California offers free passes to state parks honoring Juneteenth and America's 250 anniversary
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Earlimart, Calif.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California is celebrating Juneteenth and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary with a special pass allowing residents free access to more than 30 historic state parks.
The Historian Passport, normally a $50 value, will allow up to four people unlimited visits to participating historic parks, starting Friday on Juneteenth until the end of the year.
The free pass is available now to download and can be claimed through July 6.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced the offer, saying it represents a stark contrast to Donald Trump’s actions involving national parks and the country's past.
Last year, the Trump administration moved to take both Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr Day off the list of the National Park Service’s fee-free entrance days. In doing so, it added Flag Day, which is also Donald Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day eligible to residents only.
What they're saying:
"While President Donald Trump ends free admission to national parks on Juneteenth, uses entry fees to fund his latest vanity project, and attempts to whitewash the past, California is making the incredible sites that preserve the state’s complex history free to visit through a special limited-time pass," the governor’s office said.
California's vast state park system
Dig deeper:
California holds the title for the nation’s largest and most diverse state park system with more than 280 state parks, according to the California State Parks Foundation.
The park system is home to historic sites that represent many peoples and cultures, while highlighting the state’s complex and rich history, the governor’s office said.
SEE ALSO: What's open and closed on Juneteenth 2026
While the offer is for a limited time, state officials noted that State Parks offers free pass programs all year round as part of California’s Outdoors for All initiative. Programs include free access for families receiving public assistance, for fourth graders in California public schools and anyone with a library card.
The special edition California State Parks Historian Passport is being supported by donations from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation.
Participating parks
The governor’s office highlighted some of the parks that are available as part of the Historian Passport program.
They include:
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, in Tulare County, the site of a former California town that was founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. "The state historic park stands as a powerful symbol of self-determination, opportunity and freedom, making it especially meaningful during Juneteenth commemorations," the governor’s office said.
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Earlimart, Calif. (California State Parks )
In Amador County in the Sierra foothills, Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, is believed to be the site of the largest collection of bedrock mortars in North America. At the center of the 135-acre park, stands the state's largest ceremonial roundhouses still used by Native Americans.
California’s Gold Rush history can be traced to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, in Coloma, in El Dorodo County.
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, Calif. (California State Parks )
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park in Trinity County, is the site of the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. The park "reflects the enduring contributions, traditions and resilience of Chinese immigrants who helped build California despite widespread discrimination and exclusion," the governor’s office said.
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park in Weaverville, Calif. (California State Parks )
"California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history – in fact, we embrace it and learn from it," Newsom said in his news release, adding, "California is marking these celebrations of freedom by inviting everyone to learn our country’s history – our real history – for free in our state parks."
To download the special Historian Passport, an account with California State Parks’ official reservation service, ReserveCalifornia.com, is required.
Dancing at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Earlimart, Calif. (California State Parks )
Blacksmith exhibit at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Earlimart, Calif. (California State Parks )
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