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USA · National parks

Every Kid Outdoors: a free national parks pass for fourth graders

If you have a fourth grader in the US, your whole family can visit national parks and other federal lands without paying entrance fees for a year. Here’s how.

Photo: Johannes Andersson on Unsplash

Scout the Fox

Scout’s tip

Scout’s pass tip

The 2026–27 pass is valid from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, so the sooner you get it, the more trips you can squeeze in.

  • Complete a short activity on the website
  • Print or save the voucher
  • Swap it for a pass at a participating site if you want a durable card

Who can get it?

US fourth-grade students, including home-schooled children of fourth-grade age (usually 10), can get the pass for the school year. The programme has been reauthorised through 2031.

How to get the pass

  1. Visit everykidoutdoors.gov with your child.
  2. Complete the short educational activity.
  3. Download and print the voucher (check the site for the current digital pass option).
  4. Show it at federal recreation sites, or exchange it for a durable pass.

What it covers

It covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal sites. At per-vehicle sites, that’s the car and its passengers. At per-person sites, it covers all children under 16 plus up to three adults. It doesn’t cover camping, parking, tours or boat trips.

Make it a trip

Our guide to US national parks with kids has Junior Ranger tips and planning ideas.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2026–27 Every Kid Outdoors pass expire?
The 2026–27 pass is valid from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027.
Does the Every Kid Outdoors pass cover camping?
No. It covers entrance and standard day-use fees, not camping, parking, tours or other expanded amenity fees.

Where shall we go next?