On Earth Day, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to open three state parks in the Central Valley region.
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The announcement marks one of the largest expansions in California’s park system in decades—and in one of its most remote areas. The addition of the parks will raise California’s total number of state parks to a whopping 283.
In addition to announcing three new openings (outlined below), the Governor also announced plans to expand current state park boundaries by 30,000 acres by the end of the decade. Expansion will take place using state-led acquisitions headed by State Parks Forward.
Here’s what we know about California’s latest additions to its roster of national and state parks, which already includes heavy-hitting destinations like Yosemite, Point Lobos, Torrey Pines, Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, and more.
A closer look at California’s soon-to-open state parks
© 2026, California State Parks – Photo by Brian Baer
Here’s what we know about the latest state parks to be added to California’s impressive roster. As mentioned above, all three are located in the state’s Central Valley.
Feather River Park, located in Olivehurst, will become the first state park in Yuba County. The park runs for close to 2,000 acres along the scenic Feather River, which includes boat launches and riverside beaches.
San Joaquin River Parkway, located in portions of Fresno and Madera Counties, is a nearly 875-acre stretch of public lands. The park will include part of the San Joaquin River, where a rec facility will be built.
Lastly, California will add a small two-acre park, Dust Bowl Camp, to its state parks list. This historic site is located in Bakersfield at the Sunset Migratory Labor Camp—a location that directly inspired John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The site is home to the state’s only remaining buildings that date back to the 1930s Dust Bowl era.
