The California State Parks Foundation Photo Contest invites park visitors and photography enthusiasts to capture the natural beauty, recreational activities, and unique landscapes of California’s state parks. This annual contest highlights the people, places, and stories that make our parks special. Winning photographs will be featured in our annual calendar, shared online, and help inspire support for California’s parks.
Contest Categories
You may submit up to three (3) photos per category:
- Scenic Landscapes – Natural beauty across all seasons
- Wildlife & Nature – Flora, fauna, ecosystems, and natural details
- Recreation & Activities – Hiking, camping, swimming, surfing, etc.
- People in Parks – Enjoying parks responsibly and sustainably
- California History – Cultural and historic heritage in state parks
Awards & Recognition
- Category Winners: Featured in the 2026 California State Parks Foundation calendar and win a California Explorer Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass ($195 value)
- Honorable Mentions: Featured on California State Parks Foundation’s website, social media, and digital gallery
- All winners receive a complimentary calendar and recognition across California State Parks Foundation channels
Judging Criteria
Photos will be judged on:
- Creativity and originality
- Technical quality (exposure, focus, composition)
- Relevance to the category
- Emotional impact and storytelling
- Overall aesthetic appeal
- To ensure fairness, judging will be conducted without photographer names. California State Parks Foundation staff must recuse themselves from voting if they know an entrant.
Submission Guidelines
- Eligibility: Open to all ages. Participants under 18 must have parental/guardian consent.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
- Maximum Entries: 3 photos per category per person
Photo Requirements:
- JPEG format, high resolution (minimum 300 dpi at 8.7" x 11")
- Horizontal orientation required
- No watermarks, signatures, or identifying marks
- Must be taken in a California state park
- Model Releases: Entrants are solely responsible for obtaining and retaining written photo release forms from all individuals who are recognizable in their submitted photographs, including minors. For individuals under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian’s consent is required. By submitting a photograph, the entrant affirms that all necessary permissions and releases have been secured and that California State Parks Foundation bears no responsibility for any claims arising from the use of a person’s likeness. Failure to provide valid releases upon request may result in disqualification.
Disqualifications
Photos may be disqualified if they:
- Include watermarks, text, or identifying marks
- Are not high resolution or properly formatted
- Were not taken in a California state park
- Depict harmful or prohibited activities (e.g. feeding wildlife, off-trail hiking)
- Are submitted by California State Parks Foundation staff, California State Parks Foundation Board members, or California State Parks staff
- Include subjects who have not permitted to use their likeness in a photo
Content Use & Rights
By submitting, participants grant California State Parks Foundation a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use their photos in:
- Marketing, media, and fundraising materials
- Social media posts
- Website and publications, including the calendar
Photographers will always be credited when their photos are used. Winners will be asked for permission before their photo is published in the calendar.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email us at info@calparks.org.