Fourth grade students can access 54 state parks for free during the upcoming school year. (photo courtesy of California State Parks)

California families with incoming public school fourth graders can now obtain a free pass providing access to 54 participating state parks during the 2026-27 school year.

California State Parks has renamed its California State Park Adventure Pass as the Free Fourth Grade Pass and moved the sign-up period to the beginning of August. Previously, fourth graders could not sign up until September, after classes had begun in many school districts.

The pass is now valid for up to 13 months, through Aug. 31 of the following year, allowing students to use it from the beginning of fourth grade until they enter 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,” State Parks Director Armando Quintero said. “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.”

The program began in September 2021, and more than 100,000 passes have been distributed to fourth graders and their families, according to the state.

Parents and guardians can apply for the Free Fourth Grade Pass at reservecalifornia.com. An account is required, and applicants must provide a name, address, phone number and email address.

The fourth-grade program is part of the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, which includes other programs providing free access to California state parks.

The California State Library Parks Pass allows library cardholders to check out passes from public libraries for free vehicle day-use entry at more than 200 state parks. More than 33,000 passes are available through more than 1,100 public and tribal libraries statewide.

The Golden Bear Pass provides free vehicle day-use entry at more than 200 state parks for eligible Californians, including families receiving CalWORKs, Supplemental Security Income recipients, income-eligible residents age 62 and older and participants in California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the fourth-grade program is intended to introduce children to California’s natural resources at an early 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,” Newsom said.

For information, visit parks.ca.gov/4thgrade.