Daily Freebie: Free Pass to National Parks for 4th Graders
If you’ve got a 4th grader in your life who loves nature, adventure, or just skipping rocks in a stream, here’s a freebie for you! They can get a free pass to hundreds of national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and more across the United States through the Every Kid Outdoors program. This government initiative is designed to help kids (and their families!) explore public lands for free. Whether you’re planning a summer vacation, a weekend hike, or just want to spend more time outdoors as a family, this pass is your 4th grade child’s golden ticket.
What Is the Every Kid Outdoors Pass?
The Every Kid Outdoors pass is a free, year-long entry pass that gives 4th graders and their families access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. That includes national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, plus national forests, wildlife refuges, and monuments.
This free pass covers entrance fees, day-use fees, and standard amenity fees—not just for the 4th grader, but for everyone in the car or group (typically up to three adults).
The pass is valid at federal lands and waters managed by:
- The National Park Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The pass is good from September 1 through August 31 of the child’s 4th grade school year, so if you’ve got a 3rd grader right now who is going into 4th grade in September 2025, you can snag this freebie in September. Or, if you have a 4th grader right now, you can sign up now, and they can use it until August 31.
Why Is This Being Offered to 4th Graders?
Fourth grade is the perfect age for kids to start appreciating the outdoors in a deeper way. They’re old enough to remember what they experience, but still young enough to feel a sense of wonder about the natural world.
The program was created by several U.S. federal agencies as a way to:
- Encourage outdoor play and physical activity
- Build a lifelong love for nature and public lands
- Make outdoor experiences more accessible for families
How to Get the Free Pass
Getting the pass is easy and takes just a few minutes online. Follow these steps:
- Visit EveryKidOutdoors.gov. This is the official website for the program.
- Click “Get Your Pass.” Your 4th grader will be guided through a short activity. (It’s fun and educational!)
- Download and print the pass. The pass must be printed out and brought with you when visiting a park or site. It can’t be shown on a phone.
- Pack up and go! Show the printed pass at the entrance station and enjoy free access for your whole group.
About Our Daily Freebie Article Series
Who doesn’t love freebies? We’re excited to launch our Daily Freebie article series, where we’ll be bringing you a brand-new freebie alert every single day! From skincare and beauty must-haves to snacks, household essentials, and more, we’re doing the digging so you can enjoy the perks. Make sure to check back here daily so you never miss out on a great freebie—because the best things in life really are free! RetailMeNot does not facilitate the free sample. We are merely hunting and curating them.
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