These 12 California State Parks Feel Like National Parks Without The Crowds
Some of the most stunning natural wonders sit quietly just beyond the reach of crowded parking lots and long entrance lines.
State parks across the Golden State hold landscapes that rival the grandeur of their national counterparts, yet remain refreshingly uncrowded and accessible.
Towering redwood groves, dramatic coastal cliffs, desert wildflower blooms, and alpine meadows wait for visitors who know where to look.
California protects these spaces with the same care given to its famous national parks, but without the overwhelming summer rush.
Families can wander trails at their own pace, photographers can set up without jostling for position, and nature lovers can listen to birdsong instead of tour bus engines.
These dozen state parks prove that epic scenery does not require fighting for a parking spot or booking campsites months in advance.
Each one offers something special, from hidden waterfalls to ancient forests, and each one feels like a secret worth keeping.
The best part is that most visitors can explore these places on a whim, arriving to find open trails and quiet overlooks that make the experience feel personal rather than packaged.
1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Spanning more than 600,000 acres across the Colorado Desert, this park ranks as the largest state park in California.
The landscape shifts from sandy washes to sculpted badlands, with hidden palm oases tucked into rocky canyons.
Spring transforms the desert floor into a carpet of wildflowers when winter rains cooperate, drawing visitors who time their trips to catch the bloom.
Summer temperatures can soar above 100 degrees, making fall through early spring the most comfortable seasons for hiking and camping.
The park maintains over 500 miles of dirt roads that lead to remote corners where bighorn sheep roam and ocotillo plants stretch toward the sky.
Slot canyons like The Slot and Borrego Palm Canyon offer shade and geological wonder, with walls that narrow to shoulder width in places.
Camping options range from developed campgrounds with amenities to primitive sites where the only light comes from stars.
The park stays open year-round, and entrance remains free, though camping fees apply at developed sites.
Cell service fades quickly once inside the park boundaries, so visitors should download maps and plan routes before arriving.
The town of Borrego Springs sits at the park’s center, offering gas, food, and supplies.
Weekdays see fewer visitors than weekends, even during peak wildflower season.
2. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Ancient redwoods tower above a forest floor carpeted with ferns and sorrel, creating a cathedral-like atmosphere that shifts with the light.
Roosevelt elk wander through the meadows and along the trails, often grazing within feet of hikers who move quietly.
The park protects 14,000 acres of old-growth and second-growth coast redwood forest, with over 75 miles of trails winding through different ecosystems.
Some trees measure more than 300 feet tall and have stood for over 1,000 years, their bark thick enough to survive fires and storms.
The James Irvine Trail leads 4.5 miles through dense forest to Fern Canyon, where vertical walls draped in five-finger ferns create a prehistoric scene.
Fern Canyon gained fame as a filming location for Jurassic Park movies, and the 50-foot walls stay damp year-round from seeping groundwater.
The canyon trail requires wading through Gold Bluffs Creek in several spots, so waterproof footwear helps during visits.
Summer fog keeps temperatures mild even when inland areas bake, making any season comfortable for hiking.
Developed campgrounds offer sites among the redwoods, and a visitor center near the park entrance provides maps and natural history exhibits.
The Coastal Trail section within the park connects to longer routes stretching north and south. Elk can become aggressive during fall mating season, so maintaining distance protects both animals and visitors.
3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The Smith River flows clear and cold along the western edge of this park, its turquoise water contrasting with the dark bark of surrounding redwoods.
This park holds some of the last remaining old-growth redwood forest, with trees that escaped logging due to the area’s remote location.
Ten miles of trails loop through groves where the largest trees measure 20 feet in diameter at their base.
The Stout Grove Trail offers an easy 0.5-mile walk through some of the most impressive specimens, accessible via a summer footbridge across the river.
When the bridge is removed for winter, visitors must drive around to reach the grove from a different access point.
The park sits near Crescent City in the far northern corner of California, about 350 miles from San Francisco.
Summer brings the most visitors, but the park never feels as crowded as the more famous Muir Woods.
Camping at Jedediah Smith Campground puts visitors right among the redwoods, with sites that feel private despite being in a developed area.
The Smith River itself draws kayakers and swimmers during warmer months, with several access points along the park’s boundary. Fall colors appear in the understory plants, adding gold and red to the predominantly green palette.
Winter storms can close roads temporarily, and snow occasionally dusts the higher elevations, creating a rare sight in redwood country.
4. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The Avenue of the Giants winds approximately 31 miles through the heart of this park, offering a slower alternative to Highway 101 with pullouts at notable groves.
More than 53,000 acres of forest include over 17,000 acres of old-growth redwoods, making this one of the largest remaining stands.
The Rockefeller Forest contains some of the tallest trees on Earth, with several specimens topping 360 feet.
Trails range from short nature walks to longer backcountry routes that climb into the surrounding hills.
The Founders Grove and Big Trees areas provide easy access for families, with paved or well-maintained dirt paths suitable for strollers.
The Eel River runs along the park’s western boundary, creating swimming holes and gravel bars during summer when water levels drop.
Winter floods can transform the river into a raging torrent that occasionally jumps its banks, reshaping the landscape.
Three developed campgrounds offer sites among the trees, and backcountry camping is allowed in designated areas with proper permits.
The visitor center sits along the Avenue of the Giants and provides maps, books, and ranger-led program schedules.
Weekdays see lighter traffic than weekends, even during peak summer months. Fall brings salmon runs to the Eel River, attracting anglers and wildlife watchers.
The park stays open year-round, though winter storms can temporarily close some roads and trails.
5. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Rocky headlands jut into the Pacific, creating coves where harbor seals haul out and sea otters float on their backs cracking open shellfish.
The water glows turquoise in protected areas where kelp forests sway just below the surface, visible from clifftop trails.
Point Lobos covers 550 acres of land and 750 acres of submerged reserve, protecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Monterey cypress trees grow naturally only here and at Cypress Point, their twisted forms shaped by constant wind.
Eight miles of trails connect different viewpoints and coves, with the Cypress Grove Trail and Sea Lion Point Trail among the most popular.
The reserve limits daily visitors to protect the fragile environment, and parking fills quickly on weekends and holidays. Arriving when the gates open at 8 a.m. ensures entry, while latecomers may face a wait until others leave.
No dogs are allowed, and visitors must stay on designated trails to prevent erosion and protect nesting birds.
Diving and snorkeling are permitted with advance reservations, offering a chance to explore the kelp forest ecosystem up close.
Whales migrate past the point during winter and spring, and the headlands provide excellent viewing spots. The reserve sits just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, making it an easy addition to a coastal road trip.
Afternoon light creates the best conditions for photography, with the sun illuminating the coves and highlighting the textured bark of the cypresses.
6. Mount Tamalpais State Park
The summit of Mount Tam rises 2,571 feet above sea level, offering 360-degree views that stretch from San Francisco to the Farallon Islands on clear days.
Over 60 miles of trails crisscross the park’s 6,300 acres, ranging from steep climbs to gentle ridge walks.
Redwood groves fill the canyon bottoms on the mountain’s north side, while chaparral and oak woodland cover the sunnier slopes.
The Dipsea Trail, one of the oldest footraces in America, passes through the park on its route from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach.
Mountain bikers share many of the fire roads, though single-track trails remain hiker-only. Fog rolls over the ridgelines during summer, creating dramatic scenes as it spills into the valleys below.
The Mountain Theater, a natural stone amphitheater built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, hosts performances during spring and summer.
Parking areas dot the mountain, with the Pantoll Station serving as the main ranger contact point and trailhead hub. Camping is available at Pantoll and at walk-in environmental sites scattered throughout the park.
The summit is accessible by car via a winding road, making the views available to visitors who prefer not to hike.
Spring wildflowers blanket the grasslands, and fall brings migrating raptors that ride thermals along the ridges. The park sits just 16 miles north of San Francisco, yet feels worlds away from urban noise.
7. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Burney Falls plunges 129 feet over a cliff face, but the spectacle comes not just from the main cascade but from dozens of smaller streams that emerge from the porous rock itself.
President Theodore Roosevelt called these falls the eighth wonder of the world, and the constant 100 million gallons flowing daily create a thunderous sound and perpetual mist.
The falls originate from underground springs fed by snowmelt from Mount Shasta and the surrounding Cascade Range.
A paved trail leads from the parking area to an overlook, then continues down to the pool at the base.
The loop trail around the falls takes about an hour and offers multiple viewpoints, including a footbridge that crosses the creek below the falls. The park covers 910 acres, with Lake Britton forming the southern boundary.
Camping, fishing, and swimming are available at the lake, which stays cooler than many California lakes due to its elevation and depth. The campground offers 128 sites, and summer weekends see the park reach capacity.
The falls flow year-round at relatively consistent volume, unlike many waterfalls that diminish in late summer.
Rainbows often appear in the mist during afternoon light, adding to the scene’s beauty. The park sits in the Shasta Cascade region, about 60 miles northeast of Redding.
Fall colors appear in the surrounding forest, and winter occasionally brings snow that dusts the rim but rarely affects access to the falls.
8. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Rolling meadows give way to pine and oak forests as elevation increases toward Cuyamaca Peak, which tops out at 6,512 feet.
The park covers 25,000 acres in the Peninsular Ranges east of San Diego, offering a mountain escape less than an hour from the coast.
The 2003 Cedar Fire burned through much of the park, killing many of the conifers, but the landscape has regenerated with new growth and returning wildlife.
Over 100 miles of trails now wind through areas showing different stages of forest recovery.
The Stonewall Peak Trail climbs 2.5 miles to a summit with panoramic views, requiring some scrambling over granite near the top.
Deer, mountain lions, and black bears inhabit the park, though sightings of the larger predators remain rare.
Spring wildflowers carpet the meadows, and fall brings color to the black oak leaves. Two developed campgrounds provide sites among the trees, and the park stays open year-round.
Winter can bring snow to higher elevations, transforming the landscape and occasionally closing roads temporarily.
The park sits along Highway 79 between Julian and Interstate 8, making it accessible as a day trip or overnight destination.
Fishing is allowed in Lake Cuyamaca, which borders the park, and the town of Julian offers apple pie and small-town charm just minutes away.
Summer temperatures stay cooler than the surrounding lowlands, making this a popular escape during heat waves.
9. Grover Hot Springs State Park
Two concrete pools hold water from the natural hot springs, one maintained at 102-105 degrees and the other kept cooler for swimming.
The springs emerge from the ground at 148 degrees, then get cooled to comfortable temperatures before entering the pools.
The park sits in a valley at 5,900 feet elevation in the eastern Sierra Nevada, about four miles from the tiny town of Markleeville.
Alpine scenery surrounds the developed area, with meadows and pine forest stretching toward granite peaks.
A network of trails leads into the surrounding wilderness, including routes to waterfalls and alpine lakes. The pools accommodate about 50 people total, and the park limits entry when capacity is reached.
Summer weekends see the longest waits, while weekday mornings offer the best chance for a relaxed soak. The facility closes for two weeks each September for maintenance and cleaning.
A 76-site campground operates from late spring through fall, with sites nestled among the pines along Hot Springs Creek.
Winter brings heavy snow that closes the campground but leaves the day-use area and pools accessible when roads are clear.
The water’s high mineral content gives it a slightly sulfurous smell, and the heat soothes sore muscles after hiking.
No lifeguard is on duty, and children must be supervised closely. The park charges separate fees for day use and pool access.
Markleeville offers limited services, so visitors should bring supplies from larger towns along the route.
10. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
McWay Falls drops 80 feet onto a pristine cove beach, creating one of the most photographed scenes along the Big Sur coast.
The waterfall flows year-round, fed by McWay Creek, and the viewing platform sits just a short walk from the parking area.
The park covers 3,762 acres, with most of the land rising steeply into the coastal mountains behind Highway 1.
Redwood and tan oak trees shade the upper portions, while the lower areas near the ocean feature cypress and coastal scrub.
A single main trail leads from the parking lot to the waterfall overlook, making this an accessible stop for travelers of all ages.
The beach below remains off-limits to visitors, protecting both the fragile ecosystem and visitor safety from dangerous surf conditions.
Parking fills quickly during summer months and holiday weekends, with spaces limited to about 40 vehicles.
Arriving before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. increases the chances of finding a spot without circling. The park charges a day-use fee, and there are camping facilities exist within the boundaries.
Highway 1 can close during winter storms or when rockslides occur, so checking road conditions before the drive makes sense.
The water appears brightest turquoise on sunny afternoons when light hits the cove just right.
11. Limekiln State Park
Four massive stone kilns stand as remnants of the 1880s lime-making operation that once processed limestone from the nearby canyon.
The kilns sit along a short trail that winds through a redwood grove before reaching the beach.
The park covers 716 acres along the Big Sur coast, with Limekiln Creek flowing through a narrow canyon filled with redwoods.
A small campground offers 33 sites, some right along the creek and others up the hillside with partial ocean views.
The sound of waves mixes with creek water and wind through the trees, creating a constant natural soundtrack.
The beach consists of rocky cobbles rather than sand, and surf crashes against offshore rocks and the base of the cliffs.
A waterfall drops 100 feet in the canyon above the kilns, accessible via a steep trail that requires scrambling in places. Winter rains increase the waterfall’s flow dramatically, while summer reduces it to a trickle.
Highway 1 provides the only access, and the narrow road winds dramatically along the coast with frequent turns and limited shoulders.
The park entrance sits about 54 miles south of Carmel and 2 miles south of Lucia. Cell service is nonexistent, and the nearest gas and supplies are many miles away in either direction.
The campground fills quickly during summer, and reservations open six months in advance. Day-use visitors can park near the entrance and walk the short trails to the kilns and beach. The redwood grove stays cool and shaded even on hot days.
12. Castle Crags State Park
Granite spires shoot up more than 6,000 feet, their pale rock faces gleaming against the sky and standing in sharp contrast to the surrounding forest.
Mount Shasta rises to the north, its snowy peak visible from many points within the park.
The park covers 4,350 acres along Interstate 5 near Dunsmuir, making it easily accessible for travelers passing through northern California.
Over 28 miles of trails wind through the park, with the Crags Trail climbing 2.25 miles and gaining 2,200 feet to reach the base of the granite formations.
The Sacramento River flows along the park’s western boundary, offering fishing and swimming access during summer.
The Castle Dome rises 4,966 feet and attracts rock climbers who tackle routes ranging from moderate to extremely difficult.
Hikers can reach viewpoints that look out over the Crags and toward Mount Shasta without technical climbing skills.
Spring wildflowers bloom in the meadows and along the trails, while fall brings color to the dogwood and maple trees.
A 76-site campground sits along the banks of Castle Creek, with sites shaded by pines and oaks. The elevation ranges from 2,000 feet at the campground to over 6,000 feet at the highest points.
Summer temperatures can reach the 90s in the lower areas, while the upper elevations stay cooler. Winter brings snow to the Crags themselves, though the campground area usually sees only occasional dustings.
The park remains open year-round, but winter storms can temporarily close trails at higher elevations.
