San Francisco, CA — California State Parks Foundation today celebrated the expansion of three existing state parks and the addition of three new state park properties. This is the biggest expansion of the California state park system in decades.
“This is a historic moment of growth for California’s beloved state park system,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “Expanding and adding park properties will make it easier for Californians to get outdoors, protect beloved places, and conserve important habitat.”
The expansion of the three existing state parks is streamlined because of legislation championed last year by California State Parks Foundation, along with other organizations. In 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 630 (Allen), a new law that significantly accelerates the process of adding land to California’s existing state parks.
“The bold vision laid out by Governor Newsom sets California on a path to not just grow the State Park System but also provide more access and instill a greater connection and sense of pride for all Californians in their state parks,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “State Parks Forward would not be possible without our incomparable staff and partners like California State Parks Foundation and the amazing work they do every day in service to the people of California and their public lands.”
Prior to Senate Bill 630 law, acquiring land next to state parks had to go through multiple layers of approval by as many as three other government agencies. This process often would take years to complete. Thanks to SB 630, California State Parks is now empowered to conduct due diligence and move forward with acquiring adjacent land to expand state parks with fewer layers of approval.
“We’re proud to have championed the state law that streamlined the process of park expansions,” continued Rachel Norton. “This new approach is being put to work for the benefit of Californians.”
The just-announced park expansions are the first to move forward thanks to SB 630, and include the following:
- Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park: Located about an hour south of San Francisco in San Mateo County, Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest on the West Coast. For more than 150 years, the lighthouse guided ships to San Francisco and beyond. It is currently closed and being restored thanks to state and private funding, with advocacy and support from California State Parks Foundation. The lighthouse is set to reopen to the public by spring 2027. The expansion of this property includes a 133 acre addition. This addition triples the park’s footprint and also allows an extension of the California Coastal Trail through 1.5 miles of coastline in the park.
- Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve: Located in Mendocino County, this Natural Reserve includes groves of coast redwoods, and the two-mile-long Montgomery Trail. It is home to what was once thought to be the tallest tree in the world: a 367.5-foot redwood. Taller trees have since been identified in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Redwoods National Park. The expansion of this property includes a 453 acre addition featuring coast redwoods, oak woodlands, and 1.25 miles of streams for imperiled fish in the salmon family.
- South Yuba River State Park: Located in Nevada County, this state park includes a portion of the South Yuba River, its steep river canyon, and Bridgeport Covered Bridge, the longest single-span covered bridge in the world. In support of this state park, California State Parks Foundation has funded a River Ambassador program for multiple years. River Ambassadors help keep the South Yuba River safe and welcoming with an on-the-ground presence, visitor education, and emergency response coordination. The expansion of this property includes a 218 acre addition. With this addition, the iconic Independence Trail is now completely part of the state park. Independence Trail was the first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail in the country when it opened.
In addition, Governor Newsom announced the addition of three new state parks in the Central Valley – pushing the statewide total to 283 parks. California State Parks will immediately begin the public engagement process for all three new parks to hear directly from the surrounding communities and stakeholders about what they want to see in the future. The public can sign up to receive updates on engagement opportunities on the State Parks Forward webpage. Following the engagement process, State Parks will submit a visioning report to Governor Newsom this fall outlining key recommendations and next steps.
The park additions include the following:
- Feather River Park: Located along the Feather River, this will be the first state park in Yuba County and enhance access to recreation for local residents.
- San Joaquin River Parkway: Located in Fresno and Madera Counties, this new park will join together various properties, create expanded recreation opportunities, and provide greater access along the river.
- Dust Bowl Camp: Located in Kern County, this new park will be California’s first state park directly touching on the Dust Bowl and the migrant farming camps of the Great Depression.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change, we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.