As summer winds down and a new school year begins, we want to share how you and your family can experience California’s unmatched natural and cultural treasures, without cost being a barrier. Check out these innovative and free programs to explore the nation’s largest state park system!
With over 340 miles of coastline; the tallest and oldest trees in the world; deserts, lakes, rivers, and beaches; more than 5,200 miles of trails; 15,000 campsites; and countless historic and cultural sites, California’s state parks truly offer something for everyone. Here are some options to get you started:
California State Library Parks Pass:
With just a library card, you can borrow a free vehicle day-use pass to more than 200 participating California state parks. Available at over 1,100 public library branches statewide, including tribal libraries, these passes are among the most popular items libraries lend. At some locations, library patrons can also borrow a backpack with field guides, binoculars, and other tools for exploring. Learn more here.
The California State Library Parks Pass has helped Californians overcome cost barriers. According to a 2023 survey released by California State Parks Foundation, 63% of participants previously identified cost as the main reason they hadn’t visited parks. Thanks to the pass, 90% now plan to visit parks at least seven times a year.
Funding for this popular program is secured through December 2026, thanks to strong public support and advocacy led by California State Parks Foundation. To ensure this program lasts for future generations, we will continue working toward a permanent funding source.
California State Park Adventure Pass:
Designed for fourth graders and their families, the California State Park Adventure Pass gives students free entry to 54 incredible state parks for an entire school year and the following summer. From redwood forests to desert trails, the Adventure Pass invites kids to discover the outdoors at a formative age and create memories that last a lifetime. Since launching in 2021, more than 48,000 students have taken advantage of this program, helping build the next generation of park lovers. Learn more here.
Pro tip: Incoming fourth graders should wait until September 1 to sign up so your family can enjoy a full year of free access that stretches through the school year and into the following summer vacation.
Golden Bear Pass:
The Golden Bear Pass ensures that income is never a barrier to visiting California’s state parks. This free, annual vehicle day-use pass provides entry to more than 200 parks and is available to:
- Families enrolled in CalWORKs
- Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Income-eligible Californians over age 62
- Tribal TANF participants
Since the program was revamped in 2021, more than 63,000 families have received a Golden Bear Pass. It’s simple to apply online, and it’s one of the most important tools for ensuring equitable access to nature. Learn more here:
PORTS® (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students)® Program:
The adventure doesn’t have to stop at the park entrance! PORTS® brings California state parks directly into homes and classrooms through free, live virtual field trips. Students and park lovers can interact with rangers, scientists, historians, and more while exploring topics such as ecology, climate, and California history. Learn more here.
Adventures in Learning:
This newly revamped online portal makes it easy for teachers and families to access state park education resources. From lesson plans and digital activities to guidance for booking in-person field trips, Adventures in Learning supports lifelong connections to the outdoors and makes state parks an extension of that experience. Learn more here.
Why These Programs Matter
These free programs are part of California’s broader Outdoors for All initiative, championed by the First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Governor Gavin Newsom. Through our Pathways to Parks initiative, California State Parks Foundation worked alongside these efforts to help create and defend the very passes that make access possible. From helping design the first pilot programs to mobilizing thousands of advocates when funding was at risk, we’re proud to ensure that cost is never a barrier.
This work reflects our broader commitment to advancing policies and partnerships that make outdoor equity a reality across California. We will continue to champion access by protecting these programs and pushing for bold, people-centered policies that ensure everyone belongs in nature.