Have you ever wondered which state has the most national parks? The answer is California, with a whopping 9 National Parks.

Inside this post, you will find a little information on three of the lesser-known parks and why you should visit them. 

Chances are you’ve likely already visited Yosemite, Pinnacles, and Joshua Tree. Or at the very least know their names. The same for Redwood, Sequoia and Kings Canyon.

But what about these three lesser-known gems California has been hiding?

Channel Islands National Park

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One of these whale tails is not like the others! It’s Marine Monday! Time to check in on our migrating gray whales! Did you know individual gray whales can be identified by unique gray and white coloration patterns that extend onto their flippers and flukes (tails)? Researchers and whale enthusiasts have used these markings to photo-identify and follow individual whales on their long annual migration. Of the three posted photos, two are of the same whale. Can you spot the odd tail out? Do you have a good fluke photo of a gray whale spotted in the Santa Barbara Channel? If so, use the #graywhale2019 to see if we can track it on it’s journey! (Photo credit: Tim Hauf, timhaufphotography.com) #marinemonday #channelislands #channelislandsmarinesanctuary #channelislandsnationalpark #whales #whalewatching #graywhales #whalemigration #findyourpark #encuentratuparque

A post shared by Channel Islands National Park (@channelislandsnps) on Feb 25, 2019 at 11:34am PST

It’s not surprising this park hasn’t been on your radar, considering it’s a bit of a distance from the mainland. It’s made up of five remote islands (San Miguel, Santa Rose, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara) off to the southern coast.  And in order to get there, you have to take a plane or boat ride.

So, it’s kind of an adventure before you get to your adventure. But, you will enjoy every bit of the scenery on your way there. Much of the national park is underwater which means there is much kayaking, whale watching, and sea caving fun to be had. 

Death Valley National Park

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Fall colors? Yeah we've got those too! Actually, our #fallcolors last throughout the year at Artists Palette. The colors pop most around sunrise and sunset as seen in this colorful image by @jaxsonpohlmanphotography. #protip hang out a few minutes after sunset with a longer shutter speed to really push the colors in photographs! {image description: highly eroded, multi-hued badlands hills highlighted by soft light}

A post shared by Death Valley National Park (@deathvalleynps) on Oct 7, 2019 at 6:18pm PDT

Another underrated national park in California is Death Valley. Yeah, you’ve heard of it. But still, there aren’t as many visitors compared to the other parks. Perhaps because of the name.

How did it get its name, anyway? Well, close to 200 years ago, a group of explorers got lost there and only one of them died. But certain their whole group would die also, they named the area “Death Valley.”

Don’t let the name put you off though. Yes, it’s the hottest and driest of all the national parks, but there is quite a bit of life inside the park including the wildflowers that bloom there every spring.

In most areas though, you do get a feeling of being completely alone out there. But that’s what visitors like the most. That – and also how diverse the landscape is. It’s a great spot for unique photographs with all of its colorful rocks, sand dunes, canyons, and hills to explore. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park 

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Enjoy a fall hike to one of three steamy spots in the southeast corner of the park. The Warner Valley Trailhead, accessed via the town of Chester, provides access to Devils Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake, Terminal Geyser, and more. ♨️🌄The road into Warner Valley will remain open until snow closure for the winter season. 📷: Boiling Springs Lake and Lassen Peak. #BoilingSpringsLake #hydrothermal #WarnerValley

A post shared by Lassen Volcanic National Park (@lassennps) on Nov 18, 2019 at 2:18pm PST

If hiking is your thing, how cool would it be to say you hiked this volcano on the northeastern side of California? Don’t worry, nothing has erupted here since the 1920s. And for that reason, it isn’t considered an active volcano.

Things do bubble up from the ground from time to time like sulfur boiling pots. But, there are bridges and walkways to carry you safely around them.