Californians can visit more than 200 state parks for free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, through the state’s Outdoors for All initiative.
CALIFORNIA, USA — Californians will be able to visit more than 200 state parks for free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, as Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide initiative to honor Dr. King’s legacy of justice and equality.
The free entry program, made possible through the California State Parks Foundation, is part of the state’s broader Outdoors for All initiative, which removes barriers to park access for families, children, seniors, veterans, and underserved communities.
Programs such as the California State Library Parks Pass, the Adventure Pass, and the Golden Bear Pass already offer Californians opportunities to experience the state’s natural and cultural treasures at no cost.
“Dr. King taught us that ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that,’” Newsom said. “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. That’s why I’m announcing free entry at California State Parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 — because Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored, not erased.”
California’s initiative comes after a major federal policy change made last year.
According to the Associated Press, the National Park Service announced that starting in 2026, free admission for U.S. residents will be offered on President Donald Trump’s birthday, which coincides with Flag Day, but Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth will no longer be included.
Last year, MLK Day and Juneteenth were part of the National Park Service’s free-admission calendar, but the policy shift removes two of the nation’s most prominent civil rights holidays.
Civil rights leaders and lawmakers have criticized the change. Harvard Kennedy School professor and former NAACP president Cornell William Brooks called the decision “raw & rank racism,” while Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada said, “The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” according to the Associated Press.
State Parks Director Armando Quintero said the free-entry program will allow visitors to “reflect on Dr. King’s legacy and plant the seed for continued exploration of the state’s unmatched natural and cultural resources.”
Free vehicle day-use entry will be available at participating parks, though some specialized sites, including certain vehicular recreation areas and partner-operated parks, will still charge fees.
In addition to visiting state parks, Californians are encouraged to participate in MLK Day of Service 2026, coordinated by California Volunteers and the Office of the Governor, which includes volunteer opportunities in community resilience, climate action, and green-space restoration throughout the state.
California’s 280 state parks span mountains, forests, deserts, rivers, beaches, and historic sites, reflecting the state’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.
Through initiatives like the Reexamining Our Past program, the state emphasizes the full story of California and American history, including civil rights and the contributions of indigenous peoples, in contrast to federal policies that some critics say are erasing or whitewashing history.
For a full list of participating parks and free-entry programs, click here.
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