous large sequoias. These two parks are adjacent from one another and are often visited together.
3. Lassen Volcanic National Park – Remarkably this National Park surrounds Lassen Peak, an active volcano from 1914 through 1917. The volcano creates steam vents and bubbling mud making this park quite a sight (Things to do in Lassen Volcanic Park). If that’s not enough, a large lake is the perfect place to paddleboard.
4. Pinnacles National Park – Formed by strong tectonic plates and volcanic activity . Pinnacles Park is a sight to behold with its caves and rock formations (The Ultimate Guide to National Parks in Northern California). The park is located 80 miles southeast of San Jose.
5. Redwood National Par k – This Park serves as both a National and State Park for California. It’s said to be a good starting point for anyone interested in National Parks. Similar to the Sequoia and Kings Parks, it’s also home to some of the tallest trees in the world.
6. Devils Postpile Nati onal Monument – Although not a National Park, this geologic wonder is recognized as a National Monument. Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and near Mammoth Lake, these 60-foot tall rock columns are foundations for holding such a large rock formation.
7. Lava Beds National Monu ment – Finally, Lava Beds is a National Monument known for their intense cave systems featuring bats, landmarks, and even petroglyphs (National Park Service). Here you can take guided tours through the caves and see the unique structures within them.

For more information about national parks across the United States visit the National Park service website where you can see updates and news for planning your next visit to a park.