Do you have a kid currently in the 4th grade? Did you know they can get a free National Park pass that is good nationwide even at premier National Parks?
But it’s not only for national parks. The Every Kid in a Park program is an interagency effort among the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The pass will allow free access to more than 2000 federally managed lands and waters across this country.
My own family took advantage of this program last year on a trip to Glacier National Park, stopping at several other federally managed parks along the way. Our 4th grader was quite proud to be able to get us in for free.
How to get the Every Kid in a Park pass.
If your child is currently in 4th grade, they can apply on the website (with your help) for this special permit that is good until August 31, 2018. In most cases, the free pass will grant access to the whole family at federally managed parks across the country.
You will need a printer as your child is given a printable version of the pass. Parks will not accept the pass by simply showing it on your phone. It MUST be printed. That printed pass can then be used as your free park entry permit at any of the participating parks. In many cases, upon presentation of the printed pass, you will be given a sturdier, plastic version to use moving forward.
Details:
- The pass is for current 4th-grade students only and is valid until August 31, 2018.
- The pass is non-transferable.
- The 4th grader must be present. (They do check!)
- You must present the printed version, an electronic version will not be accepted.
- The pass only covers entrance fees.
- The pass is only valid for federally managed parks, not state and local parks.
- Assuming the program remains in effect, this year’s 3rd graders will be eligible next year.
So if you have kids around this age, be sure to take advantage of this program and visit a few national parks near you!
Don’t have kids? You can still get in free!
Each year the National Park Service sets aside several “free” entrance days. Read more about free National Park entry days here.
