California Announces Largest State Park Expansion in Decades
- Rex Ballard
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Three New Parks Coming to the Central Valley
REDDING — Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans Wednesday for three new California state parks — all in the Central Valley — calling it the biggest expansion of the state park system in decades. The move, unveiled on Earth Day along the San Joaquin River in Fresno, would bring the statewide total to 283 parks if approved.
All three sites are already publicly owned by local agencies or conservancies, so they can transfer to the state at little or no cost to taxpayers. The announcement is part of the “State Parks Forward” initiative, which also includes adding roughly 30,000 acres to existing parks by 2030 through streamlined acquisitions.
1. Feather River Park (Yuba County / Olivehurst area, ~1,600–2,000 acres) Yuba County’s first-ever state park. This riverfront site south of Marysville includes a beach, boat launch, and strong potential for rafting, swimming, fishing, hiking, and floodplain habitat protection. For North State residents, it’s one of the closer new options — just a couple of hours south in the Sacramento Valley.
2. San Joaquin River Parkway (Fresno and Madera counties, ~874 acres) An existing 22-mile river corridor along the northern edge of Fresno will become a full state park. Expect waterfront trails for hiking and biking, boating access, fishing, and scenic views near Millerton Lake State Recreation Area.
3. Dust Bowl Camp (Sunset Migratory Labor Camp / Weedpatch Camp, Kern County, ~2 acres) A small but powerful historic site south of Bakersfield. The 1937 federal migrant labor camp housed Dust Bowl families from Oklahoma and elsewhere. It directly inspired John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new park will focus on preservation and public education.
Official Announcement Video: Watch Gov. Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom reveal the plans live on the San Joaquin River:
Historical Context Video Huell Howser’s classic California’s Gold episode, touring the real Weedpatch Camp:
Planning for the new parks is just beginning. Public input meetings are expected soon, and no firm opening dates have been set. Officials say the focus is on equity — giving Central Valley families (often underserved by parks) better access to nature while advancing the state’s 30x30 conservation goals.
North State readers already enjoy world-class parks like McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, but this expansion adds more options for weekend trips south. Shasta Unfiltered will keep you updated on planning timelines and public comment opportunities.
What do you think — good use of public land, or should the state focus more on the North State? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Shastaunfiltrered.com
