Using 4th grade free national pass for travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An annual pass that is good for all parks is $80.

So, the free 4th grade pass is great but just a reminder - you are saving $80.

$80 for a family?

Yes, from the link above:

"Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
One private vehicle fee
or
Four per person fees"

At most parks it's per vehicle.

Yes - for the whole year. It's a great deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I have never been to any national parks, so I thought it will cost more than $100 for a family of 4 for one entry, like theme park. I didn't know that it is charged by car. Oh well, got it.

Yellowstone is this expensive. I think they charge per person cause our family of 5 would have paid 100$ for Yellowstone if we didn’t have the pass. The other parks are cheaper but it adds up and it’s a good opportunity to visit parks anyway.

Nope, Yellowstone is $35 for a private vehicle, good for 7 days.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm#spci_D25C69AD-EAEB-3B0D-7A95DAFB11A766CD

Yes, seems I mixed up since we had the pass and didn’t pay but I was under the impression that we saved 100$. It was probably for the 3 parks combined.

[Anonymous]

The annual pass to go to any NP is only $80.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is current 3rd grader. From my understanding, he is eligible to apply for a free national park pass once this school year ended around mid-June 2025. Am I correct? It will give free national park admission access for him & family (his younger sibling & us parents). We live in montgomery county. Anyone has done it? Is that easy application? How long did it take to get the pass? Physical or digital?

We want to take advantage of free national park for summer 2026 summer planning to get it work. Anyone can share your itinerary? They have never been to any national park. Which national park worth the visit or cost the most to enter (to save most money)?

National parks are great ....but your grand savings for this audacious plan is $80 (the cost of an annual national park pass).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s valid September through August, so if your kid starts 4th grade in 2025, then it would be September 2025 to August 2026. We used it to visit Yellowstone and Grant Teton , Mt Rushmore national parks. The important thing to print out a paper copy of the pass.

That’s correct. So if you want June, it will be the June between 4th & 5th grade. You need to print off the pass (can’t just show it on your phone), and at the park they should give you a card.

Even without a big trip, if you are in the DC area, you can use it at Great Falls, Shenandoah, Prince William Forest, Fort McHenry, and Harper’s Ferry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The annual pass to go to any NP is only $80.

But the pride and joy of a 4th grader for them “taking” the family to national parks for free was unparalleled and so cute.

[Anonymous]

We used it for the two forts in Old San Juan plus El Yunque.

[Anonymous]

We used it for our kids in 4th and it's easy - go online and print and use. We did Smokies, Tetons, Yosemite - those years we made our holidays near national parks. Smart program by govt.

[Anonymous]

You'll spend way, way more in flights and lodging to make a special trip than on park admission.

Parks around here that charge admission are Shenandoah, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry. About $20/car I think. Make some use of it at your local parks - that's why the program was created!

[Anonymous]

This was our fourth grade national Park trip-

Rocky Mountain National Park- need timed entry passes
Dinosaur Monument
Arches - need timed passes now
Canyon lands
Mesa Verde- get the archeological tours (there are several options
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Great Sand Dunes- if you can go in May

Alternatively- do Olympic and Mt Rainier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll spend way, way more in flights and lodging to make a special trip than on park admission.

Parks around here that charge admission are Shenandoah, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry. About $20/car I think. Make some use of it at your local parks - that's why the program was created!

Agree. The 4th grade pass spurred us on to visit a lot of nearby places that related to what kids study in 4th and 5th grade (for us, Virginia studies and then US history). It wasn’t so much about the savings as the fun challenge to use the pass as many times as possible in a year.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, senior citizens can purchase a lifetime pass for $80. Maybe a Christmas present idea?

[Anonymous]

FWIW - Military Veterans get a free lifetime pass

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll spend way, way more in flights and lodging to make a special trip than on park admission.

Parks around here that charge admission are Shenandoah, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry. About $20/car I think. Make some use of it at your local parks - that's why the program was created!

Great Falls too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'll spend way, way more in flights and lodging to make a special trip than on park admission.

Parks around here that charge admission are Shenandoah, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry. About $20/car I think. Make some use of it at your local parks - that's why the program was created!

Great Falls too.

And Fort McHenry and Prince William Forest Park.