California Offers Free Park Admission on MLK Day, Defying Trump

UPDATE: California is taking a bold stand against President Donald Trump by offering free admission to over 200 state parks this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2024. This move comes after Trump eliminated free admission to national parks on the holiday, igniting a firestorm of controversy.

During a press conference in San Francisco on Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that private funding from the California State Parks Foundation would cover the costs of free vehicle entry to participating parks. “While Trump works to erase Dr. King’s legacy, California will honor it,” Newsom stated.

On Monday, vehicles with up to nine passengers can access these parks at no charge. A complete list of participating parks is available on the California State Parks website. However, some parks may still impose fees, particularly those with special areas or guided tours, such as Hearst Castle.

This isn’t the first time Trump’s administration has targeted federal holidays. Earlier, free admission for Juneteenth was also cut, with Trump’s birthday, June 14, being added to the list of free entry days in 2026. Newsom criticized this shift, saying, “MLK Day has now been shifted to Trump Day. Again, what more evidence do we need on what the hell is going on in the United States of America?”

The NAACP has condemned the removal of free admission days for MLK Day and Juneteenth, arguing that it undermines Black resilience and erases vital aspects of Black history. The controversy further escalated with reports of new park passes featuring Trump’s likeness, prompting an environmental nonprofit to file a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior for this perceived misuse.

As California asserts its values, many are eager to see how this bold move on MLK Day will resonate with the public and potentially influence national conversations around access to national parks and the commemoration of significant historical figures.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and its implications for national policy and community engagement.