aweventurer’s guide to the best national parks between LA and Vegas
San Bernardino National Forest
Before travelling from one urban region to another, it would be wise to spend a day in nature and unwind. San Bernardino National Forest is renowned for its breathtaking hiking routes and is home to San Gorgonio, the tallest mountain in Southern California. If trekking is not your thing, there are also trams that take you to the top so you may save all the work and enjoy a relaxing trip. Along the trail, you may also find a variety of animals, such as bald eagles and sheep’s. If you want to visit at the last minute, you should be aware of a few restrictions due to forest fires in the region.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is a park you won't want to miss if you chance to be travelling this route to Las Vegas, despite its location in southern California. This park is home to the distinctive Joshua Trees (as shown above), as well as a variety of California-native cacti, wildflowers, and fan palms! There are so many unique things to see and do that it may take a whole day to explore not one, but two deserts that border the park.
Death Valley National Park
Despite the daunting moniker, this is a must-see stop on your route to the bright lights. As one of the driest and hottest regions in America, hence the “death valley” title, it may appear intimidating or extreme at first appearance (and the world for that matter). After overcoming this obstacle, you will discover the beauty of everything. The vistas are really out of this planet, as if you were walking on Mars. For all the film enthusiasts out there: Have you ever desired to visit Tatooine? Or if you desired to battle a Sandworm from Dune? This may be your only opportunity to capture that emotion. Day or night, there is always something wonderful to behold.
Mojave National Preserve
According to many locals, this is the best park to visit between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Why? It is an easy drive that will just add roughly 30 minutes to your monotonous drive. Also, keep a look out for the desert tortoise, a threatened species whose natural habitat is shrinking. While they offer similar features to the other parks on the list, the fact that there are fewer people means there are more opportunities to take photos and appreciate the scenery.