States California

Cell Coverage for Hiking in California

Find cell service information for 20 hiking trails across California. Know which carrier works best before you hit the trail.

Coverage Overview

Verizon Best Overall

Generally offers the best coverage in California's mountain and rural areas.

AT&T Good in Towns

Strong coverage near populated areas, weaker in remote backcountry.

T-Mobile Urban Focus

Best along highways and in cities, limited in wilderness areas.

All Trails in California

20 trails with coverage information

Half Dome Trail

Yosemite National Park

16.0 miles • Hard • 4800 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Mist Trail to Vernal Fall

Yosemite National Park

5.4 miles • Moderate • 1000 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Yosemite Falls Trail

Yosemite National Park

7.2 miles • Hard • 2700 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Mount Whitney Trail

Sequoia National Park

22.0 miles • Hard • 6100 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Runyon Canyon Loop

Los Angeles

3.5 miles • Moderate • 800 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
2
ATT
2
TMO

Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon

Los Angeles

6.4 miles • Moderate • 1050 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
2
ATT
2
TMO

Mount Tamalpais East Peak

San Francisco Bay Area

5.4 miles • Moderate • 1100 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Muir Woods Main Trail

San Francisco Bay Area

2.0 miles • Easy • 200 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Mission Peak Trail

San Francisco Bay Area

6.2 miles • Hard • 2100 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Torrey Pines Beach Trail

San Diego

2.4 miles • Easy • 300 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
2
ATT
1
TMO

Potato Chip Rock Trail

San Diego

7.5 miles • Hard • 2000 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
2
ATT
1
TMO

Ryan Mountain Trail

Joshua Tree

3.0 miles • Moderate • 1050 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
1
ATT
1
TMO

Golden Canyon Trail

Death Valley

3.0 miles • Easy • 400 ft elevation gain

1
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Ewoldsen Trail

Big Sur

4.5 miles • Moderate • 1600 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
1
ATT
1
TMO

Lands End Trail

San Francisco

3.4 miles • Easy • 350 ft elevation gain

4
VZN
4
ATT
4
TMO

Mount Baldy via Devils Backbone

Los Angeles

11.0 miles • Hard • 3900 ft elevation gain

2
VZN
2
ATT
2
TMO

Tomales Point Trail

San Francisco Bay Area

9.4 miles • Moderate • 900 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Moro Rock Trail

Sequoia National Park

0.5 miles • Moderate • 300 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

General Sherman Tree Trail

Sequoia National Park

1.0 miles • Easy • 200 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Alamere Falls Trail

San Francisco Bay Area

13.0 miles • Hard • 1600 ft elevation gain

0
VZN
0
ATT
0
TMO

Hiking Safety Tips for California

Download Offline Maps

Always download trail maps before leaving cell service. Apps like Gaia GPS and AllTrails offer offline mode.

Share Your Plans

Tell someone your hiking itinerary and expected return time, especially in areas with no cell coverage.

Satellite Communication

Consider a satellite communicator like Garmin inReach for emergencies in remote backcountry areas.

Carry Physical Maps

A paper topo map and compass don't need batteries or cell service. Essential for backcountry navigation.