In addition to the free National Park Admission Days scattered throughout the year, did you know that 4th graders can get a free entrance pass worth $80 as well? Even better, these freebie passes work for the entire family!
Simply sign up here and then use your pass at any national park this summer. This pass will grant free entrance up to three adults and to all children under 16, as long as you're all traveling in the same car with your 4th grader. According to the fine print rules, the current season passes expire on August 31, 2026.
You'll need to print your pass and bring it in the car when you visit a park. Electronic copies aren't accepted and each pass has a unique code, which means you can't share it. When arriving at the park, either show the pass to a ranger or leave it on the dashboard of your car while you're out exploring the amazing scenery.
Don't forget you can also request free national park trip planning kits for select parks around the country.
Here are the official rules, as listed on the pass:
- The pass is for U.S. fourth-grade (or home-school equivalent) students.
- The pass is for the 2025 to 2026 school year. It expires August 31, 2026.
- Students can't transfer the pass to anyone else.
- We can't accept electronic versions of this paper for access or to exchange for a pass.
- No refunds are given for previously purchased passes, or if you forget your pass when you visit.
- If you lose your pass, get a new one by visiting the website and signing up again.
- Educators can get one paper pass for each of their fourth-grade students.
- This program only provides passes for fourth graders.
And here are how the passes work, as listed on the pass.
- Show your pass to a ranger when you enter. If there is no ranger, leave it on the dashboard of your car.
- If you visit a site that charges entrance fees per person— The pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for free.
- If your group visits a site that charges vehicle entrance fees – The pass admits all children under 16 and all adults in up to one passenger vehicle. Commercial vehicles can't use a pass to get in.
- If you arrive at a site on bicycle— The pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults on bicycles.
- The pass doesn't cover things like parking fees, camping, boats, and special tours. Also, some sites are managed by private operators. They may not honor the pass. Check with the site ahead of time to find out.
- The pass doesn't cover fees for local, city, or state parks and recreation areas unless they say that they accept this pass.
- Paper passes can be exchanged for plastic passes at certain sites.
