State Parks to offer park passes for Juneteenth, 250th anniversary

California is making the incredible sites that preserve the state's complex history free to visit through a special limited-time pass. In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state. Through Monday, July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and use it for unlimited visits to participating historic parks from Juneteenth until the end of the year. "California doesn't hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history – in fact, we embrace it and learn from it. While Trump ignores and tries to rewrite the past, California is marking these celebrations of freedom by inviting everyone to learn our country's history – our real history – for free in our state parks," said Governor Gavin Newsom. First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom added, "Building on our Outdoors for All initiative, we're creating even more opportunities for Californians to explore the natural beauty and rich history that define our state. As we celebrate Juneteenth and our nation's 250th anniversary, the free, special edition Historian Passport provides an incredible avenue for California families to immerse themselves in nature while gaining a deeper understanding of the remarkable place we're proud to call home." Coming on the heels of the fifth annual California State Parks Week, the limited-time free pass is the latest example of California expanding access to all Californians, giving more of them the opportunity to experience the unmatched natural and cultural resources of the nation's largest and most diverse state park system, which includes historic sites significant to many peoples and cultures, including Native Americans. State Parks is embracing the state's complex history through its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, working to tell the full story of how California came to be. Supported by donations from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, the special edition of the Historian Passport highlights California's rich and complex history through places that preserve stories of freedom, resilience, innovation, and community — including Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, the most significant state park representing Black history in California. Participating parks span the state and showcase California's diverse cultural, political, and social history, from Gold Rush-era communities and military landmarks to historic homes, missions and museums. "California's state historic parks preserve some of our nation's most powerful and meaningful stories, and I'm proud to live in a state that celebrates diversity to connect more people with those stories through this limited-time free pass," said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. "I hope the free Historian Passport introduces more Californians to the state's historic gems and sparks a curiosity, thirst for knowledge and sense of belonging that leads to many return visits. I thank Governor Newsom and the First Partner for their unwavering support of State Parks, and a special thanks to our partners, the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, for supporting the free Historian Passport." "Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of equality. For generations, Black Americans were excluded from public spaces and denied access to the opportunities and experiences that others enjoyed," said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Chair, California Legislative Black Caucus. "By widening access to California's historic state parks to more families, we help ensure that public lands are places where everyone can learn and benefit from." The free pass builds on Governor Newsom's State Parks Forward announcement on Earth Day, a bold effort to establish three new state parks — including a historic site near Bakersfield — and expand existing parks by more than 30,000 acres by the end of the decade. The announcement also follows Governor Newsom's directive in January that more than 200 state parks offer free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026. To visit the park sites, download your free special edition Historian Passport by July 6, and begin exploring California's history firsthand. An account with ReserveCalifornia.com, State Parks' official reservation service, is required to download.