The Fourth Grade Pass: Your Ticket to a Year of National Park Adventures
Updated: Sep 5
Parents, pay attention. If you’ve got a fourth grader at home, now is your opportunity to take advantage of one of the coolest deals in travel: The Every Kid Outdoors Pass, which is often referred to as the “fourth grade pass,” gives fourth graders AND their families access to hundreds of federal recreation sites for an entire year. It is one of the best-kept secrets in the country for families who love to travel, hike, learn, and explore together.
The program was designed specifically for U.S. fourth grade students. That includes students who are home-schooled and those who participate in an equivalent fourth-grade program. The goal is simple: Introduce children to the country’s public lands and help them develop a lifelong connection with nature, history, and the outdoors.
So, Just What Is the Fourth Grade Pass?
The Every Kid Outdoors Pass is a free pass that provides access to 2,000-plus participating locations during a child’s fourth -grade year. Although it is sometimes referred to as a “national parks pass,” it is even broader than that. It can be used at participating sites managed by several federal agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The pass is valid from September 1 through August 31 of the year your child is in fourth grade. That means families have an entire year to plan adventures rather than being limited to the traditional school calendar.
Who Can Get One?
The pass is available to fourth grade students in the United States, including equivalent programs. Why fourth graders? That’s because children around ages 9 to 11 are at an age when they are developing an understanding of the world around them and are particularly receptive to learning about nature, history, and new ideas.
The best part for parents? You’re not sending your kid out into the wild all by herself. The pass is designed to encourage family adventures.
At sites that charge an entrance fee per vehicle, the pass can cover everyone in one passenger vehicle. At sites that charge per person, the pass generally admits the fourth grader, children under 16, and up to three accompanying adults. Bicycle visitors can also bring up to three accompanying adults on bicycles.
How Do You Get the Pass?
Getting the pass is easy and free.
Fourth graders can visit the official Every Kid Outdoors website and complete a short adventure activity. After completing it, students can print their personalized paper pass or voucher. The website describes the activity as an adventure diary, making the process fun for kids rather than simply filling out a form. It literally takes two minutes Note: Use the URL https://www.everykidoutdoors.gov/pass.htm; the main landing page has been down for months at the time of publication.
Families should print the paper pass and bring it with them when visiting participating sites. A simple electronic copy or photo of the paper pass is not accepted for the paper-pass program. Don’t try to use a screenshot on your phone. You may also try getting a digital pass via Recreation.gov.
Some locations can exchange the paper pass for a more durable plastic pass, which makes a fun souvenir from the year of adventures.
What Does the Pass Cover?
The pass generally covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites. This can mean substantial savings for families visiting several parks or public lands during the year.
Imagine using the pass for a weekend at a national park, a wildlife refuge visit during spring migration, a summer road trip through several national monuments, or a fall hike through a national forest. Instead of paying a separate entrance fee at every participating location, your fourth grader can help open the door to a whole year of exploration.
There are, nevertheless, some expenses that are not covered: Camping, parking in some locations, special tours, boat fees, and other additional charges may still apply. State and local parks generally don’t accept the pass. Some privately operated facilities within federal sites may not accept it either. Make sure to check with the destination before visiting.
Make the Most of Your Fourth Grade Year
The biggest mistake families can make is getting the pass and then forgetting about it.
Instead, make it a family challenge. Pick several parks or public lands to visit throughout the year. Keep a travel journal. Let your fourth grader choose some of the destinations. Look for Junior Ranger programs, ranger talks, wildlife viewing opportunities, historic sites, and kid-friendly trails.
You don't have to plan an elaborate cross-country road trip, either. The Every Kid Outdoors program notes that families throughout the country can find participating public lands and waters within a reasonable drive of home.
So, what are you waiting for?
It’s time to start exploring!
