La Grange, Calif.— California State Parks today announced the temporary full closure of Turlock Lake State Recreation Area (SRA), effective tomorrow, May 14 at 5 p.m. The closure will remain in effect as State Parks and the Turlock Irrigation District work through the process of securing a new operator for the park. The public is advised to adhere to all closure notices to maintain safety and lessen the burden on emergency services in the area.

Backcountry and rest of Big Basin Redwoods State Park Remains Closed

SACRAMENTO, Calif., — California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners are launching OHV Safety Awareness Week on May 15-23 with the theme of “Know Before You Go.” Simple actions such as learning the rules of riding, scouting routes, being prepared, filing a riding plan, using required equipment, never riding alone, treading lightly and knowing riding limits can help further promote safety in California’s vehicular recreation sites and help protect the natural resources that make these public outdoor spaces special.

Spring is here, and with it some very hungry bears.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California State Historical Resources Commission (Commission) will meet virtually this Friday, April 30, at 9 a.m. to consider seven nominations for federal historic designation and an update for a California Historical Landmark.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., – California State Parks and Hipcamp (www.hipcamp.com) today announced a partnership to provide real-time information about camping availability directly on the Hipcamp platform. Together, they are laying the foundation to further advocate for open data standards in public campsite reservation systems with future integrations to come nationwide.

The Division of Boating and Waterways and California Coastal Commission invite recreational boaters to celebrate Earth Day this year all month long. Protecting the environment is easy, even while enjoying California’s waterways on a boat.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks today announced a new series of virtual programs to help prevent drownings when recreating in California’s waterways. The first AquaSMART Live! Lifeguard Program, set for this Thursday, April 1 at 2 p.m. on the department’s Facebook page, will focus on river safety. Participants will be able to travel virtually to Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA), Folsom Lake SRA, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and South Yuba River State Park.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers and lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system.
For more than 150 years, rangers and lifeguards have worked closely with the state's network of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to protect visitors to California's State Park System and surrounding communities. The rangers and lifeguards provide not only public safety law enforcement and aquatic rescue services, but they also provide public education through interpretation and protect natural and cultural resources. Their offices are located in or near beaches, deserts, lakes, historic landmarks and state vehicular recreation areas. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks invites the public to virtually commemorate the contributions of prominent civil rights, union and farm labor leader César Chávez made at Borrego Springs (San Diego County) in 1966. In partnership with Borrego Springs High School students, State Parks will be unveiling four interpretive bilingual panels at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® that will display how César Chávez supported local farm workers who wanted the National Farm Workers Association as their union. The ceremony will be hosted on the Facebook pages of State Parks and Anza-Borrego Desert SP from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31.