Do you have a 4th grader child at home? If so, then good news! You can get a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass that the whole family can enjoy.
In 2024, the usual cost for an annual pass is $80, so this is a great opportunity!
Every Kid Outdoors Program
Started in 2015, the Every Kid Outdoors program was launched to make available the wonders of our national parks to every fourth grader in the USA for an entire year. Pass holders can visit more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide for free, including sites such as Yellowstone National Park, the St. Louis Arch, and Mount Rushmore.
The goal of the Every Kid Outdoors program is to introduce fourth graders to public lands and encourage them to get outside and be physically active, while also learning more about our wildlife and natural resources so that they can be better stewards of them in the future. It fits right in with the perspective of most people who travel by RV who like to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
You’re within two hours from an included site no matter where you are within the United States.
National Park Free Pass Program Eligibility
The Every Kid Outdoors free National Park pass program is available for all fourth graders (or home-school equivalent) students in the United States. The pass is good for one year, starting in September of each year and running through August of each year.
How to Get a Free Pass to National Parks
Starting every September 1st, fourth graders can obtain a free pass by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website. Students participate in a short educational activity on the website and state that they are in the fourth grade.
The entire process takes about three minutes. No further confirmation of their eligibility is required.
After going through a very short ‘choose your own adventure’ type activity on the website, a summary of the student’s choices are made into a diary entry. The student then selects a button to receive his or her free pass.
On the next page, the student is asked to enter his or her zip code. He or she can then print the paper pass, which will look like the version below. It has a unique code so that the number of participants can be measured.
(Note: Don’t print the version below. You need to generate your own unique pass by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website!)
The student prints the pass and then can use it for free entrance to any of our national parks or other national lands for a full year.
If you lose the pass, you can go back to the website and print a new one.
Use of the National Park Pass
The free pass admits the fourth grader and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle at fee areas, such as National Parks or National Monuments. You can bring the whole family for free using the park pass, provided you all fit in one vehicle.
For locations that charge per person, the pass admits the fourth grader, up to three adults, and all children under age 16 for free.
The fourth grader must be present at entry.
When you enter the National Park, National Monument, or other area, you show the ranger your printed paper park pass.
You must have an actual printed paper version of the pass. Digital versions, such as on your phone, laptop, or tablet, won’t be accepted. Be sure to plan ahead and print out your pass!
The ranger will exchange your paper pass for a plastic Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites such as National Parks that change entrance or day use fees. (See the full list of locations that will exchange the paper version of the pass for a plastic copy here.)
The Every Kid in a Park pass doesn’t cover camping costs, so campsite reservations are extra.
