More than 200 California state parks are free for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

 California State Parks offers free vehicle day-use entry on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19, 2026) at more than 200 participating state parks. Free entry, valid for one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less, or for one highway-licensed motorcycle, is available at select parks. 

Some parks, including state vehicular recreation areas (off-highway vehicle parks), those with per-person entry or tour fees like Hearst Castle, and those that are operated by partner organizations, will still require a fee.

A list of participating and non-participating parks can be found on the California Parks site.

Free vehicle entry on MLK Day is being made possible by the California State Parks Foundation, a key proponent of the free California State Library Parks Pass. The parks participating on MLK Day are the same parks that accept the library pass all year!