Hey Parents of Fourth Graders – Your Ticket to the Great Outdoors Is Here!
Calling all parents of fourth graders! Ready to trade screen time for green time? We’ve got awesome news. The Every Kid Outdoors pass gives you free access to national parks and other federal lands. Yep, free. From Yellowstone’s geysers to the Grand Canyon’s epic views, your next adventure starts now.
What Is the Every Kid Outdoors Pass?
This program lets 4th-grade students and their families explore over 2,000 public lands across the U.S. for free!
All you need to do is visit everykidoutdoors.gov, answer a few quick questions, and print your pass.
It’s good for the entire school year and the following summer, until August 31, 2025.
The Every Kid Outdoors pass is accepted at national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife refuges managed by:
- National Park Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Check here to see where you can use your pass.
Who Gets In Free?
- (the 4th grader)
- Up to three adults
- All kids in your group under 16
That’s right — the whole family can come along for the ride.
Why Do 4th Graders Get the Every Kid Outdoors Pass?
Studies show that kids who spend time in nature grow up healthier, happier, and more connected to the world.
Fourth grade is the perfect age — they’re old enough to remember it forever and curious enough to explore everything.
Fun National Park Facts!
Want to impress friends on the hike? Here are some cool tidbits:
Yellowstone is America’s first national park, established in 1872. It’s still one of the most visited.
Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is mostly water — many visitors explore it by canoe or kayak!
Saguaro National Park protects the country’s largest cacti. Some stand over 40 feet tall!
National parks are home to over 400 threatened or endangered species.
The National Park System covers 85 million acres of land across all 50 states.
In 2023, national parks welcomed over 325 million visitors — that’s almost the population of the U.S.!
2025 Free National Park Days
Don’t have a 4th grader? No problem. Everyone gets in free on these special days in 2025:
- January 9 – National Day of Mourning for President Carter
- January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 19 – First Day of National Park Week
- June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4 – Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary
- September 27 – National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – Veterans Day
Note: Some parks may still require timed-entry reservations or charge for special tours. Check in advance!
Pro Tips for Your Park Visit
Bring binoculars — you never know what you’ll spot!
Take photos, but remember to enjoy the moment too.
Pack water, sunscreen, and snacks — nature makes you hungry.
Wear comfy shoes that protect your feet. Trails are more fun when your feet aren’t hurting.
Ask a ranger about the Junior Ranger program — more free fun! See which parks have the Junior Ranger program.
When You Have an Every Kid Outdoors Pass, The Adventure Starts With You!
The best part? This is your country. These wild places belong to you, and they’re waiting. So grown-ups grab the family, pack your curiosity, and head outside. The trail is calling, and thanks to the Every Kid Outdoors pass, it’s free. If your child isn’t old enough, keep this information and mark your calendar to sign up when the time is right.
Let’s go exploring!
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Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is a breathtaking landscape filled with colorful badlands, ancient fossils, and stunning petrified wood. This unique park showcases remnants of a prehistoric forest, now turned to stone over millions of years. Visitors can explore scenic trails, marvel at the Painted Desert’s vibrant hues, and discover ancient petroglyphs left by Indigenous cultures. Whether hiking, sightseeing, or learning about its rich history, the Petrified Forest offers an unforgettable glimpse into the past.
Is the Painted Desert a National Park?
The Painted Desert in northern Arizona is a mesmerizing landscape of vibrant badlands stretching across the Colorado Plateau. Its striking reds, purples, and oranges come from layered sedimentary rock, shaped by millions of years of erosion. Located partly within Petrified Forest National Park, this otherworldly terrain offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and ancient petroglyph sites. Visitors can explore overlooks like Tawa Point and historic landmarks like the Painted Desert Inn, immersing themselves in the region’s rich geological and cultural history. Whether admiring fossilized wood or capturing the ever-changing colors at sunset, the Painted Desert is a must-see wonder of the Southwest.
