Free Entry to 2,000+ Federal Lands for Fourth Graders: How to Get the Every Kid Outdoors Pass, Valid Through August 31
Families with a fourth grader can now claim a free pass that lasts a full year. According to the National Park Service, the Every Kid Outdoors program gives U.S. fourth graders and their families free access to more than 2,000 federal lands and waters. This school year's pass runs from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, and covers public lands including national parks, national forests and wildlife refuges.
There is no fee and no application queue. The student first completes a short educational activity on the program's bilingual official website, then downloads a paper voucher to print and carry. Families can also have a physical pass mailed to them, or get the new digital version of the pass. The student brings the voucher, and the pass is ready to use.
The pass belongs to the child, but the whole family benefits. Officials say a fourth grader can bring family and friends along free for an entire year, including a car full of passengers. Wherever a family lives in the United States, an included site is generally within a two-hour drive, so there is no need to head only for the famous national parks. Fourth graders were chosen because research shows that children ages nine to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them and are more likely to connect with nature and history.
One step comes before any trip. The program warns that not every site listed on its website accepts the paper pass. If a family is unsure, an adult should call the destination ahead to confirm before making the trip. The pass covers entry only; costs such as camping and guided tours are not included. The benefit returns every year for that year's fourth graders, so a younger sibling can claim a pass in the year they reach fourth grade.
(Source: National Park Service)
Source: National Park Service
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，美国土地管理局俄勒冈州办公室照片「Portland fourth graders get Every Kid in a Park passes」（公共领域），图中为Portland一所小学的四年级学生在校内领取该项目通行证 Image: Wikimedia Commons, Bureau of Land Management Oregon photo, "Portland fourth graders get Every Kid in a Park passes" (public domain), showing fourth graders at a Portland elementary school receiving their program passes
