All U.S. 4th graders can receive a FREE annual National Parks pass…an $80 value! We did it, and it was super easy. And we’ve used it, and it was seamless! The program is called Every Kid in a Park. The pass is valid from September 1st of 4th grade year through August 31st of the following summer. YAY!

• Go to www.everykidinapark.gov
• Click on “Get Your Pass”
• Complete an online game
• Download and print a voucher (must print paper voucher, no digital images on your phone, iPad, etc.)

When you visit a national park, monument, or recreation site, the paper voucher will get the 4th grader and everyone in the vehicle in for free. If it’s a pay-by-person site, the 4th grader plus up to 3 accompanying adults will be admitted for free. The 4th grader must be present. You can also exchange the paper voucher for a more durable Interagency pass at most sites. (Or you can just keep using the paper voucher, you don’t have to exchange it and it will still work.)

We’ve used the pass twice so far, at Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. In our experience so far, park rangers display enthusiasm for the program when you present your voucher upon entry. As in they’ll say, “Oh boy, we have a fourth grader!” It’s a really great program. (We just completed visiting Utah’s “Mighty Five”—the five national parks of Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Can’t choose a favorite, so don’t ask, lol. They’re all stunning.)

Anyway, get your FREE national parks pass if you have a 4th grader, or please pass this info on to a family you know who does have a 4th grader. Thanks and enjoy.