Over 200 of California’s state parks are open totally free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Searching for one to go to? Begin with these 5.
(Picture: Praveen P.N by way of Getty Pictures)
Up to date January 16, 2026 10:08PM
California’s hikers can now discover state parks totally free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Governor Gavin Newsom simply introduced free automobile day-use entry for over 200 state parks, with the caveat that these with per-person entry or tour charges, reminiscent of Hearst Fort, will nonetheless require fee. In a press launch from Governor Newsom, the free park entries on MLK day come from “the generosity of the California State Parks Basis—not taxpayer {dollars}.”
The announcement comes simply weeks after the Nationwide Park Service introduced in November that it had canceled free entry to nationwide parks on MLK Day and Juneteenth—as an alternative holding fee-free days on Independence Day weekend and Flag Day, which can also be President Donald Trump’s birthday. Within the press launch, Newsom framed California’s transfer as a response to the federal authorities’s cuts, saying that the administration had “whitewashed civil rights historical past.”
So, the place ought to Californians go on Monday? Desert reigns this time of 12 months. However fortunately, after a interval of heavy rain across the vacation, sections of the state which can be usually sepia-brown are actually lush and verdant. I’m a lifelong Californian, and listed below are my picks for state parks (and a few corresponding hikes) this time of 12 months. You’ll find the complete checklist of taking part fee-free parks right here.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Spend the night trying up on the stars in California’s largest state park, which can also be an Worldwide Darkish Sky Park. Throughout the day, hold your eyes peeled for the park’s bighorn sheep inhabitants. (“Borrego” in Spanish means “lamb,” referring to the bighorn sheep that decision the world residence.) The realm, simply east of San Diego, has a historical past of human habitation courting again greater than 10,000 years. Longing for a wintertime in a single day? We named this state park as among the finest within the nation for backpackers.
Hike it: Borrego Palm Canyon Loop
Alongside this widespread dayhike, you’ll doubtless encounter bighorn sheep, large groves of California fan palms, and, this time of 12 months, loads of desert wildflowers. Control the climate; this canyon is susceptible with regards to flash floods. On the time of publication, nonetheless, path situations MLK climate are predicted to be dry and hikeable.
Montaña de Oro State Park
Though not fairly as giant as Anza Borrego, Montaña de Oro (interprets to “Mountain of Gold” due to its beds of California poppies) is one among California’s greatest state parks, and but it receives a fraction of the visitation because the state’s flashier nationwide parks. A win-win for hikers desirous to discover California’s central coast in peace.
Hike it: Valencia Peak Path
Get 360-degree views of the Pacific and the encircling mountains from Valencia Peak, which is among the tallest locations within the state park. Maintain a watch out within the first quarter-mile or so on the hike: Hikers have reported poison oak early on the path.
Crimson Rock Canyon State Park
Crimson rocks aren’t solely in Utah and Arizona; we have now them in California too. On the intersection of the Sierra Nevada’s southern tip and the El Paso Vary, this park is residence to rock formations that belong on Mars. Though it’s a tad early for wildflowers, Crimson Rock Canyon continues to be a feast for the eyes, with loads of desert cliffs and buttes. There are additionally historic petroglyphs from the Kawaiisu folks.
Hike it: Nightmare Gulch Loop Path
Beginning a half-mile from the park’s entrance, the Nightmare Gulch Loop Path is a scenic tour of the state park’s purple rocks by way of a dry wash. All through the dayhike loop, you earn panoramic views of the gulch and the Sierra, descend into the canyon, and discover slot canyons alongside the trail.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
This state park, which is about twice the scale of San Francisco, was voted the perfect within the nation on Tripadvisor in 2024 and 2025. See what the fuss is about among the many largest expanse of historic redwoods left on the planet; about one-third of the park’s measurement is simply redwood forest. Winter’s the perfect time to go to as a result of seasonal rain provides the forest a refreshing lushness in comparison with the dry summer time months. Possibly probably the most well-known attraction right here, although, is Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile scenic freeway by way of the forest.
Hike it: Williams Grove Path
Cease to stretch your legs alongside the Avenue of the Giants on this steep 5-mile out and again. The path will get its identify from its eponymous grove of redwoods—maybe a greater namesake than the close by Eel River. On the path, hold a watch out for stretches of poison oak near the 101.
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Level State Park
Named after a former member of the California State Meeting who prioritized environmental laws, this state park shouldn’t be solely the most important in Lake Tahoe, it’s additionally the one within the space the place you may camp in the course of the winter. Wish to get in some cross-country snowboarding? Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Level was the place the Olympics held the occasion within the winter of 1960. Right this moment, the park offers groomed cross-country ski trails for day use.
Hike it: Sugar Pine Level State Park Nature Path
Tenting in Sugar Pine Level Campground and wish to hike among the many latest snow? Or, simply making a day journey and need a peaceable, snowy hike alongside a creek? This nature path will fulfill. Word: Bears are frequent on this space. Observe all bear security protocols, even in winter.
