CALIFORNIA

In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a special edition of the California State Parks Historian Passport, free to download through July 6. This Historian Passport can be used for free admission at more than 30 historic state parks throughout California for the rest of the calendar year.

The availability of the free pass, which typically costs $50, is made possible by California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. California State Parks Foundation sees this effort as one way to help ensure cost is not a barrier to connecting people with these important places. While park fees remain an important part of supporting the park system, programs like this create meaningful opportunities for more families and communities to access parks and experience them firsthand. 

From June 17 through July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and then use it for unlimited visits to participating state parks from Juneteenth (June 19) through Dec. 31, 2026. An account with reservecalifornia.com, California State Parks’ official reservation service, is required to download the pass. It can be used for admission of up to four people per pass.

California State Parks Foundation is a key proponent of ensuring all Californians can experience state parks.

The parks that accept the special edition Historian Passport highlight California’s diverse cultural, political, and social history, from Gold Rush-era communities to military landmarks, missions, and museums. A list of participating parks is available at parks.ca.gov/pages/1012/files/dpr335hp.pdf. To download the pass, visit reservecalifornia.com/passes/advancepasses. 

~ California State Parks Foundation press release