Displaying 1 - 20 of 407 Press Releases
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.
SACRAMENTO — Exactly one week after unveiling its biggest expansion in decades, California State Parks today announced recommendations to the National Park Service (NPS) for $42.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants for 18 local park projects that will protect more than 2,800 acres meant for public outdoor recreation, further enhancing Outdoors for All.
LAKE TAHOE – As snow melts across the Lake Tahoe region, black bears have emerged from their dens and are searching for food, signaling the start of a busy spring season for wildlife.
FRESNO —Governor Gavin Newsom today announced State Parks Forward, setting California on a path to rapidly expand the nation’s largest and most diverse State Park System through a streamlined acquisition and planning process.
TEHACHAPI — California State Park invites the public to explore a unique historic Native American site with the return of weekly guided tours at Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park (SHP) this spring. For a limited time, starting Saturday, April 18, guests can visit the historic park, view ancient rock art and immerse themselves in the history, sacred lore and living culture of the Kawaiisu people.
SACRAMENTO — A new economic analysis of large-scale ecological restoration projects in state parks on California’s North Coast shows that investments in public lands do more than restore ecosystems — each year they create hundreds of good-paying, accessible jobs, open new career opportunities and produce tens of millions of dollars in economic benefits throughout the region.
SACRAMENTO — As California continues to celebrate 175 years of statehood, join California State Parks and partners in celebrating the unparalleled diversity and beauty of the nation’s largest state park system with more than 170 events during the fifth annual California State Parks Week, June 10-14.
SACRAMENTO — Mientras California continúa celebrando sus 175 años como estado, festeja con al Departamento de Parques Estatales de California y a sus socios la incomparable diversidad y belleza del sistema de parques estatales más grande de la nación, con más de 170 eventos durante la quinta Semana de los Parques Estatales de California, del 10 al 14 de junio.
PARADISE — California State Parks celebrated the graduation of 36 cadets on Friday, April 10. These new State Park Peace Officers (rangers and lifeguards) are ready to “Live the Parks Life” in the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system.
