Best National Parks On The West Coast
Looking for the best national parks on the west coast of the USA? You have found it. We will go through everything you need to know so you can choose which national park will be best for you to explore.
The United States of America is known for having magnificent cities and breath-taking nature that can’t be missed during your trip. The country has official 62 national parks that stretch from coast to coast. It is simply impossible to visit all the parks within a couple of weeks.
If you are planning on visiting more than seven national parks within a year, consider getting a National Parks Pass that will save you money on parking and entrance fees.
The parks are open all year round. They offer various activities such as camping, hiking, cycling, and wildlife viewing. If you are preparing to travel along the USA’s West Coast and looking into visiting national parks, you came to the right place.
Here you will find a list with the best national parks known for deep forests, steamy geysers, canyons, and unique natural wonders.
Yellowstone National Park
The first national park in America, the Yellowstone National Park stretches over 3,472 square miles. It sits on top of the supervolcano, which suppliers the park with 60% of the world’s geysers and hot springs. The park welcomes millions of tourists every year.
Yellowstone National Park is home to bison herds, grizzly bears, coyotes, wolves, deer, and elk. Visitors can see the park’s wildlife while travelling through various valleys or visiting its wildlife centres.
If you like adventures, the park offers numerous hiking trails leading to the Mt. Washburn, Avalanche Peak, Shoshone lake, and more. There are even more walking trails to the various geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots.
Location: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
When to visit: March to May, or between September and October if you want to avoid crowds. To have the best camping experience, visit during summer months.
Points of interest: Grand Prismatic Spring, the Old Faithful Geyser, Upper Geyser Basin, Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Lake, and Boiling River.
Where to stay: Canyon Village or Old Faithful Inn
Duration: 4 days (7 days if you plan hiking)
What to pack: A pair of hiking shoes like this one
Recommended article: Best 40L travel backpack
Zion National Park
Described as one of the smallest national parks in the USA, Zion National Park is a must to visit destination if you are travelling to Utah. It is a perfect location for family and group of friends as there are tons of unique things to do.
Covering the area of 593.3 square kilometres, Zion National Park is mostly known for its red canyons, numerous hiking and walking trails, and fascinating emerald pools.
If you aren’t good at hiking or walking long distances, you can try well-known Canyon Scenic Drive that will take you through the beautiful landscape.
Zion is also famous for archaeological findings such as cave paintings and rock carvings which teach visitors about the lives of indigenous people.
Location: Utah
When to visit: The best time to visit Zion National Park is between April and May, or from September to October.
Points of interest: Angel’s Landing, the Narrows riverside walking trail, Canyon overlook trail, Lower Emerald Pool, Checkerboard Mesa, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, and Many Pools.
Where to stay: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Zion Suites of Hildale, or Econo Lodge Hurricane
Duration: 5-7 days
Arches National Park
Located just 8 kilometres north of Moab, Arches National Park Utah, used to be known as Moab National Park, contains the world’s largest concentration of natural orange sandstone arches. The visitors can enjoy over 2000 sandstone arches within the park’s 76,518 acres space.
Arches National Park is also famous for its geological formations such as balancing rocks, high pinnacles, and rock gardens. There are numerous hiking and walking trails suitable for all family.
If you are visiting park only for a day, Arches Scenic Drive is the best option to explore the area as it takes you along the major viewing points of the park and allows seeing arches up close.
Location: Utah
When to visit: April through May, and September through October. Try to avoid summer months as the weather gets too hot to comfortably explore the park.
Points of interest: Arches Scenic Drive, Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, Garden of Eden, Delicate Arch, and Devils Garden.
Where to stay: Red Cliffs Lodge, Homewood Suites, or MainStay Suites Moab
Duration: 1 day (2 days if you plan to do more hikes)
What to pack: Lightweight camera like this one
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia Park, situated on the Sierra Nevada and one of California’s national forests, attracts millions of tourists each year. The park offers various kinds of activities, including rock climbing, horse riding, hiking, fishing, and walking. It is popular amongst solo and group travellers, families, and couples.
The national park is well-known for its giant sequoias. The main attraction of the park is General Sherman Tree – the largest living organism in the world – which fascinates every visitor.
Apart from forests, Sequoia National Park offers incredible hiking trails, magnificent waterfalls, clear alpine lakes, and stunning rock formations. If you have a very limited time in the park, take the General’s Highway, which will lead you through the park’s highlights.
Location: California
When to visit: From May to October when the weather is quite stable. If visiting during winter and early spring, snow chains might be required for the car.
Points of interest: The Giant Forest, Moro Rock, Mount Whitney, Crystal Cave, Hume Lake, General’s Highway Scenic Drive, General Sherman Tree, Grizzly Falls, and Buck Rock Lookout.
Where to stay: Cedar Grove Lodge, John Muir Lodge, or Wuksachi Lodge
Duration: 2 days (7 days if hiking a lot)
Kings Canyon National Park
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada and next to the Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park has the deepest canyon in the United States of America. It is also the least visited park in the Sierra Nevada.
The park offers high trees, deep valleys, and unique rock formations. Kings Canyon National Park consists of two parts: Grant Grove (home to the ‘Nation’s Christmas Tree – General Grant Tree) and Cedar Grove (the perfect place to snap stunning photos). The park is also home to Redwood Canyon – the largest grove of sequoia trees in the world.
It is recommended visiting Kings Canyon together with Sequoia National Park as both parks are connected and offer similar experiences.
Location: California
When to visit: May to September is a perfect time to visit the park. If you are travelling during other months, expect some snow.
Points of interest: Grant Grove, General Grant Tree, Cedar Grove, King’s Canyon Scenic Drive, and Pacific Crest Trail.
Where to stay: Kings Canyon Lodge, Cedar Grove Lodge, or High Sierra Camp
Duration: 2 days
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park, which is sometimes called Redwood State and National Park, is a magnificent place filled with enormous trees, relaxing nature, and countless walking trails. It has to be included in everyone’s travel list.
Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on the Earth which can reach 113 metres (about 5 stories taller than a Statue of Liberty). The park is listed as a World Heritage Site and protected by International Biosphere Reserve.
Park visitors will be able to spot magnificent wildlife, including Roosevelt Elk, whales, seals, and more. There are also numerous scenic drives along the beach and deep inside the forests.
Location: California
When to visit: To fully enjoy the national park, visit during summer months.
Points of interest: Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Klamath River Overlook, the Big Tree, Trillium Falls, Fern Canyon, Tall Trees Grove, and Stout Grove.
Where to stay: Trinidad Inn, Lost Whale Inn, or Elk Meadow Cabins
Duration: 4-6 days
Glacier National Park
Established in 1850 and known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is one of the best national parks on the west coast. The park offers breath-taking waterfalls, colourful wildflowers, glacial valleys, and rich wildlife.
Glacier National Park was once home to 150 glaciers. Currently, the park is left with 26 glaciers that are slowly decreasing due to climate change.
The national park is a hikers’ paradise with more than 700 miles of hiking trails including famous hikes to the Hidden Lake or Logan Pass. The majority of hikes can be easily done with kids and require only basic knowledge of the map.
If you don’t like hiking or stepping into the snow, take the scenic Going-to-the-Sun road drive which takes you through the best viewpoints of the park.
Location: Montana
When to visit: Late June to early September; outside these months the majority of the park’s roads and hiking trails are closed due to snow.
Points of interest: Avalanche Lake, St Mary Lake, Logan Pass, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Hidden Lake, Going-to-the-Sun road, and Iceberg Lake
Where to stay: Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, Sperry Chalet, or Village Inn Motel
Duration: 3 days (4-5 days for hiking)
What to pack: Take a drone with you like this one
Yosemite National Park
One of the most visited national parks in the USA, Yosemite National Park is well-known for its stunning waterfalls, granite mountains and cliffs, hundreds of hiking trails, tall sequoias, and majestic wildlife. No wonder it is named as country’s gem.
The national park is located in the western Sierra Nevada and bounded by Sierra National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest. It was designated as the Word Heritage Site in 1984.
The park is home to the majority of the most scenic hikes in the country, such as Cloud’s Rest, Half Dome, and Four Mile Trail. If hiking isn’t your thing, Yosemite National Park has several scenic drives (Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road) which will let you explore the park without stepping out of the car.
Location: California
When to visit: To avoid the crowds, visit in mid-May or September.
Points of interest: El Capitan, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Wawona Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Mist Falls, and Hetch Hetchy Valley
Where to stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, or White Wolf Lodge
Duration: 3 days (6 days if you are hiking)
Grand Teton National Park
The Grand Teton National Park showcases the extraordinary beauty of nature and has one of the country’s most beautiful scenery. Travellers will have an opportunity to see high snowy mountains, fjord-like lakes, clear rivers, and refreshing falls. The park offers countless hiking and walking trails, boating opportunities, and scenic drives.
Grand Teton National Park is well-known not only for its natural beauty, but also for the stunning preserved ranchers’ houses, fences, and various displays. This makes the park a perfect holiday location for all family.
If you love hiking, try hiking up to the Grand Teton mountain or Schwabacher Landing lookout point which offers one of the best views in the country.
Location: Wyoming
When to visit: To get the most of your trip, visit the national park from mid-May to late September when all road and facilities are open.
Points of interest: Jenny Lake, Grand Teton, Taggart Lake Trail, Phelps Lake, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and String Lake
Where to stay: Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Climbers’ Ranch, Jackson Hole, or Signal Mountain Lodge
Duration: 4 days
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the most famous and the most visited national park in America. It offers magnificent natural beauty and winding roads which are popular among road trippers.
The park’s canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching 6000 feet deep at its deepest point. It also stretches for about 277 miles wide making it impossible to visit without a car.
The Grand Canyon National Park is divided into two parts South Rim (very busy and open all year round) and North Rim (less crowded and closed for winter). If you wish to avoid crowds, select North Rim as the starting point.
For adventure seekers, it is recommended challenging the Bright Angel hiking trail or trying rafting on the Colorado River.
Location: Arizona
When to visit: March through May, and September through November when the temperature is cooler during the day.
Points of interest: Mather Point Overlook, Rim Trail, Geological Museum, Hermit Road Drive, Bright Angel Hiking Trail, Desert View Watchtower, Little Colorado River Overlook, Skywalk, and Eagle Point.
Where to stay: Grand Canyon Village Lodges, Yavapai Lodge, Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, Red Feather Lodge, Phantom Ranch, or Seven Mile Lodge
Duration: 2 days
Death Valley National Park
Situated in California and Nevada states, Death Valley National Park is one of the largest national parks in the United States of America. It is also one of the most diverse national parks and the hottest place on Earth.
The park offers never-ending hiking trails which showcases beautiful views of sand dunes and Sierra Nevada mountain range. The most famous hike leads to the top of Telescope Peak – the tallest peak of Death Valley.
The best way to explore the park is by car as you will be able to drive to other well-known attractions such as The Racetrack, where rocks move across the dry lakebed and leave a track, and Badwater Basin – the lowest elevation point in the country.
Location: California and Nevada
When to visit: Visit from mid-October to mid-May when daytime temperatures are cooler than other months.
Points of interest: Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, the Racetrack, Zabriskie Point, Dantes View, Devil’s Golf Course, Father Crowley Point, Ubehebe Crater, Devil’s Cornfield, and Natural Bridge.
Where to stay: The Inn at Death Valley, Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel, The Oasis at Death Valley, or The Ranch at Death Valley.
Duration: 2-3 days
What to pack: Don’t forget your cap like this one
Joshua Tree National Park
Situated near Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is a famous day trip destination. The park has two different ecosystems: the Mojave Desert, which has the largest concentration of Joshua Trees, and the Colorado Desert with yucca and cholla cactus.
The park is also a popular destination among the hikers as it offers countless unique hiking trails including Lost Horse Mine Hike and Barker Dam trail. If you are travelling with kids or don’t like hiking, take a 90-minute tour around Keys Ranch.
No matter how much time you are going to spend at Joshua Tree National Park, you will find something interesting to see.
Location: California
When to visit: The best time to visit the national park is from March to May and from October to November.
Points of interest: Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Keys View, Barker Dam Nature Trail, Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Keys Ranch, Cottonwood Spring Oasis, and Ryan Mountain Hiking Trail.
Where to stay: The Joshua Tree Inn, Mojave Sands, Pioneertown Motel, Sacred Sands, or Spin and Margie’s Desert Hideaway
Duration: 1 day (2 days if you want to explore deeper)
Conclusion
The United States of America has lots of unique and stunning national parks on its west coast. Unfortunately, this article wasn’t able to fit all of them in one list. It only included several of the best national parks on the west coast that you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.
If you are trying to plan your own trip to the west coast national parks, allow at least two days for each park so you can visit the majority of the most popular attractions. You should also consider spending more days at the larger parks.
Don’t forget to pack extra layers and get your car ready for long drives. Also, be aware that most of the parks are home to bears. Due to this reason, familiarize yourself with bear safety guidelines at the national parks.
Hope you will be able to select several national parks from this list and have the most memorable trip of your life.
Related article: Best national parks on the East Coast
