Yosemite National Park
Valley, High Sierra, Tuolumne Meadows. Iconic for a reason. Reservations required May–Sept for day use. Wilderness permits required for overnight.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP
Giant trees and the deepest canyon in North America. Less crowded than Yosemite. TUBC's most-visited Sierra park.
Joshua Tree NP
Desert hiking, climbing, and stargazing. No water in backcountry — pack everything in.
Death Valley NP
Largest national park in the contiguous US. Best Nov–Feb. No permits required for most camping.
Channel Islands NP
Accessible only by boat. Pristine coastline, endemic wildlife. Reserve ferry and campsite well in advance.
Zion National Park
Narrows, Angels Landing, Zion Traverse. Shuttle system in peak season. Permits required for Angels Landing and Zion Narrows bottom-up.
Inyo National Forest
Manages access to many iconic eastern Sierra destinations including Whitney, Bishop area, and the JMT.
Angeles National Forest
Our local backyard. No entrance fee. Adventure Pass required for parking at some trailheads.
Los Padres National Forest
Stretches from Ventura to Big Sur. Condor wilderness, hot springs, and rugged terrain.
Mojave National Preserve
Often overlooked gem. Lava tubes, sand dunes, Joshua trees, historic mining sites. No entrance fee.