MENDOCINO Co., 2/23/18 — Beginning tomorrow, Saturday February 24 at 8am, you’ll be able to get free passes to visit the redwoods as part of a year-long celebration by Save the Redwoods and California State Parks. These passes are for a visit on March 10. The free passes cover one vehicle and entrance fees but there are only a limited number available and they are first come, first serve — so get yours quickly!
Russian Gulch State Park; photo from California State Parks.
There are a number of parks in Mendocino and Humboldt counties participating in the program. Here’s the information about the free pass program from our previous coverage. Passes will be available for the second Saturday of every month for the rest of 2018: March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8. Passes for the April event will go on sale at 8am on March 31.
Here’s the press release for the upcoming event on March 10:
Save the Redwoods League Makes March ‘Free Second Saturdays’
Passes Available Beginning February 24
40+ Redwood State Park Destinations Will Be Offering a Limited Number of Free Day-Use Passes for Saturday, March 10th
SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 23, 2018) — To celebrate 100 years of saving California’s iconic redwood forest, Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks are offering free day-use admission to more than 40 redwood state parks on the second Saturday of each month in 2018. The next free Second Saturday is March 10. Passes are available for download at FreeRedwoodsDays.org beginning at 8 a.m. on February 24. The goal of Free Second Saturdays at Redwood State Parks is to reconnect the people of California with these magnificent natural legacies, to inspire visitors with the beauty and power of the redwoods, and to celebrate Save the Redwoods League’s 100-year conservation legacy.
The passes cover day-use admission and parking fees. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis at FreeRedwoodsDays.org beginning today at 8 a.m. on February 24, 2018. Some of the participating parks are Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Please visit FreeRedwoodsDays.org to sign up as space is limited.
Please keep in mind:
- The number of passes is limited. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis according to each park’s capacity.
- Only one day-use pass is needed per vehicle, per park.
- The pass covers day-use admission and parking fees. The pass does not guarantee a parking space or entry if the park is full due to high demand.
- To ensure valid entry and avoid fines, printed passes must be presented to park staff members at entry gates or displayed on vehicle dashboards if no personnel are on duty.
- Electronic images of the pass will not be accepted.
- Consider visiting a state park during off-peak hours – opening time to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to closing time.
- Visitors without passes are welcome, but must pay admission.
- We encourage all park visitors to review and obey park rules.
- Share your experiences with us on social media and tag them with #FreeRedwoodsDays, #Stand4Redwoods and #CAStateParks.
For detailed information, including a full list of participating state parks, park operating hours and outdoor safety tips, please visit FreeRedwoodsDays.org.
The 2018 dates for Free Second Saturdays are:
- March 10
- April 14
- May 12
- June 9
- July 14
- August 11
- September 8
- October 13
- November 10
- December 8
“People come from around the world to walk among California’s ancient redwoods,” said Sam Hodder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Save the Redwoods League. “As part of our Centennial celebration, Save the Redwoods League is thrilled to host a free day in the redwood parks once a month all year long. We invite you to stand under the world’s tallest living creatures – the most powerful forest in the fight against climate change – and learn why we are working so hard to protect and restore it. We are celebrating our 100th birthday in the redwood parks, and we want you to join us!”
California State Parks invites the public to enjoy state parks year-round. With 280 park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites and 4,500 miles of trails, the state park system provides wonderful recreational, educational and inspirational opportunities for more than 68 million visitors annually.
Save the Redwoods League
One of the nation’s oldest conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918, connecting generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. Our 17,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 204,000 acres of irreplaceable forest in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For more information, go to SaveTheRedwoods.org.
California Department of Parks and Recreation
The California Department of Parks and 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. Off-highway motor vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on- and off-road cycling, hiking, camping and rock climbing are some of the recreational activities enjoyed in 280 state parks organized into 22 field districts throughout the state. Visit us at parks.ca.gov.
