CALIFORNIA — November 7, 2026. California State Parks will offer free admission to eligible U.S. veterans, active-duty personnel and reserve military members at 145 participating park units on Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day.

Who can use the offer?

Eligible visitors must show a valid military ID or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct. Families can check the terms for individual parks; the announcement says veterans and their families are welcomed, but admission treatment may differ at particular destinations, so visitors should not assume every vehicle or add-on activity is free.

Some of the participating destinations

Examples include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California State Railroad Museum, Mount Tamalpais State Park, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and Pismo State Beach. The complete list is available on the official Veterans Day 2026 participating parks page.

Before visiting

Not all state parks are on the list, and existing park-specific restrictions, reservations and safety notices may still apply. Check whether the selected park is open and what proof is required. In places with high fire danger or storm impacts, a free-entry promotion never overrides closure signs or other public safety rules.

Source: California State Parks, November 2, 2026.

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