Green Drives, Golden Views: California’s National Parks by EV

California has more national parks — nine — than any other state. Added up, the parks span over 7,500,000 acres of land and water and dot almost every section of the state, from the mighty redwood trees up north to the rugged Joshua trees down south. 

California also leads the country in another sector: electric vehicles (EVs). With over 1,500,000 zero-emission vehicles registered in the state (as of December 2023), the Golden State is home to over a third of the nation’s EVs.

From its parks to its park-friendly cars, California truly has it all. And, with Frontier Group’s new interactive map of America’s state and national parks with charging stations or chargers nearby, road-tripping with an EV just got a lot easier. The hardest part now is choosing where to go. 

Looking to reconnect with nature? Here’s a nearby park for three of California’s largest cities. Whether you’re heading out for a quick day trip or planning to stay for a night (or two), you can drive with the confidence that EV charging stations are everywhere.

Park with great EV charging to visit if you’re leaving from Los Angeles

Head east to Joshua Tree National Park. A short two-and-a-half-hour drive (approximately 130 miles) transports you to a completely different world full of natural wonders: mind-blowing rock formations, starry night skies, rugged desert wildlife and — of course — the iconic, funky-looking Joshua trees. Take a hike in the morning while it’s still cool. Climb on top of a giant granite boulder. Explore the sandy terrain on horseback. And keep your eyes peeled for the infamous venomous population — scorpions and rattlesnakes, for two.

Charge up your EV before you leave at one of LA’s thousands of public charging stations or use one of the 28 charging ports near the park upon arrival.

Park with great EV charging to visit if you’re leaving from San Francisco

Set off east towards the Sierra Nevadas to perhaps America’s most legendary park: Yosemite National Park. Just about four hours away (or 170 miles) lies some of the world’s best waterfalls, biggest sequoia trees and greatest granite cliffs. Camp overnight at one of the 13 campgrounds to engross yourself in nature. Take in the panoramic rocky views from a hike through the valley. And be on the lookout for the park’s furry inhabitants — black bears, mountain lions and gray squirrels, to name a few — and kaleidoscopic wildflowers.

With 65 charging stations in the park itself and another 24 nearby, you can explore the park’s natural beauty without having to worry about your vehicle’s range.

Park with great EV charging to visit if you’re leaving from Fresno

It takes about five-and-a-half hours (340 miles or so) to reach one of the hottest and most dramatic landscapes in the county: Death Valley National Park. Known for its stark beauty, extreme temperatures, and diverse desert terrain, the park provides a host of unforgettable experiences. Take your car down one of the many winding backcountry roads. Visit the painted canyons and the windswept dune hills — which you might recognize as the planet Tatooine from Star Wars. Or head down to the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin, to be among the salt flats.

With charging stations available along the route (in Tulare, Bakersfield, and Mojave) and 5 ports within the park itself, your electric vehicle is fit for the adventure.

As with any adventure, plan ahead and have a backup plan

On any trip, gasoline or electric-powered, the unexpected can happen. The experience will be even less stressful if you plan ahead, using an app like PlugShare to confirm that charging stations are open and operational, accounting for the impact of terrain and weather on your car’s range, and having a backup charging plan just in case. Chargers can break, be blocked by gasoline-powered cars, or be crowded during busy travel periods. With more stations coming on line all the time, those headaches should ease up as time goes on. Note that our map of parks with chargers includes both Tesla and non-Tesla chargers. As time goes on, that difference will matter less, as new cars use Tesla charging infrastructure and more vehicles become able to use both. It’s only getting easier to plan your EV adventure.

Plan your EV trip today

With an EV, the possibilities are endless. Create lasting memories in America’s greatest parks without leaving a trace, ensuring their splendor for future generations.