Top 5 Best National Park Trips from Los Angeles

Here are 5 national parks that TCS can help your group travel to! Using our large fleet of modern vehicles, including minibuses, mid-size and full-size charter buses, we frequently provide groups with custom travel experiences to these unique, beautiful destinations.

Joshua Tree (127 mi)

A quick three hour drive from Los Angeles gets you to Joshua Tree, a year round destination. Despite its desert and sometimes harsh climate, Joshua Tree is a great place for hiking, exploring, climbing and camping. While most of the park can be seen on a 3 hour drive from the car, it is better to see the rock formations like Hidden Valley and nature during the day and camp overnight to stargaze and watch magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

Death Valley (268 mi)

Home to the lowest point at 282 feet below sea level in the continental United States, Death Valley is a popular destination from Southern California. It sits on the California and Nevada border and can be done on a day trip but camping at Furnace Creek is highly recommended. The Roving Rocks, self-moving rocks, at Racetrack Playa is a geological marvel that needs to be seen while the wildflowers are popular in the spring time. Its desert climate is sight to many geological and natural sights but also ghost towns and remnants of the Wild West.

Yosemite (286 mi)

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite has two distinct regions: the Valley and the High Country. The Valley is a hiker’s and backpacker’s paradise, filled with activities and sights for all. Climbing Half Dome and ascending the Mist Trail are popular activities. The Yosemite Museum and many driving tours offer a bit of history for the more casual traveler. In the High Country, sequoias filled the area and Glacier Point is one of the finest viewpoints the park has to offer. Yosemite’s popularity makes reservations difficult so be prepared to plan in advance or look to travel in the winter and fall where colder temperatures leads to fewer crowds.

Grand Canyon (486 mi)

Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is worth the five hour drive to get there. It has amazing hikes like the Rim to Rim, and scenic viewpoints like Mather and Yaki Viewpoint. The Grand Canyon has more extreme activities like mountain biking and rafting but also has more calm activities like guided tours and scenic drives.

Channel Islands (68 mi + boat/plane ride)

The Channel Islands are a group of five islands that offer breathtaking views, secluded campgrounds, and area specific flora and fauna. While each island offers a slightly different experience, there are plenty activities from ocean sports and whale watching to hiking and mountain biking. The islands are located off the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura and are accessible by a short plane or boat ride. Flexibility and prior planning are highly recommended.