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Aug 12, 2026

Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom announce California State Parks' FREE Fourth Grade Pass Now Available for 2026/27 School Year

Simplified pass name, updated sign-up period make it easier than ever for fourth graders and their families to visit 54 state parks for free

What you need to know: California State Parks' Free Fourth Grade Pass allows for unlimited free visits to 54 participating state parks for California fourth graders and their families. Incoming students can get their  Free Fourth Grade Pass today!

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announces Free Fourth Grade Parks Pass at the California Railroad Museum

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom welcome California fourth graders back to school with unlimited free access to 54 participating state parks through the Free Fourth Grade Pass. Parents and guardians can now download this free pass for their incoming fourth grader at ReserveCalifornia.com at the same time as getting all their other school supplies.

Fostering a lifelong connection with nature and the outdoors starts at a young age. With California's Free Fourth Grade Passes for fourth graders and their families, we are giving more school kids the opportunity to experience all the natural wonders of the Golden State. With the school year kicking off, California's fourth graders will lead the charge as the next generation of environmental stewards.

Governor Gavin Newsom

As a mom, I've seen firsthand how fourth grade is a time for personal growth, endless wonder, and exploration – and there are no better places to explore than our amazing state parks. The Free Fourth Grade Pass makes it possible for all fourth grade families to go out and immerse themselves in our state's incredible beauty, culture, and history, helping create an Outdoors for All.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Just in time for the 2026-27 school year, State Parks is updating its free pass program for fourth graders with a simplified name and new sign-up period. The program focuses on children 10 years of age — the age of most fourth graders — based on research showing that children ages 9-11 are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they begin to process how the world around them works and are more inclined to engage with nature and the environment. Establishing a program at this age encourages children to develop a lifelong connection to the outdoors and their parks.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot, and State Parks Director Armando Quintero celebrate with California students

Back to school with California State Parks

Fourth graders previously could not sign up for the pass — formerly known as the California State Parks Adventure Pass — until September, after the school year had already started in many districts throughout the state. In addition to opening at the beginning of August, the pass is now valid for up to 13 months, through August 31 of the following year, so it can be used from the time students start fourth grade until they begin fifth grade

"California State Parks is committed to making it as easy as possible for fourth graders and their families to experience California's unparalleled natural and cultural treasures. The updates to our Free Fourth Grade Pass program do exactly that," said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. "As the new school year begins, I encourage every California fourth grade family to get their free pass and start exploring the nation's largest and most diverse state park system. Parks are living classrooms filled with opportunities to learn, discover, and create lasting memories together."

Outdoors for All

The free pass is a cornerstone of Outdoors for All, Governor Gavin Newsom and the First Partner's commitment to equitable park access, ensuring all Californians can enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of the outdoors. Since the free pass program was launched in September 2021, more than 100,000 passes have been distributed to fourth graders and their families.

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Along with all fourth graders in public school, California residents from all walks of life — including families receiving public assistance and anyone with a library card — can access free parks passes as part of Outdoors for All:

• California State Library Parks Pass: Allows library cardholders to check out a pass from any public library for free vehicle day-use entry at 200-plus state parks. It's just like borrowing a book, with more than 33,000 passes available at over 1,100 public and tribal libraries in the state.
• Golden Bear Pass: This free annual pass provides vehicle day-use entry at over 200 state parks for families who receive CalWORKs, individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, income-eligible Californians over age 62, and participants of California's Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. To date, Californians have received more than 147,000 Golden Bear Passes.

California's commitment

This past Earth Day, Governor Newsom and the First Partner announced plans to add three new state parks in the Central Valley — setting forth a bold vision to rapidly expand the nation's largest and most diverse state park system through State Parks Forward. State Parks Forward is the latest in a series of accomplishments under Governor Newsom to conserve public land, expand access to nature, and foster a thriving State Park System.

• Outdoors for All: Governor Newsom and the First Partner have led a historic investment of more than $1 billion to expand parks and nature access, prioritizing underserved communities. With this funding, California has partnered with local governments, community organizations, and tribes to support programs that connect people with nature, fostering a sense of belonging for all Californians outdoors, and much more. This includes the Golden Bear Pass, Free Fourth Grade Pass, and the California State Library Parks Pass.
• California's values: In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Governor Newsom and California State Parks offered a special free version of its Historian Passport — normally $50 for the year — for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks throughout the state for the rest of 2026. More than 454,000 free passes were downloaded during the promotional period.
• 30×30: The Golden State is leading the nation in protecting its natural resources. Through California's 30×30 initiative, a now codified commitment to conserve 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030, California has added over 2.5 million acres of conserved land and waters over the last three years. That's roughly the size of the Big Island in Hawaii.
• Cutting green tape: An initiative by the Newsom administration to enable important environmental restoration, conservation and stewardship to happen more quickly and cost effectively by streamlining permitting and funding for environmental projects. This has resulted in more than 500 fast-tracked projects, restoring 300,000 acres of habitat, improving 700 miles of streams, and saving $12 million in permitting costs over the last four years. The commitment is to maintain California's strong environmental standards while increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
• Climate bond: Approved by voters in 2024, the $10 billion bond funds projects that protect communities from climate change impacts – from wildfire prevention and safe drinking water to biodiversity protection and expanded access to nature. It includes nearly $700 million to expand access, and directs agencies to make funding programs more accessible to all communities and better coordinated across agencies.
• Community investments: It is not just about state parks. California provides grants to local communities to establish their own parks, build trails, acquire and restore sensitive habitat, build natural and cultural interpretive facilities, and foster outdoor experiences for children and families. Over the last eight years, thanks to the Governor and State Legislature's investments, State Parks and partner state agencies like the Wildlife Conservation Board and the state's 11 conservancies have invested over $1 billion into local community parks and open space, and public acquisitions that expand outdoor access.

California's state parks also include historic sites significant to many cultures, including indigenous tribes. While the Trump administration moves to whitewash American history at national parks — watering down or erasing the complex truth — California State Parks is doing the opposite through its Reexamining Our Past Initiative, working to tell the full story of how California came to be.

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State Parks protect more than 340 miles of coastline; the tallest, largest, and among the oldest trees in the world; deserts, lakes, rivers, and beaches; more than 5,200 miles of trails; 15,000 campsites; and historic sites from prehistoric archaeology to ghost towns to monuments.

Everyone's welcome — and we mean everyone. Visit parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsforAll

First Partner, Press releases (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/press-releases/), Recent news (https://www.gov.ca.gov/category/recent-news/)

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