California fourth graders and their families can now get a free pass that provides unlimited access to 54 participating state parks throughout the 2026-27 school year.
California State Parks announced the updated Free Fourth Grade Pass program on August 12th, giving incoming fourth graders an opportunity to obtain their passes before the new school year gets underway. Parents and guardians can apply through ReserveCalifornia.com..
Free Access to 54 California State Parks
The Free Fourth Grade Pass allows California fourth graders attending public schools and their families to visit 54 participating state parks without paying the applicable vehicle day-use fee.
The program has also been redesigned to make it easier for families to use. Previously known as the California State Park Adventure Pass, the program did not open for applications until September. The updated program allows incoming fourth graders to sign up beginning in August.
The pass is valid for up to 13 months and remains active through August 31st of the following year. That means students who receive a pass now can use it throughout their fourth-grade year and into the summer before entering fifth grade. California State Parks said more than 100,000 fourth-grade passes have been distributed since the program launched in September of 2021.
State Parks Become Outdoor Classrooms
California officials promote the program as a way to connect classroom learning with experiences in nature. Fourth grade is a period when children begin developing a stronger understanding of how the world around them works. State Parks said the participating parks can complement fourth-grade curriculum while giving students opportunities to explore California’s natural and cultural resources.
Research indicates that access to parks and green spaces can support children’s physical well-being, social-emotional development and academic outcomes. Time outdoors can also help reduce stress and increase enthusiasm for school. Governor Gavin Newsom described the program as part of the state’s effort to encourage children to develop lifelong connections with nature.
How to Get the Free Fourth Grade Pass
Parents or guardians can apply for the Free Fourth Grade Pass through ReserveCalifornia.com. An account is required, and applicants must provide a name, address, phone number and email address. The fourth-grade pass is part of California’s broader Outdoors for All initiative, which also includes programs providing free or discounted access to state parks for other residents.
The California State Library Parks Pass allows library cardholders to borrow a pass for free vehicle day-use entry at more than 200 state parks. The Golden Bear Pass provides free annual vehicle day-use access to more than 200 state parks for qualifying Californians.