Governor Gavin Newsom Opens California State Parks for Free Entry on MLK Day, Defying Trump Policy

Defying the Trump administration’s decision to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day from the list of free national park admission days, Governor Gavin Newsom announced free entry at California state parks on the holiday. 

Newsom directed California State Parks to allow free vehicle day-use at more than 200 parks statewide, which he announced on January 16, 2026.

President Trump removed MLK Day from the national parks’ free entry calendar and replaced it with his own birthday “and is plastering his face on the National Park Service annual pass,” according to a statement from Newsom.

Donald Trump scrapped free entry to National Parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and replaced it with his own birthday.

California will not be following that path.

I’ve directed @CAStateParks to offer free entry at more than 200 participating parks on MLK Day. pic.twitter.com/jJTKyObjcG

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 16, 2026

In December 2025, the National Park Service released an updated list of free admission days for national parks, which excluded MLK Day and Juneteenth but added President Trump’s birthday on June 14.

The decision drew sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who claimed that the change reflected President Trump’s attempts to downplay the nation’s civil rights history and the civil rights victories of Black Americans while promoting the president’s image and name. 

MLK Day is observed every year on the third Monday of January, close to the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on January 15, 1929. Meanwhile, celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth is a federal holiday and commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in the U.S. on June 19, 1865. 

Governor Newsom went on to say that the Trump administration’s actions try to erase King’s legacy and risk turning national parks into “places of exclusion and fear,” adding that King’s legacy “deserves to be honored, not erased.”

“I’m encouraging all Californians to get outside on MLK Day, spend time in nature, reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing civil rights for all,” Newsom said in the statement. 

We’re inviting you to celebrate #MLKDay with us, the largest state park system in the nation! Over 200+ state parks will be offering free vehicle day-use entry on Monday, Jan. 19! Find a participating park at https://t.co/yS60L7v0Jm pic.twitter.com/w4BtMdHAki

— CA State Parks (@CAStateParks) January 17, 2026

Free entry to California state parks is valid for one passenger vehicle with up to nine passengers or one highway-licensed motorcycle, according to California State Parks. Some parks, including state vehicular recreation areas, those with per-person entry or tour fees, and those that are operated by partner organizations, are not included in the free parks list. 

California’s decision to allow free entry to state parks comes ahead of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, the statement said.  

While park visitors to California State Parks will not be asked any invasive questions, international tourists and visitors will be required to pay a standard entry fee, the statement added.

In contrast, the Trump administration is asking for citizenship status for park fees, and burdening foreign tourists with $100 in additional fees per day, according to the statement. Annual Entry passes also feature President Trump’s face. 

The free vehicle entry to the state’s parks is being facilitated by the “generosity of the California State Parks Foundation – not taxpayer dollars,” the governor added.