Recreation
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- Written by: California State Parks
Not all superheroes wear capes ... some wear hiking boots or a life jacket.
This Fourth of July weekend, California State Parks invites visitors recreating at any of California’s 280 incredible state parks to celebrate the holiday weekend responsibly by making smart choices for a safe, fun, and unforgettable time in the outdoors — no superpowers needed.
With over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, and 5,200 miles of trails, state parks offer plenty of outdoor opportunities to spend time with family and friends, reconnect with nature and enjoy the benefits to your mental and physical health.
Whether you're diving into a lake, hitting the trails, roasting marshmallows or just soaking in the views, here are eight easy ways to be a holiday superhero:
1. Rock the life jacket
Water-related accidents can happen suddenly. By making sure you and those with you, especially kids, wear properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, you can help save lives. View locations where public agencies and private organizations offer to loan life jackets to the public.
2. Stay on guard around water
Assign a designated “water watcher” to keep an eye on children in or near the water; never assume someone else is paying attention. Only swim in designated areas, obey posted signs, and if someone’s in trouble, call 9-1-1 or alert a lifeguard immediately. Remember that swimming in a lake, ocean, or river is different than swimming in a pool. Waves, tides, strong rip currents, and other water hazards can appear quickly and provide little time to act.
3. Skip the alcohol while steering
Just like driving a car, operating a boat or an off-highway vehicle (OHV) with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is illegal and dangerous. Don’t risk it. Check the webpage for the park you plan to visit to determine if there are local ordinances concerning alcohol. To learn more about operating OHVs on public lands and boats on California’s waterways, visit the Boat California webpage and the OHV regulations webpage.
4. Don’t play with fire
All fireworks are prohibited in California’s state parks. If you build a campfire, never leave it – or children near it – unattended. Always have a shovel and bucket of water nearby and fully extinguish your fire before walking away.
5. Leave no trace
Leave areas better than you find them by packing out all trash, including food waste and toilet paper. For human waste, use waste alleviation gel bags or portable toilet systems, and avoid disturbing wildlife or plants.
6. Stay on trails
Whether you are hiking, horseback riding, or operating an OHV, stick to designated trails to protect natural resources and to help you from getting lost. Check with State Park staff or volunteers about trails best suited to your abilities. Make sure to hike with a buddy.
7. Respect the weather
Plan activities based on temperatures throughout the day. Shield yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Hydrate often and avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks in the heat. Dress for the weather and your activity.
8. Plan ahead (and keep others informed)
Prior to leaving home, check the status of the state park you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Also, share your itinerary with someone at home, including your destination, who’s going, and when you expect to return. It could save your life in an emergency.
This Fourth of July, be the holiday superhero who helps you and your loved ones make it home safe with memories to last a lifetime. For more safety tips and outdoor guidance, visit parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
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- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Summer is in full swing and that means pool parties, barbecues, camping trips and Free Fishing Days.
This year you can catch an opportunity to fish throughout California without a fishing license on two Free Fishing Days — Saturday, July 5, and Saturday, Aug. 30 — and you might also catch a rainbow trout, largemouth bass or Kokanee salmon. It’s a great excuse to relax next to a beautiful lake or river and enjoy the great outdoors, and you might go home with tasty fish to throw on the grill.
For those new to fishing, this is a chance to explore a rewarding and exciting new hobby. For licensed anglers, this is a chance to introduce or reintroduce someone else to the joys of becoming an angler. Free fishing days are also a perfect time for former anglers to return and reconnect to the activity.
Children 15 and younger can fish for free every day of the year in California, but Free Fishing Days offer a time when families and friends can experience the hobby together.
Those interested in fishing California’s lakes, streams and rivers can find information about inland fishing locations and species on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, website.
Information is also available about year-round free fishing opportunities found on specific piers, jetties and breakwaters along the coast. Other helpful tools for anglers include the fish planting schedule, fishing guide and Recruit, Retain, Reactivate, or R3, Program resources.
A variety of offerings are also available from CDFW’s Fishing in the City program, which focuses on teaching Californians how and where to fish in metropolitan areas. General information about the Fishing in the City program can be found on the CDFW website.
Dozens of bodies of water across the Golden State await anglers with catchable-size trout recently stocked by CDFW hatcheries staff.
Some of those waters include Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County, Stoney Creek in Tulare County, Shaver Lake in Fresno County, Silver Lake in Amador County, Lake Almanor in Plumas County and Burney Creek in Shasta County.
All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect. CDFW encourages potential anglers to check rules and regulations for each water they plan to fish.
For new anglers who get “hooked” on fishing, be sure to purchase an annual sport fishing license. Revenue generated from license sales helps conserve fish populations and habitats while supporting California's longstanding angling opportunities for future generations. Annual sport fishing licenses are now valid for a full 365-days from purchase. More information on licenses, validations and fees can be found on CDFW’s sport fishing licenses web page.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Plaskett Meadows Campground, located in western Glenn County on Forest Hwy 7, has reopened.
The campground was damaged in the 2020 August Complex fire and suffered additional damage during winter storms in recent years.
Grindstone Ranger District staff have worked diligently to mitigate safety hazards, remove fallen trees and restore the campground for the public to enjoy.
Forest staff and contractors installed new fire rings, barriers and signs.
Two campsites, No. 7 and No. 18, do not yet have picnic tables, but new tables will be installed soon. Water is available at the campground.
Additionally, the forest has started a new scan and pay option through recreation.gov at several first come, first serve campgrounds, including Plaskett Meadows. Cash and checks are also accepted.
Information about recreation opportunities in Mendocino National Forest is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/mendocino.
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- Written by: Editor
On June 14 and June 19, the USDA Forest Service will waive standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas.
Saturday, June 14 celebrates National Get Outdoors Day, inviting everyone to connect with the great outdoors for healthy, active lifestyles.
Thursday, June 19 celebrates the historic Juneteenth holiday.
On these special fee-free days, standard amenity fees are waived for day use sites — like picnic areas, developed trailheads, and destination visitor centers. Some exceptions apply. To check if a site will be fee free and for safety alerts, contact your local national forest website.
About 95% of national forest land can be enjoyed fee-free, year-round. Where fees are assessed, at least 80% of these funds are reinvested at the collection site, to provide needed maintenance and services or pay for future improvements.
The Forest Service offers fee-free access a few times each year to encourage exploring national forests and grasslands. The remaining fee-free observances for 2025 are National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
For more information about interagency passes, visit the Forest Service’s Passes and Permits page.
The Forest Service encourages everyone to take advantage of these fee-free opportunities to experience the great outdoors. Get outside and connect with nature to reflect, exercise and make memories.
For regional happenings, follow @YourPSWForests on Facebook, X and Instagram. Or search for individual national forests on Facebook and X.
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