The national reserves of California are some of the most beautiful places in the state. From jaw-dropping canyons to serene lagoons, if you’ve ever visited hotels such as the Good Nite Inn Camarillo or San Francisco and the vast open spaces of California, you’ll know that this tectonic plate-based state is wildly diverse.
Primed for hiking and bouldering, California is a must for adventure travelers and active vacationers. This blog will explore some of the most popular national forests in California, a state so vast that it’d take you 13 days to walk the length of it!
So, What Exactly Is A National Forest?
The National Forests of the USA are wildlife reserves and wilderness safe zones that are regulated by the US Forest Service. These areas are protected by the US department of agriculture and cater to a range of activities for tourists. There are 154 protected areas in the country, with every state but 10 having at least one National Forest. Overall, the national forests of the USA span a massive 780,728.15 square kilometers, of which 80937.128448 square kilometers are in California, coming up to a fifth of the state’s entire landscape.
Inyo National Forest
Just to the East of the Sierra National Forest, the Inyo National Forest is a scrubland, woodland and rocky desert that holds countless secrets for hikers. Across two million acres, visitors, and guests at nearby Good Nite Inn Hotels can climb Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the US, explore the beauty of Mono Lake and Mammoth Lakes Basin and see some of the oldest trees in the world at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
Tahoe National Forest
From the base of the famous Lake Tahoe, the National Forest of the same name is a small and therefore easily navigable woodland at just 235 square miles. For cross country hiking, however, there are a wealth of opportunities as well as skiing during the cold seasons on Mount Lola. Guests at Redwood City Hotels can reach Tahoe National Forest in just under five hours by car, making it a popular hiking spot for locals in the Bay area.
Six Rivers National Forest
As you’d expect, this valley clad national forest in Northern California does indeed have six rivers throughout its 974 thousand acres. This beautiful area promises plenty of hiking trails and can actually see up to 200 inches of rain every year, a lot more than the rest of this famously dry state usually sees.
Modoc National Forest
Modoc National Forest is famous for its beautiful lava beds and whilst it might be tricky to get to in its deep north rurality, the beauty of the eons-old lava beds is well worth a visit. The ancient volcanic past of the area is almost unimaginable today as Modoc is a true hotbed for skiing and sledging due to the high winter snowfall here.
Angeles National Forest
Easy to reach for guests at Los Angeles Good Nite Inn Calabasas, Angeles National Forest is a must for those looking to escape LA’s hustle and bustle. It might only be a half-hour drive from downtown, but you wouldn’t expect it with its lush canopies and stunning Mount Baden-Powell, from which you’ll find some stunning views of the county.
22 Nov, 2021
