California State Parks Invites Military Community to Enjoy Free Admission to Over a Hundred Parks on Veterans Day
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Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
What you need to know: More than 140 California state parks will be offering free admissions to U.S. service members and their families on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
SACRAMENTO – This Veterans Day, Nov. 11, California State Parks invites U.S. service members and their families to enjoy free admission to 142 state parks throughout California in gratitude for their service to our nation.
“California State Parks is proud to provide free access to veterans who have stood watch and protected our country,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We invite you to find rest, healing and connection within California’s most beautiful and cherished natural treasures.”
As the federal government shutdown drags on and impacts access and services at national parks, California’s State Park System – the largest in the nation – continues to operate as usual and is ready to welcome U.S. service members and their families. A variety of parks throughout California will be participating, including state historic parks (SHP) such as Sutter’s Fort SHP and Colonel Allensworth SHP, state beaches (SB) such as Carlsbad SB and Half Moon Bay SB, state vehicular recreation areas (SVRA) such as Hungry Valley SVRA and Carnegie SVRA, and state natural reserves (SNR) such as Tule Elk SNR and Armstrong Redwoods SNR.
A full list of the participating parks can be found at parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2025. To enter for free, veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct to receive the free admission.
Parks that specifically honor historic military sites or veterans that will be open for free admission on Veterans Day include:
- Angel Island State Park
- William B. Ide Adobe SHP
- Sutter’s Fort SHP
- Fort Tejon SHP
- Colonel Allensworth SHP
Signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2013, Assembly Bill 150 (Olsen), authorized California State Parks to offer veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the National Guard of any state a reduced fee or free day use at participating state parks.
Visitors are asked to recreate responsibly, plan ahead and visit the web or social media pages of their destination to confirm hours of operation and view visitor guidelines in effect. Please remember to safely share the road and be prepared for equestrians, pedestrians, joggers, wildlife, etc., on roadways. For more safety tips, please visit parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
A variety of parks will offer free access, including (clockwise from top) Colonel Allensworth SHP, Tule Elk SNR, Half Moon Bay SB, and Carnegie SVRA. Photos from California State Parks.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.