4th Grade America the Beautiful Pass: How to Get Free National Park Access for Your Family
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If you have a fourth grader, you may be sitting on one of the best family travel deals in the country.
The 4th Grade America the Beautiful Pass, officially part of the Every Kid Outdoors program, gives fourth graders and their families free access to thousands of federally managed public lands and waters across the United States.
That means this could be the perfect year to plan a family road trip, visit national parks, explore national forests, and check some incredible destinations off your family’s bucket list — without paying the usual entrance fees. In fact, this is exactly what we’ve used multiple times; like our road-trip to 6 National Parks in 6 days, our trip to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands, Zion, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and more.
As a family that loves road trips and exploring new places, this is one program I wish more parents knew about and used!
What Is the 4th Grade America the Beautiful Pass?
The Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass is a free pass for ALL U.S. fourth graders.
The pass provides free entrance or standard amenity fee access at participating federal recreation sites. It can be used at places managed by agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
And here’s the part families will love:
Your fourth grader doesn’t have to travel alone.
The pass can cover the fourth grader, children under 16 in the group, and up to three adults. At sites that charge by vehicle, it can cover everyone in one private vehicle.
Who Is Eligible for the 4th Grade Pass?
The program is available to:
- U.S. fourth-grade students
- Fourth graders in homeschool programs
- Students who are age equivalent to fourth grade
The current pass year is September 1 through August 31.
So if your child is in fourth grade, don’t wait until summer to look into this pass. You can start planning your adventures as soon as the new pass year begins.
How Do You Get the 4th Grade National Park Pass?
Getting the pass is free and surprisingly simple.
Step 1: Visit Every Kid Outdoors
Start at the official Every Kid Outdoors website.
Get the official Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass
Fourth graders can complete the online adventure activity and then print their paper pass.
Step 2: Print Your Pass
After completing the activity, you’ll be able to print your pass.
I recommend keeping a copy somewhere safe and bringing it with you when you visit a participating federal recreation site.
Step 3: Plan Your Adventure!
This is the fun part.
Once you have the pass, start looking at the national parks and other federal recreation areas you’ve always wanted to visit.
You can use the official Every Kid Outdoors trip-planning resources to start finding places to explore.
Plan a trip with Every Kid Outdoors
How Long Is the 4th Grade Pass Good For?
The Every Kid Outdoors pass is valid for the fourth-grade school year through August 31.
For the current program, that means the pass is valid from September 1 through August 31.
That gives families an entire year to take advantage of it.
And trust me — once you start looking at everything that’s included, you may realize you need to plan a LOT more road trips!
What Does the 4th Grade Pass Cover?
The pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity/day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites.
This includes many locations managed by:
- National Park Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The America the Beautiful program currently covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees at participating federal recreation sites.
What Does the 4th Grade Pass NOT Cover?
This is important because the pass doesn’t mean everything at a national park is automatically free.
The pass generally does not cover things such as:
- Camping fees
- Parking fees that are separate from an entrance fee
- Boat fees
- Special tours
- Some expanded amenities
- Fees at state or local parks
- Fees charged by some privately operated facilities
Every Kid Outdoors specifically recommends checking with the individual location if you’re unsure whether the pass is accepted.
Also remember that some national parks require separate reservations or timed-entry permits. The America the Beautiful pass doesn’t automatically replace those reservations. The National Park Service recommends checking each park’s reservation requirements before visiting.
How Many Places Can You Visit With the 4th Grade Pass?
This is where things get exciting.
The Every Kid Outdoors program says the pass is valid at more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters around the country.
So instead of thinking of this as simply a “national park pass,” think of it as a reason to explore more of the country’s public lands.
4th Grade National Park Pass FAQs
Is the 4th Grade America the Beautiful Pass really free?
Yes. The Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass is free for eligible fourth graders.
Does the 4th grade pass cover the whole family?
The pass can admit the fourth grader, children under 16 and up to three adults at participating locations. At sites that charge by vehicle, it can cover everyone in one private vehicle.
Does the pass work at every national park?
The pass works at participating federal recreation sites, including many national parks. However, families should check the individual park or site before visiting because some locations may have separate fees, reservations or privately operated facilities.
Does the pass cover camping?
No. The Every Kid Outdoors rules specifically state that camping fees are not covered.
Does the pass cover state parks?
No. The pass is for participating federal recreation sites and does not automatically cover state, county or city parks.
How long does the 4th grade pass last?
The pass is valid during the fourth-grade school year and through August 31.
Where do I get the 4th grade pass?
You can get started through the official Every Kid Outdoors website:
Don’t Let Fourth Grade Go By Without Using This Pass
If you have a fourth grader, take advantage of this!
You don’t have to plan a huge cross-country adventure. Start with a nearby national park, take a weekend road trip or choose one destination you’ve always wanted to visit.
Then keep going.
The best part isn’t just saving money on entrance fees. It’s giving your kids a reason to get outside, explore somewhere new and experience the places they’ve only seen in books or on a screen.
Fourth grade is the perfect excuse to start checking national parks off your family’s bucket list.
And if you’re a family that loves road trips like we do, this pass can turn an ordinary year into an incredible collection of family adventures.
Helpful Official Resources
Every Kid Outdoors — Official Website
Every Kid Outdoors Rules & Instructions
National Park Service — America the Beautiful Pass Information
Program details, participating locations, entrance fees and reservation requirements can change. Check the official park or federal recreation site before your trip for the most current information.
Our Favorite National Park vacations:
Moab for Arches and Canyonlands
