Visiting America's Most Beautiful National Parks From Lincoln, CA

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, there are few better places to live than the state of California. Some of America’s most beautiful national parks can be found in the Golden State. The city of Lincoln is particularly well-suited to visiting the national parks of California, due to its central location just north of the capital city of Sacramento. Indeed, with its close proximity to beautiful national parks (as well as state parks and national forests), employment levels at higher than the national average, and a great public school system, it’s easy to see why Lincoln CA real estate is in high demand these days.

California is home to nine national parks, as well as numerous national recreation areas, monuments, national seashores, and historical parks also administered by the National Park Service. Due to its central location, all of the national parks in California are within a day’s drive of Lincoln; three of them can be reached in a morning’s drive. Here’s a guide to visiting America’s most beautiful national parks from Lincoln, CA.

Lassen Volcanic National Park
The closest national park to Lincoln, CA is Lassen Volcanic National Park. This spectacular park can be reached from Lincoln in just three hours. Visitors to Lassen are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Cascades and High Sierra Mountains. As its name implies, this park was shaped by millions of years of volcanic activities. Take some time to explore the active hydrothermal areas including Bumpass Hell (a 16-acre hydrothermal “bowl”, the largest area in the park), Sulphur Works (the most easily accessed area), and Boiling Springs Lake (the steam vents under the lake keep its temperature at a predictable 125 degrees). Recreational activities at Lassen Volcanic National Park include auto-tours, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, wildlife viewing and more. To visit Lassen National Park from Lincoln, CA, visit the park online for directions.

Yosemite National Park
Just a little further away to the southeast of Lincoln is the magnificent natural wonder that is Yosemite National Park. Just under four hours from Lincoln, you will find breathtaking waterfalls, impressive cliffs and rock formations, lush meadows, and majestic groves of Giant Sequoias. Yosemite is a fantastic park for wildlife viewing. Over 400 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians make their home here, including Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, black bear, bobcat, mule deer, golden-mantled ground squirrel, and many more. Things to do at Yosemite National Park include camping, backpacking, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more. Visit Yosemite National Park online to plan your visit from Lincoln, CA.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Drive another half hour southeast from Yosemite National Park and you will come to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. If you’re looking to escape the crowds that Yosemite often can draw, this is the place for you. Prepare to be dazzled by pristine high-country lakes and mountain streams, massive snowfields, gargantuan mountains that routinely top 13,000 feet, and of course massive groves of Giant Sequoias. This area is a fantastic place for hiking and rock climbing; Mount Whitney is located on the eastern edge of Sequoia, and the west face of Moro Rock offers 1,000 vertical feet of knobs and cracks. There’s a wealth of climbing opportunities here, ranging in difficulty from a beginner’s level all the way up to expert. Other recreational opportunities at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park include day hiking, overnight backpacking, horseback riding, camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing (don’t miss the ranger guided programs on snowshoes), and more. To plan a visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park from Lincoln, CA, visit the park online.

All of the national parks in California are within a day’s drive of Lincoln. Whether you want to watch seals and sea lions at Channel Island National Park or explore the desert in Joshua Tree National Park, Lincoln is a fantastic gateway to visiting these national treasures. For a complete listing of California’s national parks, visit the National Park Service online.

If you’re looking to buy a home that offers convenient access to everything that America’s beautiful national parks has to offer, consider Lincoln CA homes for sale. Contact a Lincoln CA real estate agent for information and advice on everything you need to know about Lincoln CA real estate.