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Home>Guides>California Grand Tour
Detail Level: 🟢 Quick Overview 🟡 Standard Guide 🔴 Full Expert
🗺️ Quick Facts
📍START/ENDLos Angeles, CA 📅DURATION10 days 🛣️DISTANCE~1,400 miles 🌡️BEST TIMEMay–Jun, Sep–Oct ⭐DIFFICULTYMedium
California National Parks Grand Tour
The ultimate California RV expedition — five national parks, ten unforgettable days. Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, and Big Sur in one epic loop from Los Angeles.
🎟️ Essential: Buy a National Parks Annual Pass ($80) before departure. It covers entry to Joshua Tree ($30), Death Valley ($35), Sequoia/Kings Canyon ($35), Yosemite ($35), and Big Sur state parks. You'll save $100+ easily on one pass.
This is the big one. In 10 days you'll visit five of California's greatest national parks, traversing desert, mountain, sequoia forest, and rocky coastline. The route combines Joshua Tree, Death Valley, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Yosemite, and Big Sur into one cohesive grand loop. Bring a good book for the campfire — you've earned it.
📅 10-Day Itinerary Overview
Days 1–2 — Joshua Tree National Park (165 miles from LA)
Depart LA via I-10 East. Arrive Twentynine Palms. Skull Rock sunset hike, stargazing. Full day: Keys View panorama (5,185 ft), Cholla Cactus Garden, Hidden Valley Trail. Camp at Black Rock or Jumbo Rocks.
Days 3–4 — Death Valley National Park (170 miles from JT)
Exit via north entrance, north to CA-127 to CA-190. Arrive Death Valley by early afternoon. Zabriskie Point sunset. Full day: Badwater Basin salt flats, Artist's Drive, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Optional: Ubehebe Crater volcanic rim walk.
Day 5 — Death Valley to Sequoia (200 miles)
Exit west via CA-190 to US-395 South. Short stop in Lone Pine — Alabama Hills (where hundreds of Westerns were filmed), lunch at Alabama Hills Café. North on US-395 to CA-198 West into Sequoia. General Sherman Tree evening walk.
Day 6 — Sequoia & Kings Canyon Full Day
Congress Trail morning hike among sequoia giants. Drive to Kings Canyon — General Grant Tree, Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, Cedar Grove swimming hole in Kings River.
Day 7 — Sequoia to Yosemite (90 miles, ~2.5 hrs)
North on CA-41 into Yosemite. Arrive via Wawona/South Entrance — Mariposa Grove → Tunnel View → Valley floor. Camp in Yosemite Valley.
Day 8 — Yosemite Full Day
Mirror Lake (arrive before 8am), Yosemite Falls, El Capitan Meadow (watch climbers). Glacier Point afternoon via park shuttle (RVs not permitted on Glacier Point Road). Evening campfire in the valley.
Day 9 — Yosemite to Big Sur (180 miles, ~4 hrs)
Exit via CA-41 South, then west to US-101 to CA-1. Arrive Big Sur via Ragged Point — dramatic coastal entry. Bixby Bridge iconic photo stop, McWay Falls waterfall-on-beach. Camp at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Day 10 — Big Sur to LA (250 miles, ~4.5 hrs)
Morning hike in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Elephant Seal Vista Point at San Simeon (thousands of seals, free). Lunch stop in San Luis Obispo. US-101 South straight back to LA.
🏕️ Campground Schedule (10 Nights)
💰 Price per night All Free Under $25 $25–$40 $40+ ⭐ Rating All 4.0+ 4.5+ 🏷️ Amenities (must have all selected) 💧 Water 🔌 Electric 🚿 Showers 🚽 Dump Station 🔥 Fire Pit 🪑 Picnic Table
NightCampgroundPriceHookups Nights 1–2Black Rock (JTNP) or 29 Palms KOA$25–75Varies Nights 3–4Furnace Creek Campground$22–36Some electric Nights 5–6Lodgepole Campground (Sequoia)$22–36None Nights 7–8Upper Pines / Crane Flat (Yosemite)$36None Night 9Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park$35–50None
📅 Booking Strategy: Book Yosemite FIRST (hardest to get — opens 5 months ahead on the 15th). Then Sequoia. Then Death Valley and Joshua Tree (easiest). All at recreation.gov. Start 6 months before your trip date.
🎯 Highlights by Park
Joshua Tree National Park
- Skull Rock Nature Trail, Keys View (5,185 ft), Cholla Cactus Garden
- Hidden Valley Trail — classic Joshua Tree scenery
- Dark sky stargazing — some of the best near LA
Death Valley National Park
- Badwater Basin (−282 ft, lowest point in North America), salt flat walk
- Zabriskie Point golden badlands at sunrise and sunset
- Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at 7am — magical light and no crowds
- Artist's Drive 9-mile color-mineral loop
Alabama Hills & Lone Pine
- Free BLM land where hundreds of Western films were shot
- Movie Road drive with Mt. Whitney backdrop
- Alabama Hills Café — best breakfast on the Eastern Sierra
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- General Sherman Tree (largest living tree by volume on Earth)
- General Grant Tree (second-largest, Kings Canyon)
- Congress Trail 2-mile loop among giant sequoias
- Kings Canyon Scenic Byway to Cedar Grove swimming hole
Yosemite National Park
- Tunnel View — most iconic national park viewpoint in America
- El Capitan Meadow — watch free climbers on the 3,000-ft granite wall
- Mirror Lake (arrive before 8am for reflections)
- Glacier Point — valley views via park shuttle
- Mariposa Grove — 500+ giant sequoias including the 1,800-year-old Grizzly Giant
Big Sur Coast
- Bixby Creek Bridge — THE iconic California photo
- McWay Falls — 80ft waterfall drops onto the beach (Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP)
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park redwood hikes
- Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon (free)
🌡️ Best Time for the Grand Tour
May–June: Waterfalls at peak flow in Yosemite (snowmelt), wildflowers, moderate temperatures across all parks.
September–October: Crowds thin out after Labor Day, fall colors appear, Big Sur fog clears. Ideal if you missed spring.
Avoid July–August: Death Valley is dangerous (120°F+), Yosemite is at maximum crowds with mandatory reservation systems.
🚐 RV Planning for 10 Days
- Tank planning: 10 days is a long time off-grid in some sections. Identify dump stations every 3–4 days.
- Dump station schedule: Black Rock (Joshua Tree), Furnace Creek (Death Valley), Lodgepole (Sequoia), Yosemite Valley garage area, Pfeiffer Big Sur SP.
- Yosemite Valley limit: RVs over 35ft NOT allowed. Verify your length before booking valley campgrounds.
- Big Sur: Under 22ft strongly recommended for Highway 1.
- Weather variance: You'll go from desert (Death Valley, 80–100°F) to alpine (Sequoia, 6,000ft, possibly 40°F nights) to coastal (Big Sur fog). Pack serious layers.
⛽ Food & Fuel Resupply Points
- Banning/Beaumont (Day 1): Last affordable fuel before Joshua Tree area
- Ridgecrest or Baker (Day 3): Fill full before Death Valley — in-park gas is $6–7/gal
- Visalia (Day 5): Full grocery options near Sequoia
- Fresno (Day 7): Costco, Whole Foods — stock up before Yosemite
- San Luis Obispo (Day 10): Last good fuel before LA run
- Big Sur: Almost no supplies — stock completely before entering
💡 Grand Tour Pro Tips
- National Parks Pass: Buy it online at store.usgs.gov before departure — saves $100+ in entry fees across this route
- Yosemite timed entry: Required May–October. Opens at recreation.gov 2 weeks before visit date. Set a midnight alarm.
- Pacing: 10 days sounds like a lot but moves fast. Resist the urge to add stops — Yosemite and Big Sur each deserve full attention without rushing.
- Death Valley timing: Visit only November–March. Even in "cool" months, carry 10+ gallons of extra water at all times.
- Alabama Hills: Free BLM land, no reservation needed. One of the most cinematic landscapes in the US and often overlooked.
- Bear boxes: Required at ALL campgrounds from Sequoia through Big Sur. Use them every night — rangers issue $5,000+ fines for improper food storage.
📍 Route Summary
Route: LA → Joshua Tree → Death Valley → Lone Pine/Alabama Hills → Sequoia → Kings Canyon → Yosemite → Big Sur → LA
Total Distance: ~1,400 miles
Estimated Fuel Cost: ~$560 (140 gallons @ $4/gal)
NPS Entry Savings with Annual Pass: $100+ vs paying per park
📱 Cell Service & Connectivity on the California Grand Tour
Can you get cell service on a California RV grand tour? Coverage varies dramatically by location — from excellent in cities to non-existent in remote wilderness.
- Excellent: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield
- Good: Yosemite Valley, Sequoia village areas, Lake Tahoe
- Spotty: Eastern Sierra, Central Valley, mountain passes
- None: Death Valley interior, remote Sequoia backcountry, desert wilderness
- Verizon: Best overall coverage for national parks and remote areas
- AT&T: Good in cities, weaker in mountains and deserts
- T-Mobile: Strong urban coverage, very limited in wilderness
💡 Grand Tour Pro Tip: Download offline maps for the ENTIRE route before departure. Many mountain passes and desert stretches have zero service for 50+ miles. Also download entertainment and emergency contact info.
🐕 Pet Policy — Can You Bring Pets on the California Grand Tour?
Pets have mixed restrictions across this route — some locations welcome dogs, others prohibit them entirely.
Pet-Friendly Locations
- Most campgrounds: Dogs welcome on leash (6 ft max)
- Lake Tahoe: Many dog-friendly beaches and trails
- Eastern Sierra: Dogs allowed on most trails and camping areas
- Desert areas: Dogs allowed but protect paws from hot surfaces
- Coastal areas: Many dog beaches available
Restricted Areas
- Yosemite backcountry: Dogs on paved trails only (Valley floor, easy walks)
- Sequoia/Kings Canyon: Very limited dog access to trails
- Death Valley: Extremely hot surfaces, limited shade — not recommended May-September
⚠️ Elevation & Heat Safety: Dogs struggle more than humans with altitude and heat. Carry extra water, watch for panting/distress, and avoid hot pavement (test with your hand first).
🚐 Detailed RV Size Guide for Grand Tour Route
What size RV can handle the California Grand Tour? This route includes mountain passes, winding roads, and varied campgrounds.
Route Section Max Recommended Road Conditions Campground Limits Notes LA to Death Valley40 ftGood highwaysVariesEasy driving Death Valley roads35 ftSome narrow/windingMost sites 30 ft maxCheck specific campgrounds Eastern Sierra (395)40 ftExcellent highway35-40 ft typicalStraight, wide road Tioga Pass (closed winter)32 ftMountain pass, steepLimited campingSeasonal closure Nov-May Yosemite Valley40 ftGood paved roads40 ft limitReservations essential Sequoia/Kings Canyon30 ftWinding mountain roads30 ft maximumSteep grades, tight turns Coastal route home40 ftHighway 101 excellent40 ft+ availableEasy finish Our 25-30 foot Class C RVs handle every section of this route comfortably with excellent maneuverability.
🔋 Dry Camping & Generator Tips for Remote Areas
Is dry camping required on the California Grand Tour? Many locations have hookups, but some of the most spectacular spots are off-grid.
Hookup vs Dry Camping Breakdown
- Death Valley: Limited hookups, mostly dry camping
- Eastern Sierra: Mix of developed and primitive sites
- Yosemite: No hookups, but some electrical at larger campgrounds
- Sequoia/Kings Canyon: Mostly dry camping, limited hookups
- Private RV parks: Available in gateway towns with full hookups
Power Management Strategy
- Generator hours: Usually 6 AM-8 AM and 6 PM-8 PM in parks
- Solar upgrade: Highly recommended for this trip (+$100)
- Battery conservation: LED lights, minimize fridge opening, charge devices during generator hours
- Propane management: Bring extra tanks for cooking and heating
⛽ Gas, Supplies & Services Along the Route
Services vary dramatically — from major cities to stretches with nothing for 100+ miles.
Major Supply Stops
- Los Angeles area: Full services, Costco, Walmart, everything available
- Bakersfield: Last major city before mountain areas
- Ridgecrest: Final supplies before Death Valley
- Lone Pine: Small town, limited but adequate services
- Mammoth Lakes: Resort town, good supplies but expensive
- Fresno: Major city, full services for Yosemite prep
- Visalia/Three Rivers: Last stops before Sequoia
Fuel Strategy
- Never pass a gas station in remote areas — next one may be 50+ miles
- Mountain prices: Expect $0.50-1.50/gallon premium in tourist areas
- RV-friendly stations: Love's, Flying J, major truck stops
- Plan fuel range: Our RVs get 8-10 MPG, 55-gallon tank = 400-500 mile range
🏥 Emergency Info & Safety
- Emergency: 911 (service limited in remote areas)
- Death Valley: Furnace Creek Visitor Center (760) 786-2330
- Yosemite: Valley Visitor Center (209) 372-0200
- Sequoia/Kings Canyon: Foothills Visitor Center (559) 565-3341
- Major Hospitals:
- Southern Inyo Hospital (Lone Pine) — closest to Eastern Sierra
- Mammoth Hospital — ski resort area, well-equipped
- Adventist Health (Hanford) — Central Valley coverage
- Roadside Assistance: All RV We Go rentals include comprehensive support
⚠️ Remote Area Safety: Always tell someone your itinerary. Carry extra water, food, and warm clothing. Weather can change rapidly in mountains. Cell service often non-existent — don't rely on GPS alone.
🌧️ Weather & Seasonal Considerations
Best Time: April-June & September-October
- Death Valley: Perfect in winter/spring (70-80°F), deadly in summer (120°F+)
- High Sierra: Snow closures November-May, best June-September
- Yosemite: Waterfalls peak May-June, less crowded September-October
- Sequoia: Lower elevations year-round, higher areas closed in winter
Seasonal Route Modifications
- Winter: Skip Tioga Pass (closed), use Highway 120 West or Highway 140
- Summer heat: Start Desert portions early (5-6 AM), midday mountain refuges
- Snow season: Carry chains, check road conditions daily
- Fire season (July-October): Monitor air quality and evacuation routes
📅 Sample 14-Day Grand Tour Itinerary
Days 1-3: Death Valley National Park
- Day 1: Irvine to Stovepipe Wells (330 mi, 5 hours)
- Day 2: Badwater Basin, Artist's Palette, Zabriskie Point
- Day 3: Mesquite Flat Dunes, drive to Lone Pine
Days 4-6: Eastern Sierra
- Day 4: Alabama Hills, Mount Whitney views, camp near Lone Pine
- Day 5: Drive to Mammoth Lakes, explore hot springs
- Day 6: Mono Lake, Bodie Ghost Town
Days 7-10: Yosemite National Park
- Day 7: Enter via Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows (seasonal)
- Day 8-9: Yosemite Valley — waterfalls, Half Dome views, hiking
- Day 10: Glacier Point, preparation for Sequoia
Days 11-13: Sequoia/Kings Canyon
- Day 11: Drive to Three Rivers, enter Sequoia
- Day 12: General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock climb
- Day 13: Kings Canyon scenic drive, Cedar Grove
Day 14: Return Home
- Morning: Final park exploration
- Afternoon: Drive home via Central Valley or coast (6-7 hours)
💰 Complete California Grand Tour Cost Analysis
How much does a 2-week California RV grand tour cost? Here's a comprehensive budget for 2-4 people:
Expense CategoryCost RangeNotes RV Rental (14 days)$2,520–$3,780$180/night × 14 nights Campsites (13 nights)$390–$780$30-60/night average (mix of parks) Gas (1,400 miles)$560–$7008-10 MPG, mountain premium pricing National Parks passes$80–$160Annual Pass vs individual entries Food & Groceries$500–$1,200Major savings cooking vs restaurants Activities & Tours$200–$500Optional guided tours, equipment rental Emergency/Miscellaneous$200–$400Repairs, extra supplies, souvenirs TOTAL$4,450–$7,520$1,113–$1,880 per person (for 4 people) Is the Grand Tour cheaper than hotels? Absolutely. Hotels alone for 13 nights in these premium locations run $3,500-$6,500, plus rental car ($700+) and restaurant meals ($1,500+). RV camping saves thousands while providing far superior experiences.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can you RV camp at all California national parks?
Yes, but with restrictions. Death Valley and Yosemite accommodate large RVs, Sequoia/Kings Canyon limit to 30 feet max. Many best spots are dry camping. Book reservations 4-6 months ahead for popular parks. What are the best RV campgrounds for the California Grand Tour?
Top picks vary by park: Furnace Creek (Death Valley), Upper Pines (Yosemite), Dorst Creek (Sequoia). Mix of national park campgrounds and private RV parks for full hookups when needed. What RV size limits exist on the California Grand Tour route?
Sequoia/Kings Canyon are most restrictive (30 ft max). Other parks accommodate larger RVs but camping availability decreases. Our 25-30 foot Class C RVs access every campground on the route. How much does the California Grand Tour RV trip cost?
Total budget: $4,450-$7,520 for 14 days (2-4 people), or $1,113-$1,880 per person for 4 people. Includes everything: RV, campsites, gas, food, park passes. Significantly cheaper than hotel alternative. When is the best time for the California Grand Tour?
April-June and September-October offer the best weather across all locations. Avoid summer for Death Valley (too hot) and winter for high Sierra passes (snow closures). Spring offers wildflowers and waterfalls. Is dry camping required on the California Grand Tour?
Partially yes. Many spectacular locations (Death Valley, some Yosemite/Sequoia sites) have no hookups. Plan power management strategy, consider solar upgrade, and book hookup sites when available for battery recharging.
Ready to hit the road? Book your RV →
This is a trip you'll talk about for the rest of your life. Reserve your RV with RV We Go well in advance — we book out months ahead for Grand Tour season.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All information on this page is provided for general reference only. Prices, amenities, availability, phone numbers, and policies may change without notice. For the most current and accurate information, please contact the campground, park, or service provider directly. RV We Go is not responsible for any inaccuracies or changes to third-party information. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. 💬