Displaying 1 - 20 of 409 Press Releases
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is urging boaters to boat sober, wear a properly fitted life jacket and make safety the priority ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
SACRAMENTO – Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July holiday weekend is the perfect opportunity to have fun in the sun at one of California’s (and growing) state parks. Whether you’re interested in swimming, hiking, boating, recreating in an off-highway vehicle, or watching fireworks over San Francisco Bay, the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system has something for everyone. Following simple safety precautions, such as wearing a properly-fitted life jacket in the water, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding alcohol, can help you and your party have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend outdoors.
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks is excited to announce the release of “(Re)Turning to the River,” a new podcast exploring powerful connections between people and water within the San Joaquin Watershed from its Sierra Nevada headwaters out to San Francisco Bay.
SACRAMENTO– California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is now accepting grant applications for the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Education and Outreach Grant Program.
WEOTT— California State Park Peace Officers (rangers) arrested a suspect in connection with the recent theft of old-growth redwood from Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Christopher David Guffie, 63, of McKinleyville, was taken into custody on June 10 and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on multiple felony charges, including PC 487(a) Grand Theft. The second suspect, caught on remote camera, has been identified. State Parks submitted an arrest warrant through Humboldt County’s District Attorney’s Office and is on the lookout for the second suspect.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks and the Kakoon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone-Costanoan Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria (Kakoon Ta Ruk) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on May 15 to formalize the coordination and partnership between the Kakoon Ta Ruk and State Parks for the state parks within the tribe’s ancestral lands.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks takes these charges against former employee Kevin Pearsall very seriously and has fully cooperated with law enforcement through every step of the investigation. Upon being alerted to these serious criminal allegations, State Parks immediately contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and requested an investigation. Pearsall no longer works for the department and retired shortly after the CHP served search warrants.
SACRAMENTO —California is making the incredible sites that preserve the state’s complex history free to visit through a special limited-time pass. In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is inviting visitors to the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system this summer to “share your space” by entering the 2026 Photo Contest. Starting today through Aug. 1, Californians can submit their top pictures from any of the 280 state parks for a chance to win special prizes.
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today invited community and tribal organizations throughoutthe state to apply for the 2027 Route to Parks Grants. The program will award approximately $1.1 million to help more people in underserved communities experience California’s state parks, the largest and most diverse state park system in the nation. Route to Parks supports the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All Initiative by helping reduce barriers for communities that have historically faced challenges accessing nature and outdoor recreation.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks today is inviting the public to provide feedback on the draft application guide for a $188.5 million competitive grant program aimed at expanding access to parks and recreational opportunities in underserved communities throughout California. The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), now in its fifth round, supports the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All initiative by providing funding to help communities create new parks, improve existing parks and build more outdoor spaces where people can play, exercise, gather and connect with nature.
SACRAMENTO – California State Parks and nonprofit partner Parks California today announced the award of more than $2.4 million to 13 community and tribal organizations across the state as part of the Career Pathways grants program. The funding will support paid training opportunities expected to prepare approximately 380 participants for careers in parks and public lands and includes seven returning grantees and six new partners.
BOULDER CREEK — California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks are pleased to announce the return of the shuttle program at Big Basin Redwoods State Park for summer weekends and holidays in 2026, beginning this Saturday, May 23, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Building on the success of the shuttle service pilot program during the summers of 2024 and 2025, the program offers increased access during park redevelopment activities following the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire.
SACRAMENTO — As the unofficial start of summer kicks off, California State Parks invites Californians and visitors from around the world to enjoy Memorial Day weekend safely and responsibly. Whether you’re catching the waves at Crystal Cove State Park, riding the sandy hills at Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area or hiking under the giant sequoia groves at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, California’s 280 state parks offer a diverse array of activities for visitors eager to celebrate the holiday.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans and active duty and reserve military members by offering free admission to 145 participating state parks on Memorial Day – Monday, May 25. The full list of participating parks can be found at parks.ca.gov/MemorialDay2026.
SACRAMENTO — As the 2026 boating season begins, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is reminding Californians to prioritize safety on the water during National Safe Boating Week (May 15–22).
WEAVERVILLE — California State Parks and its partner, the Weaverville Joss House Association, invite the public to watch history come alive during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Day with a Lion Danceat Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park (SHP). This free event will take place Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BURNEY – To reduce the impacts of overcrowding and to create a significantly improved visitor experience, California State Parks will begin a pilot program requiring reservations to visit McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (Burney Falls) on Friday-Sunday and holidays during peak visitation season, starting Friday, May 15, through Sunday, Sept. 27. The goals of this new day-use reservation system, which will not be required Monday-Thursday, are to alleviate the strain on the park’s resources and infrastructure, and to improve visitor safety during the busiest summer days, when large crowds often overwhelm the park and the surrounding area. The public can make reservations starting today.
LANCASTER — Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Poppy Reserve) on Friday, April 24, marked the 50th anniversary of its dedication, celebrating five decades of protecting and preserving California’s native wildflowers – including the state’s official flower, the California poppy. In collaboration with the Poppy Reserve Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PRMDIA) and the California State Parks Foundation, California State Parks proudly commemorated the milestone with a special ceremony honoring the people, partnerships, and community efforts that helped establish and sustain the 1,800-acre reserve in the Antelope Buttes west of Lancaster.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is calling on public agencies with facilities serving both motorized and non-motorized recreational vessels to apply for inland Boat Launching Facility grants. Approximately $11.8 million in grants are available. Funding can be used to design, engineer, permit and construct new public recreational boat launching facilities or for improvements to existing facilities. Applications are due no later than noon, May 22, 2026.
