Free 4th Grader National Park Pass
Do you have a 4th grader that loves to explore the outdoors? With the free national park pass for 4th graders, you can explore parks around the US without paying an entrance fee for a year!
In this post I will explain how students and their families can enjoy the outdoors more with the Every Kid Outdoors Program.
What is the Every Kid Outdoors Program?
The free national park pass for 4th graders is a part of the Every Kid Outdoors Program. This is a US Federal government program that was developed to encourage 4th graders and their families to get outside and enjoy our nation’s parks, forests, historical sites and wildlife reserves.
Why Do 4th Graders Get a Free National Park Pass?
According to the Every Kid Outdoors website, they found that kids between 9 and 11 are the perfect age to appreciate the heritage of the parks and they also love to explore.
Who is Eligible For the 4th Grade National Park Pass?
Children that are currently in 4th grade or have just graduated 4th grade are eligible to receive a free pass. The eligible dates start on September 1st for their current school year and end on August 31st.
That means if your child graduated 4th grade, they can still use the pass during the summer until August 31st.
If you have a 3rd grade child that will be going into 4th grade, you can apply for the pass on September 1st. They can use it during their 4th grade school year and the following summer until August 31st.
The pass also covers:
- Entry fees per person for all children under 16 and up to 3 adults. (4th grader must be present)
- Vehicle entrance fees for all children under 16 and up to 3 adults. (4th grader must be present)
What Parks are Included in the Free National Park Pass?
The pass is good for visiting national parks, forests, protected animal sites and national campsites. To get a full list of participating locations go to Plan Your Trip on the Every Kid Outdoor Website.
What is Not Included in the Free Pass?
State and Local Parks
The pass does not include entrance fees for state, local or city parks unless those departments choose to accept the pass.
At first, this was kind of a bummer for me because the closest park that we enjoy visiting is Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY. There is a vehicle entrance fee to visit during the day. We typically go in the evening when they waive the entrance fee.
But, good news for New Yorkers! New York State does accept the pass for New York State Parks according to the New York State Parks and Recreation website. So Letchworth State Park is valid and so are a ton of other great parks which you can find on the NY Parks interactive map.
If you are outside of NY, just Google your state’s Parks and Recreation website to see if they accept the pass.
Fees and Tours
The pass doesn’t include parking fees, camp site rentals and certain tours. Their website also notes that some attractions might be privately owned, which may not be covered.
It’s a good idea to check with the site you plan to visit to see what the pass covers.
How Do I Get a Free National Park Pass for 4th Graders?
4th Grade Students
4th grade students can apply by filling out the adventure diary on the Every Kid Outdoors website. When they complete the questionnaire they can download their pass to print out.
I can’t go into details about the adventure diary at this time because I don’t have a 4th grader…yet. But my daughter will be eligible on September 1, 2023!
4th Grade Educators
Teachers, religious leaders, home-school parents, and camp leaders of 4th graders can also apply for the pass for their 4th graders by following the steps on the Educator page.
Conclusion
Whether you want to visit local areas around your home or travel out of state, the free national park pass for 4th graders is a budget friendly way to explore the natural beauty around us. If you have a 4th grader I hope you take advantage of this program!
Please share with me in the comments the areas you have explored or would like to explore!
