YUBA COUNTY, Calif. — A 2,000-acre site along the Feather River is set to become one of California’s newest state parks and the first in Yuba County as part of a major statewide expansion announced this week by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Feather River Park, near Olivehurst, is currently owned by the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority of Yuba County and spans nearly 2,000 acres along the river.
State officials say the site includes a floodplain designed to absorb water during high-flow years, along with restored natural habitat areas. It currently provides access to the Feather River, including a boat launch and riverside beach.
Once designated, it will become the first California state park in Yuba County, a region of about 85,000 residents, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities in an area with historically limited state-managed public lands.
The announcement is part of “State Parks Forward,” a new initiative unveiled by Newsom that aims to rapidly expand California’s State Park System. The plan calls for adding three new state parks in the Central Valley and expanding existing parks by 30,000 acres by the end of the decade.
Funding for the expansion is supported by the $10 billion 2024 climate bond, which includes nearly $700 million dedicated to expanding access to nature and additional statewide investments for public land acquisition. Officials say the effort is designed to leverage partnerships with local land trusts and nonprofit organizations to streamline acquisitions and keep costs low for the state.
State officials say the effort will grow the system to 283 state parks — the largest and most diverse state park system in the nation — while increasing access to outdoor recreation, particularly in underserved communities.
The initiative is part of a broader push to conserve land, expand recreation opportunities, and strengthen environmental protections across California.