4 Must Visit National Parks Near Sacramento – Best Places Near Sacramento, California

Sacramento is surrounded by beautiful nature; some are the most stunning national parks, so there are many beautiful places near Sacramento to visit for nature & outdoor lovers. From the geothermal wonders of Lassen to the breathtaking, giant Granite peaks of Yosemite, let’s plan a road trip to visit National parks near Sacramento.

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National Parks Near Sacramento – Beautiful Places Near Sacramento

Let’s learn about some beautiful places to visit near Sacramento: amazing national parks near Sacramento California.

Yosemite National Park

 

Yosemite is world-famous for its towering granite cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, giant sequoias, and scenic valleys. It’s a paradise for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. Just a 3-hour drive away, it’s a perfect escape into nature with iconic views like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.

📍 Distance & Route from Sacramento

• Distance: ~140 miles (3 hours)
• Route: Take CA-99 S to CA-120 E via Oakdale for the most scenic drive into Yosemite Valley.

📍 Scenic Stopovers

1. Jamestown – A charming Gold Rush town with a historic railway museum.
2. Groveland – Gateway to Yosemite with a quaint Old West feel and historic saloon.

📍 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

✅ Glacier Point – Best panoramic view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.

✅ Yosemite Falls – One of the tallest waterfalls in North America.

✅ Tunnel View – Iconic viewpoint featuring El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome.

✅ Mariposa Grove – Home to ancient giant sequoias.

🏨Overnight Stay – Yosemite View Lodge – Located in El Portal, close to the park entrance, with rooms offering river views.

🏕️Campgrounds

• North Pines Campground (Open April–October) – Riverside camping near Yosemite Valley.
• Tuolumne Meadows Campground (Seasonal) – Higher elevation camping for alpine scenery.

🐶Pet-Friendly Tips – Pets are allowed in developed areas, paved roads, and some campgrounds, but not on most trails. Bridalveil Falls Trail and the paved regions around Yosemite Valley are pet-friendly.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen is like a mini-Yellowstone with steaming fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and stunning alpine lakes. Perfect for geothermal wonders and scenic hikes.

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📍 Distance & Route from Sacramento

• Distance: ~150 miles (3 hours)
• Route: Take I-5 N to CA-36 E, then CA-89 N into the park. To reach Lassen Volcanic National Park, you can take Northwest Entrance (Manzanita Lake, CA-44/89).

📍 Scenic Stopovers

1. Shasta Lake is California’s largest reservoir with gorgeous viewpoints.
2. Burney Falls – A breathtaking 129-foot waterfall, often called the “eighth wonder of the world.”

📍 Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park

✅ Bumpass Hell – Largest hydrothermal area with colorful steaming pools.

✅ Manzanita Lake – Stunning reflections of Lassen Peak; great for kayaking.

✅ Cinder Cone Trail – Hike up a volcanic cone for spectacular views.

🏨Overnight Stay – Best Western Rose Quartz Inn – Located in Chester, near the park’s southern entrance.

🏕️Campgrounds

• Manzanita Lake Campground – Near the lake with RV and tent sites.
• Summit Lake Campground – Centrally located, offering lake access.

🐶 Pet-Friendly Tips – Pets are allowed in campgrounds, paved roads, and picnic areas but not on trails. Manzanita Lake’s picnic areas are great for dogs.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles features incredible rock formations and talus caves and is a prime spot for spotting California condors. Great for rock climbing and cave exploration.

📍 Distance & Route from Sacramento

• Distance: ~160 miles (3.5 hours)
• Route: Take I-5 S to CA-25 S (East Entrance (CA-25)) for the most scenic drive.

📍 Scenic Stopovers

1. San Juan Bautista is a famous historic mission town with Spanish architecture.
2. Hollister is a Wine country with scenic vineyard views.

📍 Things to Do in Pinnacles National Park

✅ Bear Gulch Cave – A thrilling cave hike with waterfalls.

✅ High Peaks Trail is a fantastic place to witness breathtaking views and rock formations.

✅ Condor Gulch – Best place to spot the endangered California condor.

🏨Mid-Budget Overnight Stay – Ridgemark Golf Club & Resort – Located near the park entrance in Hollister.

🏕️Campgrounds – Pinnacles Campground is the only campground in the park, with tent and RV sites.

🐶 Pet-Friendly Tips – Pets are allowed only in campgrounds and paved areas but not on trails. Nearby, San Benito County Park has pet-friendly trails.

Redwood National and State Parks

Home to the tallest trees in the world, these parks offer coastal scenery, lush forests, and scenic drives.

📍 Distance & Route from Sacramento

• Distance: ~300 miles (6 hours)
• Route: Take I-5 N to US-101 N, (Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Entrance (US-101, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park), passing through the scenic coastal highway.

📍 Scenic Stopovers

1. Avenue of the Giants – A stunning drive through giant redwoods.
2. Eureka – Historic Victorian-era coastal town.

📍 Things to Do in Redwoods National Park

✅ Fern Canyon – A magical green canyon featured in Jurassic Park 2.

✅ Lady Bird Johnson Grove – Easy trail through towering redwoods.

✅ Prairie Creek Redwoods – Spot Roosevelt elk and ancient trees.

🏨Overnight Stay – Redwood Suites – Located in Ferndale, a charming small town near the parks.

🏕️Campgrounds

• Jedediah Smith Campground – Riverside camping among old-growth redwoods.
• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground – Oceanfront camping with stunning views.

🐶  Pet-Friendly Tips – Pets are allowed in developed areas but not on trails. Some beaches, like Crescent Beach, allow leashed dogs.

Useful Tips – National Parks Near Sacramento Sacramento

✔️ Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds.

✔️ Park Passes: Get an America the Beautiful Pass for unlimited entry to all national parks.

✔️ Packing Essentials: Bring plenty of water, layers, and sunscreen.

✔️ Wildlife Safety: Store food properly to avoid attracting bears in Yosemite and Lassen.

🐾 General Pet-Friendly Tips

• Always keep dogs on a leash.
• Bring extra water and a cooling vest for hot weather.
• Research pet-friendly trails in advance.

From Yosemite’s waterfalls to Lassen’s volcanic landscapes, these national parks near Sacramento are perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or road-tripping, all these parks near Sacramento, California, have something unique.

Which park are you visiting first? 🚗🌲

Picture Courtesy – CanvaPro

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