FRESNO — California State Parks and partners will be celebrating the fourth annual California State Parks Week with special events at state parks throughout the Central Valley region beginning Wednesday, June 11. Presented by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California and Save the Redwoods League, this exciting celebration will feature special programs and activities highlighting the diversity of the nation’s largest state park system.
WHAT: Fourth Annual California State Parks Week
WHEN: Wednesday, June 11 to Sunday, June 15
WHERE:
Examples of upcoming events in the Central Valley region include the following. For a full list of local and statewide events and participation details, visit www.castateparks.org.
Amador County
- Photo and Art Contest Display at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
June 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM
View a public art contest display inside the museum, open daily with easy access through the museum’s lower-level entrance.
Calaveras County
- Introduction to Nature Journaling at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
June 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM
Learn to focus your mind and observe nature through journaling; meet to create your own nature journal and explore the forest’s details.
Fresno County
- ¡Vámonos al lago! Kickoff Summer at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Celebrate summer with family fun, games, Junior Ranger activities, and a piñata at the lake’s welcoming community event.
Madera County
- Explore via Paddle Sports at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
June 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM
Try kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding with expert guidance in a safe, supportive setting—equipment provided for ages 8 and up.
Merced County
- Sunset Kayak at Los Banos Creek Reservoir
June 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM
Enjoy a peaceful summer sunset kayak paddle at the reservoir—bring your own kayak or reserve one in advance. - San Joaquin River Cleanup at Great Valley Grasslands State Park
June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Help clean the San Joaquin River while enjoying a family-friendly day outdoors with supplies and shuttle provided.
Stanislaus County
- Celebrating Latino Heritage and Culture at Dos Rios
June 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM
Celebrate Latin culture outdoors with music, dance, food, artisans, wellness, and a vibrant car show in nature.
Tehama County
- Pollinator Party: Ladybug Picnic at William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Celebrate pollinators with live releases, costume contests, crafts, exhibits, and educational activities for all ages.
Tulare County
- Juneteenth Celebration at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
June 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM
Celebrate Juneteenth with live music, guided tours, kids’ activities, horse rides, and Black history at a historic pioneer town.
Tuolumne County
- Sierra Railway's Connection to Harvesting Renewable Resources at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
June 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM
Learn Tuolumne County’s logging history and climate efforts, then tour Railtown’s historic equipment with a guided presentation. - Viaje al pasado en el Parque Histórico Estatal Railtown 1897: Travel to the Past (In Spanish!) at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
June 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM
Únase a una visita guiada en español por la histórica rotonda y los talleres para explorar la historia del ferrocarril del parque y su papel en la industria cinematográfica.
For a full list of events statewide and participation details, visit CAStateParksWeek.org.
Whether you are exploring new outdoor activities, learning ways to protect the environment or connecting with your community, California State Parks Week offers something for everyone — all at no additional cost. It’s an opportunity to take direct climate action, enjoy the beauty of your parks and be part of a movement to preserve them for future generations. The festivities take added significance this year as California celebrates its 175th year of statehood.
“We’re proud to provide essential funding for over 30 events during California State Parks Week this year. Equitable access and meaningful park experiences are central to our mission, and we’re excited to help introduce new visitors to parks across the state through these free events.” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director at California State Parks Foundation. “This is especially true in California's Central Valley, where the newest state park, Dos Rios, opened just last year.”
Launched in 2022, California State Parks Week advances the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative. The initiative expands outdoor access to all Californians through focused investments in open space infrastructure, outdoor programming and improvements to permit applications, with a priority to support underserved communities.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Newsroom@parks.ca.gov.
To access hi-res images and b-roll video, please visit the California State Parks Week newsroom.
California State Parks Week Presenting Partners:
California State Parks
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
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.
Parks California
Parks California is a statewide nonprofit working to ensure state, regional and local parks thrive. As the statutory partner to California State Parks, Parks California has a simple mission—to help strengthen parks and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places. From redwood groves and desert springs to urban parks and lighthouses, the organization works with partners to steward these natural wonders and make California’s parks more welcoming, accessible and relevant to all visitors. For more information, please visit parkscalifornia.org.
Save the Redwoods League
One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 600,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.