Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Every 4th grader in the United States has the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of the nation with their family for free, thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors Program.
This program gives 4th grade students and their families free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including some of the most breathtaking national parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries and forests. With a focus on fostering a love for nature and the outdoors, this program is an invitation to embark on unforgettable adventures.
If you don’t have a 4th grade student, you can still access parks for free. View the free days at U.S. National Parks and Forest Service free days.
Find out how the program works and how to get a 4th grade pass to the national parks.
Free National Parks Pass for 4th Graders
The Every Kid Outdoors Program aims to introduce 4th grade students to the beauty and diversity of America’s public lands by providing them with a free annual pass. This pass allows them, along with their families, classmates and friends, to visit and explore these federal lands without any entry fees.
The program is an interagency collaboration between several key federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Forest Service.
The program specifically targets 4th graders, who are typically around 10 years old, because research shows that children in this age group are at a unique developmental stage. At this age, children are beginning to grasp more concrete concepts about the world around them and are particularly receptive to engaging with nature. By encouraging visits to federal lands during this crucial time, the program aims to establish a lifelong connection between these young explorers and the great outdoors.
How do 4th graders get free national parks pass?
To obtain the free pass, visit the Every Kid Outdoors website, participate in a short educational activity and then download a voucher. This voucher can be used multiple times between September 1 and August 31 of the following year. The voucher can also be exchanged for a keepsake pass at participating federal lands. Simply show your pass to a ranger when you enter. If there is no ranger, leave it on your car’s dashboard.
The pass grants free entry not only for the 4th grader. It also includes:
- Admission for all children under 16 and up to three adults for free for sites that charge entrance fees per person.
- Admission for admits all children under 16 and all adults in up to one passenger vehicle at sites that charges vehicle entrance fees.
- Admission for all children under 16 and up to three adults if you arrive at a site on bicycles.
Home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age may also receive the pass.
Also, you do need to print your pass and bring it with you when you visit. Electronic copies aren’t accepted. Keep in mind, Multnomah County libraries offer free printing for cardholders.
The Every Kid Outdoors Program is more than just a chance for a free pass; it’s an opportunity to inspire a lifelong love for nature and the environment. By making America’s public lands accessible to 4th graders, the program helps to instill an appreciation for the country’s natural and historical treasures.
Participating Federal Agencies
The Every Kid Outdoors Program is supported by seven federal agencies, including:
- National Park Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Passes are valid from September 1 through August 31 of the student in 4th grade. For more information about getting the 4th grade pass to the national parks, visit Every Kid Outdoors Program’s website.
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