Let the Adventures Begin! California State Parks and First Partner Invite Fourth Graders and Their Families to Experience the State’s Unmatched Beauty and History for Free

 

Through the Adventure Pass program, fourth graders in California public schools can visit 54 state parks for free. Through the Adventure Pass program, fourth graders in California public schools can visit 54 state parks for free. Watch this Parks California video to learn more.

What you need to know: Any public school fourth grader can download the California State Park Adventure Pass right now to enjoy a full year of access to 54 participating state parks for FREE!

SACRAMENTOWith the school year just getting into full swing, California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency are inviting all fourth graders in California public schoolsto download the free California State Park Adventure Pass.The pass opens the door to California’s stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, granting students and their families a year of free entry to 54 state parks full of sandy beaches and desert canyons, majestic redwood forests and eye-opening historic sites. 

Championed by the First Partner, whose California for All Kids initiatives support children’s physical, mental and social-emotional well-being, and the Newsom Administration’s Outdoors for All initiative, the California State Park Adventure Pass expands the opportunity for fourth graders and their families to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature, each other and their communities. The pass for this school year’s fourth graders is valid until Aug. 31, 2026. To date, more than 89,000 passes have opened new doors and fostered a love of state parks for California fourth graders. 

“As a mom, I know how much time in nature shapes a child’s health, happiness, and love for the outdoors,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “The California State Park Adventure Pass has opened the door for more kids and families to experience the joy and benefits of our beautiful state parks. I encourage all public school fourth graders and their families to take advantage of this opportunity, and to explore all the incredible natural treasures California has to offer!” 

“California’s state parks are true wonders of nature and human history,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “The Adventure Pass is an invitation to fourth graders and their families to discover the world of California. It’s your home.” 
  
“California’s natural treasures belong to all of us,” said California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “By opening our parks to public school fourth graders at no cost, we’re investing in healthier kids, stronger communities, and the next generation of stewards who will care for the Golden State’s wealth of natural and cultural resources.”

Obtaining a free California State Park Adventure Pass online is simple:  

  • Have a parent and/or guardian visit ReserveCalifornia.com or call (800) 444-7275 (Spanish-speaking customer service available).  
  • If they don’t already have a ReserveCalifornia account, they can set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number and email address. 
  • After completing the form, the free pass will be sent to their email right awayand can be used immediatelyto enjoy any of the 54 participating parks.

Individuals who do not have access to a smartphone, computer or printer, and/or do not have an email address, can request a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office or by calling (800) 444-7275. 

And what are some of the picturesque state parksthat fourth graders and their families can visit once they have the pass? Here’sa glimpse of the amazing places within reach of home: 

  • Primarily a wilderness park, Henry W. Coe State Park near San Jose, preserves 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Range. Experience the wildflower blooms during the spring or hike more than 250 miles of trails any time of the year. 
  • To learn more about California’s diverse history, visit Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park to explore this historic place nestled between Visalia and Bakersfield in the Central Valley. It is the only California town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. Enjoy guided tours or a self-guided cell phone audio tour. 
  • Love the beach? Silver Strand State Beach in San Diego offers swimming and surfing opportunities or a stroll along the beach with views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay.  
  • Take the family to Chino Hills State Park near the greater Los Angeles area to hike the grassy hills and valleys for some peace and solitude away from the city noise. Make sure to stop at the Discovery Centerwhich features wildlife and biological diversity exhibits. 

Find all 54 participating parks here

Why was the California State Park Adventure Pass program established?

Made possible by Assembly Bill 148, the program was signed by Governor Newsom in July 2021. The pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is a fourth grader or fourth-grade equivalent and attends a public school, from September 1 to August 31 of that year. The pass is also a good educational tool for California fourth-grade teachers, who can encourage students with the Adventure Pass to extend their classroom learning into state parks and explore these living classrooms.For full terms and conditions, click here.

The Outdoors for All initiative champions the right of all Californians to have access to recreational opportunities and enjoy the cultural, historic, and natural resources found across the state. Too many Californians cannot access either public outdoor spaces or the state’s array of museums, and cultural and historical sites. The state is prioritizing efforts to expand all Californians’ access to parks, open space, nature and cultural amenities. This priority requires focusing funding and programs to expand opportunities to enjoy these places. Doing so advances Governor Gavin Newsom’s strong personal commitment to building a “California for All.”  

Outdoors for All Pass Programs 

In addition to the California State Park Adventure Pass, all Californians can check out a California State Parks Library Pass by using their library cards to access more than 200 participating state park units. The Library Pass program is also available to tribal libraries throughout the state. 

Families receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and income-eligible Californians 62 and over can apply for the Golden Bear Pass with their smartphone or other web-based device in just minutes and have access to more than 200 California state park units. The Golden Bear Pass is also available to participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)program.

For more information on all three State Park Pass programs, please visit parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.  


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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.