NEWS CLIPS

 The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

News Stories of Interest 

California Department of Parks and Recreation 

Week of July7, 2025

The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Railtown 1897: Famous Sierra No. 3 Steam Locomotive returns: California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation encourage the community and rail enthusiasts from near and far to visit Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown on Saturday, July 12, for a welcome back ceremony to celebrate the return of Sierra No. 3. 
Manteca/ Ripon Bulletin, Jul 11, 2025 

State officials say federal cuts threaten California’s environment: Other state leaders, including Armando Quintero, director of California State Parks, shared similar fears. He said the National Park Service is facing a potential $1-billion budget cut and has lost 24% of permanent staff since January. 
Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, July 11, 2025 

State Parks opens Big Basin rebuild plan to public in webinar: Five years on from the CZU fire gutting Big Basin, the picture of its recovery is starting to come into view. 
Ata Shaheen, KION-TV, July 10, 2025 

Do we have a full moon tonight? Here's when the July full moon starts to rise in California: The first full moon of summer, the Buck moon, is on Thursday, July 10, treating us to a beautiful nighttime sight — and bringing change to some signs in astrology. 
Paris Barraza, Palm Springs Desert Sun, July 10, 2025 

San Diego library cards offer free access to state parks, local attractions: A library card can get you much more than books these days. In San Diego County, that small piece of plastic can bring more time outdoors and help you save money with free access to state parks and local attractions. 
Perla Shaheen, KGTV, July 10, 2025 

‘Misinformation and misrepresentations’: Palisades Fire victims lob new claims against L.A., state agencies: Victims of the Palisades Fire revealed new allegations Wednesday against Los Angeles city agencies and the California Department of Parks and Recreation that a catastrophic chain of mistakes allowed a small New Year’s fire to rekindle on Jan. 7, then left firefighters battling an inferno without sufficient water as power lines sparked new blazes. 
Julie Johnson and Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, July 9, 2025 

Mother Bear Euthanized After Attacking CA Campers: A female black bear in Northern California was euthanized by a CA State Parks ranger this week after attacking and harassing people at a campground, as USA Today reported. The incidents occurred in late June in Emerald Bay State Park. 
JL Trey Odom, Patch, Jul 9, 2025 

Silverwood Lake Closed Indefinitely Due to Highway 138 Closure, Fire Damage: Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) has been closed indefinitely after suffering damage from the recent Lake Fire and the continued closure of Highway 138, according to a written statement from California State Parks. 
Victor Valley News Group, July 9, 2025 

Funding cuts could make California weather forecasts less accurate: Storm and surf forecasts in California will become less accurate this year when federal funding for a network of ocean buoys disappears in September. 
Jack Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, July 9, 2025 

Sacramento to rebuild faulty Del Rio Trail Bridge: The city says construction is scheduled to begin this month and is expected to wrap by the end of the year. The city adds it will coordinate the project timeline with Caltrans and California State Parks. 
KXTV (ABC10), July 9, 2025 

El Dorado Search and Rescue, California State Parks respond to multiple calls: EDSO SAR was dispatched, and California State Parks offered up their lifeguards to assist in this recovery. Working cooperatively and together, State Park Lifeguards swam across to the island and provided a safe passage back to the main shore. 
Tahoe Daily Tribune, July 9, 2025 

These Yosemite Alternatives Are Just as Beautiful — and Much Less Crowded: Bodie State Historic Park is a hidden gem of the Eastern Sierra, where nearly 200 buildings of a historic gold and silver mining town — now a ghost town — still stand, including a stamp mill. 
Sarah Wright, KQED, July 9, 2025 

 

Human remains found in Northern California river amid 6-week search for NY woman: California Highway Patrol, Nevada County Consolidated Fire District and California State Parks personnel all aided in the recovery of the remains, which involved a helicopter, the release said.  
Sean Campbell, The Sacramento Bee, July 8, 2025 

State Parks begins debris cleanup at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park: California State Parks will begin the restoration and cleanup process at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park later this week. State Parks says the cleaning process will take roughly three weeks and will include removing all fire damaged debris around the perimeter of the main brick structure. 
Keith Jouganatos, KRCR-TV, July 8, 2025 

At Big Basin, new campgrounds, trails and a visitors center rise from the ashes of the CZU fire: California State Parks has released more detailed plans for the future of Big Basin Redwoods State Park as it continues to recover post-fire. The plans include new trails, the return of camping, education and ecology centers, and collaborations with local Indigenous groups. 
Max Chun, Lookout Santa Cruz, July 8, 2025 

Do I have to wear a life jacket under CA law? Follow these water safety tips: According to California State Parks, picking a life jacket that fits properly is “extremely important.” “Jackets that are too big will cause the flotation device to push up around your face, which could be dangerous,” the state agency said. 
Sarah Linn and Laura Diaz, The Fresno Bee, July 8, 2025 

More than 650 volunteers show commitment to Lake Tahoe at Keep Tahoe Blue’s July 5th cleanup: Volunteers were greeted by blue skies and clean beaches this morning as they arrived to participate in Keep Tahoe Blue’s July 5th “Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue” Cleanup at sites ringing Lake Tahoe. 
Tahoe Daily Tribune, July 8, 2025 

Over 1,000 pounds of trash found at Lake Tahoe after Fourth of July weekend: Over 650 volunteers who gathered at the lake Saturday as part of Keep Tahoe Blue’s 12th annual holiday cleanup event picked up approximately 1,375 pounds of trash.  
Amanda Bartlett, SFGATE, July 7, 2025 

California moves closer to ‘30x30’ conservation goals as threats to public lands loom: California officials have moved closer to their goal of conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by the target year of 2030, a revelation that arrives as the Trump administration advances directives that could claw back areas that were set aside. 
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2025 

‘Gorgeous’ SLO County spot among top 10 places to camp on West Coast. Which one?: A seaside state park in San Luis Obispo County is one of the top places on the West Coast to experience scenic sights and sleep under the stars, according to The Dyrt. The popular camping app recently released its 2025 list of the Best Places to Camp in the Pacific Region — and Morro Bay State Park took the No. 10 spot.  
Hannah Poukish, San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 5, 2025 

California's Most Underrated State Park Is Better Than Yosemite National Park: One superb, lesser-known California outdoor destination that's well worth a visit is the one-of-a-kind Red Rock Canyon State Park. California's state park system, one of the largest in the country, has long served as a top rival to the state's nine national parks.  
Stephen Hanson, The Travel, July 5, 2025 

Route to Parks grant period open to community and Tribal organizations: California State Parks and Parks California have announced the opening of the 2026 Route to Parks grant application period, inviting California-based community and tribal organizations to apply for funding that helps remove transportation and access barriers to California’s 280 state parks.  
Mountain Democrat, July 4, 2025 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Fire Recovery Plan: California State Parks has released the draft Facilities Management Plan for Big Basin Redwoods State Park, nearly five years after the devastating 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed most of its infrastructure. 
Times Publishing Group, July 4, 2025 

California State Library Parks Pass secures funding through 2026: The California State Library Parks Pass has reinstated and secured its funding in the final California State budget through Dec. 31, 2026. 
Sedona Harris, KSBY-TV, July 4, 2025 

California State Parks team saves two people during surf rescue in Oceano: San Luis Obispo County and California state agencies collaborated on Thursday to save two people in Oceano who were caught in the water. 
Chloe Decas, KSBY-TV, Jul 03, 2025 

  • MORE COVERAGE: KEYT 

First new state park campground in decade in California gets underway: Some might argue that “comfortable campgrounds” may not be as plentiful as some would hope. The state hopes to change that with a new campground at Ford Ord Dunes State Park. 
Russ and Tiña De Maris, RV Travel, July 3, 2025