Free National Park Pass for 4th Graders: How Every Kid Outdoors Works
U.S. fourth graders can get a free pass that gets their family into national parks and other federal lands for a full year. Here is how to get and use it.
The Every Kid Outdoors pass is a free pass for U.S. fourth graders that lets their family into national parks and other federal lands and waters that charge entrance fees. To get it, the child completes a short online activity on the official Every Kid Outdoors website and prints a paper pass, or gets the digital version through Recreation.gov. The pass follows a school-year calendar, September 1 to August 31, so it can be used all summer too.
Who qualifies
- U.S. fourth graders. The official site says the program provides passes for fourth graders only.
- Homeschooled children in the fourth-grade equivalent can also get one.
- Family and friends can come along. The program says fourth graders can bring family and friends on adventures free for a full year.
The National Park Service (NPS) describes the pass as free access to more than 2,000 federal lands and waters. These sites are managed by several agencies, including the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
How to get the pass, step by step
- Go to the official site. Start at everykidoutdoors.gov. Use the official .gov address, because the pass is free.
- Confirm the grade. The site asks whether the child is in fourth grade or the homeschool equivalent.
- Let your child do the activity. Kids fill in a short diary entry about what they would like to see and do.
- Print the paper pass. The site says electronic copies of the paper pass are not accepted, so print it and bring it along.
- Or choose the digital pass. The NPS says a digital fourth grade pass is available through Recreation.gov. Follow the instructions on the official pages.
- Keep it with you. Put the printed pass in the glove box or daypack with an ID for the adult.
Instructions have changed over the years, so older blog posts may describe different steps. Always follow the current official site.
Paper pass vs. digital pass
| Paper pass | Digital pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | everykidoutdoors.gov, after the short activity | Recreation.gov, as described on the NPS page |
| Cost | Free | Free for U.S. fourth graders, according to the NPS passes page |
| Format | Printed copy; electronic copies are not accepted | Digital |
| If you are unsure it will work | Have an adult call the site before you go | Confirm with the site too |
What the pass covers
The pass is meant for entrance fees and standard day-use fees at participating sites. NPS site pages describe how it works for a group:
- At sites that charge per vehicle, it covers the passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle.
- At sites that charge per person, it covers the fourth grader, children under 16 and up to three adults.
These details may differ by site, so read the rules on the official site and the park’s page before you go.
What it does not cover
- Camping, tours and permits. Fees like these are generally separate. The NPS notes that even on fee-free days, timed entry and reservation fees may still apply, so check the rules page for the pass.
- Local parking fees. Great Smoky Mountains National Park says that interagency passes such as America the Beautiful do not cover its parking tag. Check whether a park has a similar charge.
- Privately run attractions. The pass may not be honored at concessions or at sites run by private operators.
- State and local parks. The pass is federal. Some states offer their own fourth-grade programs, so check your state parks website.
Make the most of the pass year
Because the program year starts September 1 and runs through August 31, a pass issued this fall is meant to last through August 31, 2027 (as of November 2026). That includes the summer after fourth grade. A few ideas:
- Pick a destination. Our list of the best national parks for kids compares eight options by age, season and crowds.
- Add a badge. Many NPS sites offer a Junior Ranger program. See our Junior Ranger guide.
- Look close to home. A national forest, wildlife refuge or historic site nearby may be a cheap day trip. For more budget ideas, see cheap family vacation ideas.
- Plan around closures. Winter hours, road closures and seasonal shuttles can limit what you can see, so check each site’s page.
The NPS also shares details on its Every Kid Outdoors page.
Before you go: quick checklist
- Print the paper pass, or have the digital pass ready.
- Check the site’s page for hours, closures and any reservation rules.
- Budget for camping, tours or parking if the site charges them separately.
- Bring an ID for the adult, in case a ranger or entrance station asks.
- Ask at the visitor center about ranger programs and Junior Ranger booklets.
Bottom line
If you have a fourth grader, it takes a few minutes to get the pass, and it can cover a whole year of entrance fees at federal sites. Start at the official website, print the pass or choose the digital one, and check a site’s page before you go. Use the pass during the school year and over summer vacation, since it expires on August 31.
FAQ
Can fifth graders still use the pass?
The program year ends on August 31, and passes are issued only for fourth graders. A pass from a previous program year will have expired, so it will not work after that date.
Can homeschooled children get a pass?
Yes. The official site accepts children in the fourth-grade equivalent.
Does the pass work at state parks?
No. It is for federal lands and waters. Some states run similar programs, so look at your state parks website.
Do we need to bring the paper pass with us?
Yes, if you use the paper pass. Print it ahead of time, because the site says electronic copies are not accepted. If you choose the digital pass, follow the official instructions.
