California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day

Find a full list of participating parks here  —  they’re the same ones that accept the California State Library Parks Pass all year long. And, if you need some ideas for state parks to visit on Monday, here’s a handy list.

According to the release, the California State Parks Foundation, which also supports the library pass, is funding the fee-free day.

“Free entry days like MLK Day and programs like the Library Parks Pass help ensure that cost is never a barrier to experiencing California’s state parks,”  Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, said in a statement.

Historic cars and barn of the Mt Tamalpais Gravity Railroad, Mill Valley, California, May 3, 2025. (Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)

The move is Newsom’s latest to position himself at odds with the president.

“The contrast couldn’t be sharper,” the release reads, “between Newsom’s commitment to make parks accessible and the Trump administration’s policies.”

Newsom specifically called out new Trump-era policies that charge foreigners extra to access national parks and require ID checks, which the governor said run contrary to King’s legacy.

“While the Trump administration tries to erase his legacy and turn national parks and monuments into places of exclusion and fear, California answers with light,” Newsom said.

Which fee-free California state parks should I visit?