Newsom declares free California state parks for MLK Day

Gov. Gavin Newsom directed more than 200 California state parks to offer free vehicle day-use admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026; the waiver is funded by the California State Parks Foundation and applies to vehicle day-use fees only.

Governor Gavin Newsom directed more than 200 California state parks to offer free vehicle day-use admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. He announced the move after the federal government changed the list of fee-free national park days for 2026. The waiver covers vehicle day-use fees only and is financed by the California State Parks Foundation rather than by taxpayer dollars. Newsom framed the action as a way to honor Dr. King's legacy. Key details: - Free vehicle day-use admission will be available at more than 200 participating California state parks on Jan. 19, 2026. - The fee waiver is funded by the California State Parks Foundation, not by state tax revenue. - The Trump administration removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth and National Public Lands Day from the 2026 fee-free national park calendar and added other dates such as Flag Day and Constitution Day. - Some parks named as participating include Big Basin Redwoods, Half Moon Bay, Sugarloaf Ridge, Doheny, Folsom Lake, Bidwell Mansion and Lake Oroville. - Certain locations will still require fees, including off-highway vehicle recreation areas, sites with per-person or tour fees such as Hearst Castle, and parks operated by partner organizations. Summary: The announcement provides free vehicle entry at participating state parks on Jan. 19, 2026 and represents a state-level response to the federal change in national park fee days. Undetermined at this time.