Three new parks in the Central Valley, 30,000 acres added to existing parks, and a broader push for outdoor access
Big news for outdoor lovers: California is expanding its state park system in a major way.
On Earth Day, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled “State Parks Forward,” a plan to add three new state parks in the Central Valley while expanding existing parks by tens of thousands of acres over the next several years.
The initiative builds on the administration’s Outdoors for All and 30×30 priorities and is backed in part by SB 630 (2025) and AB 679 (2025), two bills signed last year that help clear the way for faster acquisitions and long-term land protection. According to the state, the plan would preserve and protect an additional 30,000 acres by the end of the decade while expanding public access to recreation. 
The move aims to bring more outdoor recreation opportunities to underserved communities—especially in inland regions that have historically had fewer nearby parks.
If completed as planned, California will grow its already nation-leading system to 283 state parks.
The New Parks
Feather River Park (Yuba County)
Set along nearly 2,000 acres of riverfront, this would become the first state park in Yuba County, offering access to boating, riverside beaches, and restored habitat areas.
San Joaquin River Parkway (Fresno & Madera Counties)
This 874-acre park would link existing riverfront lands into a unified recreation corridor—creating a new hub for paddling, fishing, and trail use near Fresno.
Dust Bowl Camp (Kern County)
A smaller but historically significant site, this former migrant labor camp—featured in The Grapes of Wrath—would become a unique cultural and educational park experience.
Why It Matters for Outdoor Recreation
For years, much of California’s park investment has focused on coastal and iconic destinations. This initiative shifts attention inland—bringing new access points for hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, and cultural exploration to the Central Valley.
It’s also part of the state’s broader “30×30” goal: conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.
And unlike traditional expansions, many of these land additions are being secured through partnerships and low-cost transfers—helping grow access without significantly increasing long-term costs.
Expanding Existing Parks
In addition to the new parks, California plans to add 30,000 acres to existing state parks by the end of the decade through partnerships and low- or no-cost land transfers. These expansions aim to protect wildlife habitat and sensitive ecosystems while improving recreation access—without significantly increasing long-term costs.
Recent Additions Already Underway
Several expansions have already been completed, including 804 acres added in the past week:
- Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve (Mendocino County) — +453 acres of redwood forest and salmon-supporting streams, increasing the park’s size by 16%.
- South Yuba River State Park (Nevada County) — +218 acres, bringing the historic Independence Trail fully into the park system.
- Pigeon Point Light Station SHP (San Mateo County) — +133 acres, tripling the park’s size and extending the California Coastal Trail along 1.5 miles of coastline.
The Big Picture
For outdoor users, this expansion is less about headline numbers and more about where access is growing. The focus on inland regions—especially river corridors in the Central Valley—signals a shift toward recreation closer to where people live, not just destination parks.
