The 4th grade national park pass is free for U.S. fourth-grade students, including home-school equivalents. As of November 2026, the 2026–2027 pass is valid through August 31, 2027, and covers entrance or standard day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites when the fourth grader is present.
How does the 4th grade national park pass work?
It gets a fourth grader and a covered group into participating federal recreation sites for free. The official name is the Every Kid Outdoors pass, and it’s part of the America the Beautiful pass program.
Here’s the clean version: a current U.S. fourth grader completes the online activity, gets a paper pass or voucher, and brings it to a participating federal park, land, or water site. As of November 2026, the Every Kid Outdoors official rules say the pass is for the 2026 to 2027 school year and expires August 31, 2027.
The pass is not just for national parks. It can work at participating sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, when those sites charge entrance or standard amenity day-use fees, according to the USGS Store pass FAQ.
Who qualifies for the fourth grade national park pass?
U.S. fourth graders qualify. As of November 2026, that includes students in fourth grade, home-school equivalent students, and free-choice learners who are 10 years old, according to federal pass guidance.
The program is built around the school year, not the calendar year. That matters. If your kid is in fourth grade during the 2026–2027 school year, the current pass runs through August 31, 2027.
Educators can also help. As of November 2026, fourth-grade teachers and adults working with fourth graders through qualified youth-serving organizations can print one paper pass for each student, and the official educator page says up to 300 passes can be printed at a time before filling out the form again on the Every Kid Outdoors educator page.
How do you get the Every Kid Outdoors pass?
You get it online, then bring it with you. The pass is meant to be simple, but don’t wait until you are sitting at an entrance booth with spotty service.
- Go to the official Every Kid Outdoors get-your-pass page.
- Have the fourth grader complete the online activity.
- Print the paper pass or voucher.
- Pack it with your trip papers, not in a random school folder.
- Show it at the entrance station, or display it as directed at an unstaffed site.
As of November 2026, the official rules say electronic copies of the paper pass are not accepted for access or exchange. If you want a digital version, Every Kid Outdoors directs families to use Recreation.gov with a grown-up.
What does the pass cover at national parks and federal lands?
It covers entrance fees or standard amenity day-use fees at participating federal sites. It does not turn your whole trip free.
| Situation | What the pass covers as of November 2026 | What to check before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Per-vehicle entrance fee | The fourth grader and everyone in one private, noncommercial passenger vehicle | Extra vehicles still need their own pass or fee payment |
| Per-person entrance fee | The fourth grader, all children under 16, and up to three adults | Additional adults may pay the regular fee |
| Arriving by bicycle | The fourth grader, all children under 16, and up to three adults on bikes | Rules can vary by site, so call ahead |
| Camping, tours, boats, parking, permits | Not covered by the pass | Reserve and pay separately if required |
The big catch: the fourth grader must be there. The pass is non-transferable, so you can’t hand it to another family member for a grown-ups-only trip.
What does the pass not cover?
It does not cover every cost you might run into outdoors. As of November 2026, the official rules say the pass does not cover parking fees, camping, boats, or special tours, and the USGS FAQ adds expanded amenity fees such as boat launching, special permits, ferries, and some concession-run services.
- Campground fees
- Boat launch fees
- Parking fees where charged separately
- Special tours or cave tours
- Timed-entry reservations or reservation fees when a site requires them
- State, local, city, or county park fees unless that site says it accepts the pass
- Private concessionaire services
Translation: the pass is excellent for entrance. It is not a blank check for cabins, shuttle tickets, guided tours, or campsites.
Can you exchange the paper pass for a plastic pass?
Yes, at certain sites. As of November 2026, Every Kid Outdoors says you can trade the paper pass for a limited-edition plastic pass at listed exchange locations.
If you want the sturdier card, use the official Every Kid Outdoors exchange page to look up places by state or territory. The plastic pass is handy if you’ll use it often, but the paper pass still needs to be treated like real trip gear. Keep it dry. Keep it readable. Don’t leave it on the kitchen counter.
Which parks accept the 4th grade pass?
Participating federal recreation sites accept it when they charge eligible entrance or standard amenity fees. Many national parks accept it, but the smartest move is to check the specific park before you drive.
Why the caution? Some places have no entrance fee. Some charge for something the pass does not cover. Some facilities on federal land are run by private operators. And the Every Kid Outdoors site warns that not all places listed for trip planning will accept the paper pass, so families should call ahead when unsure.
For hiking families, the pass can be especially useful at fee-charging national parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, wildlife refuges, national forests, and BLM sites. That said, don’t assume. Look at the park’s official “Fees & Passes” page before you roll out.
What should you bring when using the pass?
Bring the pass and a basic day-hike kit. The pass gets you through the gate; it does not pack your water.
- Printed Every Kid Outdoors pass or valid digital pass
- Photo ID for an adult, in case the site asks questions
- Reservation confirmation if the park requires timed entry, camping, or permits
- Water for every person
- Snacks or lunch
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Layers for wind, rain, or cold
- Map downloaded for offline use, plus a paper backup when possible
- First-aid kit
The official trip-planning page also reminds families that some sites do not have cell service. That’s normal public-land travel. Download maps before you leave home, screenshot reservations, and write down emergency numbers.
How can families get the most out of the pass?
Use it early, then use it again. The biggest mistake is saving the pass for one giant summer trip and missing nearby public lands all year.
Start close to home. Try a national monument, battlefield, lakeshore, seashore, wildlife refuge, forest trailhead, or recreation area within a short drive. Then build toward the bigger-ticket parks when school breaks line up.
Make the fourth grader part of the planning. Let them pick one trail, one animal to look for, or one ranger program. A free pass feels different when the kid is not just tagging along—they’re the reason the whole crew got in.
Related reading
- National Park Pass Changes for 2026
- Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road: Opening and Access
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: Price and Coverage
- Acadia National Park Pass and Vehicle Reservations
FAQ
Is the 4th grade national park pass really free?
Yes. As of November 2026, the Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass is free for eligible U.S. fourth graders. It covers entrance or standard amenity day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites, but not extras like camping, parking, boats, or special tours.
When does the Every Kid Outdoors pass expire?
The current 2026–2027 pass expires August 31, 2027. The program follows the fourth-grade school year, running through the following summer.
Does the fourth grader have to be present?
Yes. The fourth grader must be present for the pass to be used. The pass is non-transferable, so parents, siblings, relatives, or friends cannot use it without the pass holder.
Can I show the pass on my phone?
Not if you are using the paper pass as a screenshot or electronic copy. As of November 2026, the official rules say electronic versions of the paper pass are not accepted, though families can work with a grown-up to get a digital pass through Recreation.gov.
Does the pass cover state parks?
No, not by default. The federal rules say the pass does not cover local, city, or state parks and recreation areas unless those sites specifically say they accept it.
What if we lose the pass?
You can get a new one. As of November 2026, the official rules say that if the pass is lost, the student can visit the website and sign up again.