Newsroom

California State Parks to Launch Pilot Program for Day-Use Reservations at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Starting May 15

BURNEY – To reduce the impacts of overcrowding and to create a significantly improved visitor experience, California State Parks will begin a pilot program requiring reservations to visit McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (Burney Falls) on Friday-Sunday and holidays during peak visitation season, starting Friday, May 15, through Sunday, Sept. 27. The goals of this new day-use reservation system, which will not be required Monday-Thursday, are to alleviate the strain on the park’s resources and infrastructure, and to improve visitor safety during the busiest summer days, when large crowds often overwhelm the park and the surrounding area. The public can make reservations starting today.

May 01, 2026 McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP Read the Full News Release

California State Parks Celebrates 50 Years of Protecting the Iconic Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

LANCASTER — Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (Poppy Reserve) on Friday, April 24, marked the 50th anniversary of its dedication, celebrating five decades of protecting and preserving California’s native wildflowers – including the state’s official flower, the California poppy. In collaboration with the Poppy Reserve Mojave Desert Interpretive Association (PRMDIA) and the California State Parks Foundation, California State Parks proudly commemorated the milestone with a special ceremony honoring the people, partnerships, and community efforts that helped establish and sustain the 1,800-acre reserve in the Antelope Buttes west of Lancaster.

May 01, 2026 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR Read the Full News Release

Division of Boating and Waterways Offers Grants to Improve Inland Recreational Boating Access

SACRAMENTO — California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is calling on public agencies with facilities serving both motorized and non-motorized recreational vessels to apply for inland Boat Launching Facility grants. Approximately $11.8 million in grants are available. Funding can be used to design, engineer, permit and construct new public recreational boat launching facilities or for improvements to existing facilities. Applications are due no later than noon, May 22, 2026.

April 30, 2026 Division of Boating and Waterways, Grants Read the Full News Release

California State Parks Recommends $42.6M in Grants for Land and Water Conservation Funds

SACRAMENTO — Exactly one week after unveiling its biggest expansion in decades, California State Parks today announced recommendations to the National Park Service (NPS) for $42.6 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants for 18 local park projects that will protect more than 2,800 acres meant for public outdoor recreation, further enhancing Outdoors for All.

April 29, 2026 Grants Read the Full News Release

Spring Weather Brings Hungry Bears to Tahoe Region

LAKE TAHOE – As snow melts across the Lake Tahoe region, black bears have emerged from their dens and are searching for food, signaling the start of a busy spring season for wildlife.

April 24, 2026 D. L. Bliss SP, Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point SP, Tahoe SRA, Washoe Meadows SP, Emerald Bay SP, Donner Memorial SP, Kings Beach SRA, Burton Creek SP, Grover Hot Springs SP, Lake Valley SRA, Ward Creek Prop Read the Full News Release

Governor Newsom Unveils Bold Vision for Biggest Expansion of State Parks in Decades, Adding Three New State Parks and Thousands of Acres to Existing Parks

FRESNO —Governor Gavin Newsom today announced State Parks Forward, setting California on a path to rapidly expand the nation’s largest and most diverse State Park System through a streamlined acquisition and planning process.

April 22, 2026 Read the Full News Release