California Parks to Waive Fees for Veterans
California State Parks will offer free day-use access to veterans and active-duty service members at 145 park units on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in National Parks
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California State Parks will open 145 park units at no charge to veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists on Veterans Day. Eligibility requires a valid military ID or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct.
Why it matters
The waiver gives service members and their families a no-cost way to visit state parks across California, from coastal beaches to mountain and desert preserves. The program builds on Assembly Bill 150, which gave State Parks authority to offer free or reduced day use to veterans and National Guard members.
Free access covers 145 California State Parks units for veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists on November 11, 2026. The day-use vehicle fee is waived at entrance stations, and family members riding in the same vehicle also receive the benefit.
The players
California State Parks
California State Parks is the state agency that manages the state park system, including its parks, beaches, and historic sites.
Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown served as Governor of California and signed Assembly Bill 150 in 2013, which authorized the state to offer veteran day-use access.
The details
Participating parks include McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Mount Tamalpais, the California State Railroad Museum, Anza-Borrego, and Pismo State Beach. Visitors show a valid military ID or proof of discharge at the entrance station, and the full list of participating parks is posted at parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2026.
Timeline
2013: Governor Jerry Brown signs Assembly Bill 150, authorizing veteran day-use access.
November 11, 2026: Free day-use access takes effect at 145 California State Parks units.
Travel Outlook
The Veterans Day waiver extends the authority California gained under Assembly Bill 150, signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013. It places veteran access within the state's broader system of day-use fee policies for its parks.
Veterans and service members should bring a valid military ID or proof of discharge to the entrance station to skip the vehicle day-use fee. Families riding in the same vehicle are covered, so plan trips around the November 11 date and check the participating park list before traveling.
The takeaway
Veterans and active-duty service members can visit 145 California State Parks free on November 11, 2026, with a valid military ID or proof of discharge. Confirming the participating park list in advance helps travelers plan the right trip.
What happens next
Veterans can plan visits to participating parks for November 11, 2026, after confirming the full park list at parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2026.
Further reading
For more on California's state park system and seasonal access, see National Parks in the California travel guide.
More information
Check the full list of participating California State Parks before planning a Veterans Day visit.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Active NorCal.
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Should state parks offer free day-use access to everyone, not just veterans?
