California
Eureka
There are over 15,000 known hiking and trekking trails in California. This number includes trails in national parks, national forests, state parks, and other public lands. The trails vary in length and difficulty, so there is a trail for everyone in California.
Most popular trails:
John Muir Trail: This 211-mile long trail is a challenging trail that crosses through the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Pacific Crest Trail: This 2,650-mile long trail is a long-distance trail that goes from Mexico to Canada.
Yosemite National Park: This national park has over 1,200 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Sequoia National Park: This national park has over 1,300 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Death Valley National Park: This national park has over 400 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Best trails for certain activities:
Bird watching: The Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge has over 300 species of birds.
Camping: There are many campgrounds in California that offer hiking trails nearby.
Fishing: There are many rivers and lakes in California that are good for fishing.
Photography: Yosemite National Park is a popular spot for photographers.
Stargazing: Death Valley National Park is a great place for stargazing.
Best trails for certain activities:
John Muir Trail: This 211-mile long trail is a challenging trail that crosses through the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Pacific Crest Trail: This 2,650-mile long trail is a long-distance trail that goes from Mexico to Canada.
Mount Whitney: This is the highest peak in the contiguous United States.
Half Dome: This is a challenging hike to the top of a granite dome in Yosemite National Park.
Mount Williamson: This is the second highest peak in the contiguous United States.
Most scenic trails:
Yosemite National Park: This national park has over 1,200 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Sequoia National Park: This national park has over 1,300 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Death Valley National Park: This national park has over 400 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
Big Sur: This scenic coastal area has many hiking trails.
Lake Tahoe: This alpine lake has many hiking trails.
Most family-friendly trails:
Muir Woods National Monument: This redwood forest has many easy trails.
Golden Gate Park: This large park in San Francisco has many trails for all levels.
Point Reyes National Seashore: This park has many trails with stunning views of the ocean.
Joshua Tree National Park: This park has many easy trails among its rock formations.
Mount Baldy: This mountain has a few easy trails to the summit.
Most accessible trails in the state:
Point Reyes National Seashore: This park has many trails that are wheelchair accessible.
Golden Gate Park: This large park in San Francisco has many trails that are wheelchair accessible.
Muir Woods National Monument: This redwood forest has a few trails that are wheelchair accessible.
Yosemite National Park: This national park has a few trails that are wheelchair accessible.
Sequoia National Park: This national park has a few trails that are wheelchair accessible.
Where to get permits for trails:
The web address for the California Department of Parks and Recreation is https://www.parks.ca.gov/. You can find information on all of the state parks and recreation areas, as well as permits and reservations, on their website.
You can also call them at (800) 444-PARK (7275) for more information.
