Newsom Waives Fees at 200+ California Parks on MLK Day to Counter Trump Free‑Entry Shift
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered more than 200 California state parks to waive vehicle day‑use fees on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, 2026, directly rebuking the Trump administration’s decision to drop MLK Day, Juneteenth and National Public Lands Day from the 2026 list of fee‑free national park days. The new federal calendar instead adds dates such as Flag Day—which coincides with Trump’s birthday—Constitution Day, the National Park Service’s 110th anniversary and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. Newsom accused Trump of trying to "erase Dr. King’s legacy" and said California would "answer with light" by opening state parks, with the California State Parks Foundation—rather than taxpayers—covering the cost of free entry. Democratic allies framed the move as a way to keep access to public lands tied to civil‑rights history, especially as the country approaches the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. The announcement folds into a broader clash between blue states and Washington over how public institutions mark Black history and who gets affordable access to parks and monuments.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Gavin Newsom directed California State Parks to offer free vehicle day‑use admission at more than 200 participating state parks on MLK Day 2026, Jan. 19.
- The Trump administration’s revised 2026 national-park fee‑free calendar removed MLK Day, Juneteenth and National Public Lands Day, adding Flag Day/Trump’s birthday, Constitution Day, the National Park Service’s 110th anniversary and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.
- Free entry at California parks will be funded by the California State Parks Foundation, not directly by state tax dollars.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2021, White visitors made up 77% of national park visitors, while comprising about 60% of the U.S. population; Black visitors accounted for only 1-4% despite being 13-14% of the population, and Hispanic visitors 3.8-6.7% despite being 19% of the population.
Who visits U.S. national parks (and who doesn't)? A national study of perceived constraints and vacation preferences across populations and destinations — Journal of Leisure Research
Historical factors contributing to low Black visitation to national parks include segregation under Jim Crow laws until the 1940s, which made many parks off-limits or segregated, and ongoing barriers such as cost, distance, and lack of representation.
Ensuring Parks Are For All People — University of Utah Health Sciences
In California state parks, similar racial disparities exist, with about 74% of visitors being White, while non-White groups, including Latinos (who are 39% of California's population), are underrepresented in visitation.
State Parks Are Trying to Attract More Diverse Visitors — Stateline.org
Fee-free days at national parks tend to attract lower-income visitors, as evidenced by cars entering on free days being worth on average $1,274 less than on regular days, potentially increasing access for economically disadvantaged groups.
An Analysis of Visitor Responsiveness to National Park Entrance Fees — National Park Service
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