Located at: 296 E Roosevelt Road, Long Beach, California

Long Beach, California, is home to the smallest national park called Bixby Knolls National Park (BKNP). This park is only a national park is only by name and not by official status. This tiny pocket park has all the elements of a national park: hiking/walking trail, wildlife including bears, tall trees, a bridge, and shuttle stop. It also has the required park map and surrounding locale that carries souvenirs.

Measuring in at 0.05 acres, BKNP is about the size of an average front or backyard. It serves as an excellent example of what a homeowner can do with some fun and imagination.

As we all know, national parks are renowned for their wildlife and there is no shortage of wildlife here at BKNP. Woodland creatures such as bears and moose are represented along with plenty of birds for birdwatchers. Other more realistic creatures include bees and butterflies which feast on the native plants.

National parks are not without their lore stories and the prints of extra large feet to rings that fairies may visit, add to the mythical stories.

The walking trail stretches 0.01 miles and runs along some native shrubs such as buckwheat, white sage, desert globemallows, white guara, and cleveland sage.

Along the trail is a bridge with a great view of the snow-capped mountains and streaming waterfalls. The majestic views add to the ambiance of being at one of our major national parks.

If you enjoyed your time at BKNP and you’re craving to take a piece of it with you, you can cross the street to the local bake shop and purchase some souvenir rocks and the local favorite, a bear claw. As with any national park, its surrounding town enjoys the national park tie-in and the Bixby Knolls area has decorated their utility boxes with scenes straight from the national park.

Your arrival and departure can also be done in a safe and environmental manner through transit. BKNP has a local shuttle service which is decorated as a wooden bench to tie into the forest theme.

Bixby Knolls National Park is a great example of a park area that is really the size of a backyard or garden. It engages people with their small space. Any home can duplicate these elements from using native plants, to installing a walking trail or dry bed, to decorating their garden with a thematic interest.

There is no charge to visit this park and it is open all year round. It is located at the corner of Long Beach Boulevard and Roosevelt in Long Beach, California.