Newsom announces free MLK Day park entry after Trump drops holiday

A month after President Donald Trump banned free admission to nationwide parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Governor Gavin Newsom is responding by opening greater than 200 California state parks without cost in honor of Dr. King, whereas calling out Trump’s motion.

Final month, the Trump administration reshaped the query of when Individuals can enter nationwide parks without cost, leaving Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth and Nationwide Public Lands Day have been faraway from the 2026 calendar.

As a substitute, the administration added a collection of dates with a historic or presidential theme. Flag Day — which additionally occurs to be Trump’s birthday — can be a free day for the primary time, together with Structure Day, the a hundred and tenth anniversary of the Nationwide Park Service and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.

Newsom introduced Friday that upfront of the one centesimal anniversary of Black Historical past Month, he’s directing California State Parks to supply free admission to greater than 200 taking part parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Day, Monday January 19, 2026.

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Governor Gavin Newsom has introduced that greater than 200 state parks in California can be open without cost on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK ​​Day). (Amy Sussman/Getty Pictures)

“As Trump works to erase Dr. King’s legacy, California will honor it,” Newsom stated in a information launch. “Dr. King taught us that ‘darkness can’t drive out darkness; solely mild can do this.’ Because the Trump administration seeks to erase his legacy and switch nationwide parks and monuments into locations of exclusion and worry, California is responding with mild.”

“That is why I am saying free admission to California State Parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 – as a result of Dr. King’s legacy deserves to be honored, not erased,” Newsom continued. “I encourage all Californians to get outdoors on MLK Day, spend time in nature, replicate on Dr. King’s legacy and reaffirm our dedication to advancing civil rights for all.”

Free admission solely applies to day-use automobile charges and is out there at greater than 200 taking part California state parks statewide, based on the governor’s workplace.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaims free admission to greater than 200 state parks, together with Lake Oroville, on MLK Day 2026, pushing again after the Trump administration eliminated the vacation from the nationwide parks’ free days. (Aude Guerrucci/Reuters)

Free automobile entry is made potential by the California State Parks Basis reasonably than tax {dollars}. The inspiration’s funding is meant to maintain state parks working whereas planting seeds for a lifelong connection to the state’s “pure and cultural treasures,” Newsom’s workplace stated.

Democratic leaders framed the transfer as a direct rebuke of the Trump administration’s actions.

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In response to the Trump administration eradicating MLK Day from nationwide park days off, California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced free admission to greater than 200 state parks on MLK Day 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Picture)

“Whereas the federal authorities is eliminating free park days for holidays celebrating Black historical past, California continues to bask within the glory of our civil rights pioneers,” stated Senator Akilah Weber Pierson. “Opening our parks for all to get pleasure from encourages family members to come back collectively, give again and honor Dr. King’s legacy whereas having fun with the Golden State’s pure magnificence.”

Among the parks that supply free admission embody Huge Basin Redwoods, Half Moon Bay, Sugarloaf Ridge, Doheny, Wildwood Canyon Park Property, Folsom Lake, Bidwell Mansion, and Lake Oroville.

Some parks nonetheless require a charge, together with off-road automobile recreation areas, parks with per individual or tour charges resembling Hearst Citadel, and websites managed by associate organizations.

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A full listing of taking part parks is out there at parks.ca.gov/MLKDay2026.