Best National Parks Near Orange County, CA (2024)
Orange County is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. We have plenty of beautiful local parks and beaches.
However, if you’re looking to venture outside of OC, there are several magnificent national parks nearby. It can be tough to decide which one to visit!
To make your decision a little easier, we've compiled a list of the top 3 best national parks to visit from Orange County. These parks were selected based on their proximity to OC, so you can spend more time exploring and less time traveling.
1. Joshua Tree National Park
Distance from Anaheim, CA: 111 miles or one hour and fifty minutes
Joshua Tree National Park is other-worldly. The unique trees that dot the desert landscape make it feel like you’re on another planet.
It is an incredibly peaceful place, great for hiking, camping, and bouldering. It’s also the only national park that’s an easy day trip from Orange County.
It’s best to visit in the non-summer months when the weather is nice and cool.
2. Death Valley National Park
Distance from Anaheim, CA: 215 miles or 3 hours and 45 minutes
Death Valley National Park is another beautiful national park located in a desert setting. There are multiple points of attraction including sand dunes, salt flats, and badlands.
During the summer months, Death Valley is one of the hottest places on the planet (it holds the world record—134° F!). We’d strongly recommend visiting during the winter months when the weather is more pleasant.
3. Sequoia National Park
Distance from Anaheim, CA: 230 miles or 3 hours and 50 minutes
For forest landscape lovers, Sequoia National Park is a dream. Here, you can see some of the tallest trees on earth.
Unlike the aforementioned parks, Sequoia is perfectly lovely to visit in the summertime. However, we recommend a spring visit for milder weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a National Park and a National Forest?
The differences a slight for everyday tourists—but essentially, National Parks are designed to be preserved whereas National Forests can be used for resource mining and recreation. Camping, hiking, and other recreational activities can be done in both settings.
What other National Parks are nearby besides the ones listed?
Consider the National Parks below. We did not include them on the main list because of the longer travel times.
Grand Canyon National Park - one of the most visited national parks!
King’s Canyon National Park - often overlooked in favor of Sequoia National Park
Channel Islands National Park - one of the least visited parks due to accessibility (can only be accessed by boat or plane)
Are dogs allowed at these National Parks?
Dogs are permitted in picnic and campground areas only. We recommend leaving your pet at home.
