California is offering a free version of its Historian Passport for a limited time, giving residents and visitors no-cost access to more than 30 state historic parks across the state. If you’ve been wondering “How can I get a free pass to the California state parks?” — here’s everything you need to know to claim yours and start visiting.
What the Free Pass Is
The Historian Passport is a special-edition pass announced by the Newsom administration in honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It normally costs $50 for the year, but for a limited window it can be downloaded completely free.
The pass covers admission for up to four people per pass at participating state historic parks and museums — specifically those that charge a per-person admission fee or a vehicle day-use fee.
Key Dates to Remember
- When you can claim it for free: From now through Monday, July 6, 2026. After that window closes, the free download offer ends.
- How long the pass is valid: Once you have it, you can use it for unlimited visits to participating historic parks through the end of 2026.
So the deadline to get the pass (July 6) is different from how long you can use it (through the end of the year). Download it before July 6 even if you don’t plan to visit a park until later.
How to Get Your Free Pass — Step by Step
The pass is obtained online through California’s official reservation system. Here’s the process:
- Go to ReserveCalifornia.com (the direct link is reservecalifornia.com/passes/advancepasses).
- Click “Passes” in the upper main menu.
- Log in to your existing account, or create a new account if you don’t have one.
- Use the dropdown menu on the page to select “Special Edition Historian Passport 2026 – $0.00.”
- Check out with your pass. It will be added to the list of passes within your account, usually right away.
That’s it — there’s no payment required during checkout for the special-edition version.
Which Parks Accept the Pass
The Historian Passport is honored at more than 30 state historic parks throughout California. A full, official list is available at parks.ca.gov (search for the Historian Passport page, page_id 30966).
Here are some of the participating parks to give you a sense of what’s included:
In and around Los Angeles County:
- Will Rogers State Historic Park (Pacific Palisades) — hiking trails, picnic areas, and a polo field.
- Los Encinos State Historic Park (Encino) — exhibits on Indigenous culture and Spanish colonization.
- Antelope Valley Indian Museum — exhibits on Indigenous cultures from the Antelope Valley, the California coast, the Great Basin, and the Southwest.
Elsewhere in the state:
- Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (Tulare County) — restored and reconstructed buildings of Allensworth, a California town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans in the early 1900s.
- Jack London State Historic Park (Sonoma County) — hiking and biking trails and historic buildings.
- The State Indian Museum State Historic Park (Sacramento) — exhibits on California’s diverse Indigenous populations.
The participating parks span the state and cover a wide range of history, from Gold Rush-era communities and military landmarks to historic homes, missions, and museums.
Quick FAQ
How much does it cost? Nothing during the free promotion window (the pass normally costs $50). Note that a passport covers entry/day-use fees at participating parks; it isn’t a fee for the pass itself during this offer.
How many people does one pass cover? Up to four people per pass.
Do I need to print it? The pass lives in your ReserveCalifornia account after checkout. Follow the instructions in your account for how to present it at participating parks.
What’s the absolute deadline to get it? Monday, July 6, 2026. After that, the free download is no longer available.
How long can I use it? Through the end of 2026, with unlimited visits to participating parks.
Background
The free Historian Passport is supported by donations from the California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, and it builds on California’s broader efforts to expand access to its park system — the largest and most diverse in the nation. It follows the state’s annual California State Parks Week and earlier announcements about creating and expanding state parks in the coming years.
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