CA Parks: Free Memorial Day Admission For All Veterans, Military

CALIFORNIA — The California State Parks system is honoring the service of U.S. military veterans and active and reserve members of the U.S. military this Memorial Day offering them free admission Monday to participating parks across the Golden State.

"Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. "In their honor, State Parks is offering military individuals complimentary admission to some of the most amazing places within California's State Park System."

There are 280 California State Park units, and of those, 134 are open and offering free admission this Memorial Day, including state vehicular recreation areas. (See below for a full list of participating parks.)

To receive free admission, veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel just need to show a valid military ID or proof of honorable discharge.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, California State Parks anticipates large crowds this Memorial Day — one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Since January when the state first lifted its stay-home order, State Parks has reopened the majority of its campgrounds although a few sites, including group campsites, remain closed to the public because of the pandemic, wildfire impacts or other issues. Day-use outdoor areas have remained open and State Parks has reopened some indoor facilities such as visitor centers and museums at limited capacity

Here are the current COVID-19-related guidelines when visiting state parks.

Know Before You Go: Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a backup plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick.

Plan Ahead: Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.

Play It Safe: Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System.

Keep Your Distance: Avoid crowds. If there are too many people at a park or beach, please visit us on a different day.

Wear a Mask: California State Parks continues to follow the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health.

• Everyone: In indoor settings, such as museums and visitor centers, face coverings are required regardless of vaccination status.
• Fully Vaccinated Persons: Face coverings are not required outdoors except when attending crowded outdoor events.
• Unvaccinated Persons: Face coverings are required outdoors any time physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Leave No Trace: Leave areas as you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

Here's the full list of California state parks offering free admission for veterans, active and reserve military members Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021:

1. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park (SHP)
2. Andrew Molera State Park (SP)
3. Angel Island SP
4. Annadel SP
5. Año Nuevo SP
6. Antelope Valley CA Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (SNR)
7. Anza-Borrego Desert SP
8. Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA)
9. Benbow Lake State SRA
10. Benicia SRA
11. Bethany Reservoir SRA
12. Bidwell-Sacramento River SP
13. Bolsa Chica State Beach (SB)
14. Bothe-Napa Valley SP
15. Brannan Island SRA
16. Calaveras Big Trees SP
17. California Citrus SHP
18. California State Railroad Museum
19. Cardiff SB
20. Carlsbad SB
21. Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)
22. Carpinteria SB
23. Castle Crags SP
24. Castle Rock SP
25. Caswell Memorial SP
26. China Camp SP
27. Chino Hills SP
28. Clay Pit SVRA
29. Clear Lake SP
30. Colonel Allensworth SHP
31. Colusa-Sacramento River SRA
32. Crystal Cove SP
33. Cuyamaca Rancho SP
34. Doheny SB
35. Donner Memorial SP
36. Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch SVRA
37. Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point SP
38. El Capitan SB
39. Emerald Bay SP
40. Emma Wood SB
41. Folsom Lake SRA
42. Folsom Powerhouse SHP
43. Fort Ross SHP
44. Fort Tejon SHP
45. Fremont Peak SP
46. Gaviota SP
47. George J. Hatfield SRA
48. Grover Hot Springs SP
49. Half Moon Bay SB
50. Hendy Woods SP
51. Henry Cowell Redwoods SP
52. Henry W. Coe SP
53. Hollister Hills SVRA
54. Humboldt Redwoods SP
55. Hungry Valley SVRA
56. Huntington SB
57. Indian Grinding Rock SHP
58. Jack London SHP
59. Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP
60. Kenneth Hahn (Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook only)
61. Kings Beach SRA
62. La Purisima Mission SHP
63. Lake Oroville SRA
64. Lake Perris SRA
65. Leo Carrillo SP
66. Los Angeles SHP
67. Malakoff Diggins SHP
68. Malibu Creek SP
69. Malibu Lagoon SB
70. Manresa SB
71. Marshall Gold Discovery SHP
72. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP
73. McConnell SRA
74. McGrath SB
75. Millerton Lake SRA
76. Mono Lake Tufa SNR
77. Morro Bay SP
78. Mount Diablo SP
79. Mount San Jacinto SP
80. Mount Tamalpais SP
81. Natural Bridges SB
82. New Brighton SB
83. Oceano Dunes SVRA
84. Olompali SHP
85. Pacheco SP
86. Palomar Mountain SP
87. Patrick’s Point SP
88. Pescadero SB
89. Pfeiffer Big Sur SP
90. Picacho SRA
91. Pismo SB
92. Point Lobos SNR
93. Point Mugu SP
94. Pomponio SB
95. Portola Redwoods SP
96. Prairie City SVRA
97. Prairie Creek Redwoods SP
98. Providence Mountains SRA
99. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
100. Red Rock Canyon SP
101. Refugio SB
102. Richardson Grove SP
103. Robert H. Meyer Memorial SB
104. Russian Gulch SP
105. Saddleback Butte SP
106. Salt Point SP
107. Salton Sea SRA
108. Samuel P. Taylor SP
109. San Buenaventura SB
110. San Clemente SB
111. San Elijo SB
112. San Gregorio SB
113. San Luis Reservoir SRA
114. San Onofre SB
115. Seacliff SB
116. Silver Strand SB
117. Silverwood Lake SRA
118. Sinkyone Wilderness SP
119. South Carlsbad SB
120. South Yuba River SP
121. Standish Hickey SRA
122. Sugarloaf Ridge SP
123. Sunset SB
124. The Forest of Nisene Marks SP
125. Tomales Bay SP
126. Topanga SP
127. Torrey Pines SB
128. Torrey Pines SNR
129. Tule Elk SNR
130. Turlock Lake SRA
131. Van Damme SP
132. Wilder Ranch SP
133. Will Rogers SHP
134. William B. Ide Adobe SHP

Check the status of California State Parks near you.