"Every Kid Outdoors Program": 

Free Park Pass for 4th-Graders

Did you know that every 4th grader in the US can get a National Park Pass for their whole family? 

The "Every Kid Outdoors" program provides this for our favorite price: absolutely FREE! 

In 2023 alone, over 500,000 families harnessed the power of the Every Kid Outdoors pass, discovering wonders from Yellowstone’s erupting geysers to the awe-inspiring depths of the Grand Canyon and the ancient majesty of Yosemite’s cliffs. This free pass covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, meaning access for all and adventures galore! For families everywhere, the Every Kid Outdoors program isn’t just an invitation; it’s a golden ticket to lifelong memories, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of family fun.

Benefits of Visiting National Parks With Kids

National Parks aren’t just big, beautiful playgrounds. When you venture out as a family using the Every Kid Outdoors free park pass, here’s what your young explorers gain:

• Unforgettable Family Memories: Nothing says bonding like a chilly sunrise over the Grand Canyon or a selfie with a Sequoia!

• Real-World Learning: Ditch the textbooks. Spying a bison in Yellowstone or marveling at a towering redwood is hands-on science in action.

• Boosted Curiosity: Nature fuels imagination and critical thinking.

• Healthier Habits: More time on the trail, less time on screens.

• Growing Stewards: When kids see the grandness of our natural spaces, they learn why protecting them is important.

• Teamwork & Problem-Solving: From navigating maps to planning picnics, there are so many adventures in working together!

Every visit with the free pass is another chance for your family to learn, connect, and grow, a combo you won’t find in front of a screen. Plus, as they roam from field to forest to fossil beds, kids absorb lessons in geology, wildlife, ecology, and history. They return home not just smarter, but more inspired, appreciative, and, yes, possibly a little muddier.

Five Parks to Visit that a 4th-Grader Can Fully Experience

Based directly on personal experience, these are some national parks that your 4th-grader will love AND your family will be able to fully check off of your list with one visit:

Mammoth Cave

Home to the world’s longest surveyed cave system, Mammoth Cave offers ranger-guided tours through vast chambers, winding passages, and fascinating rock formations. It’s a great adventure for 4th-graders. It's exciting and educational without the mess of some wetter or wilder caves. With a steady temperature of 54°F year-round (and no rain underground), it’s a comfortable visit anytime, though tour reservations are required. The city of Bowling Green is just 30 minutes away and features the Corvette Museum with factory tours, and a kid-friendly visitor center perfect for young car enthusiasts.

Congaree

Congaree National Park protects one of the last and largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the U.S., with a scenic boardwalk trail winding past marshes, streams, and lakes. It’s a perfect adventure with a 4th-grader as it is compact, flat, and easy to explore in an afternoon. Spring offers the best weather, with mild temperatures, low flood risk, and fewer bugs. Just two hours from Charleston, you can pair your visit with exploring that city’s great southern food, the historic USS Yorktown, and Fort Sumter, both fun stops for any young history buff.

Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch National Park features two main attractions: the iconic 630-foot arch and the engaging museum beneath it. A tram ride to the top (tickets required, with park pass discounts) offers unforgettable views of St. Louis. Compact and easy to explore in a few hours, the park is perfect for 4th-graders, especially those who love heights and adventure. Since much of it is indoors, you can visit year-round, though it’s busiest during school breaks and holidays. Nearby, St. Louis’ famous City Museum is a must-see. It's basically a massive, hands-on playground of tunnels, slides, and caves that kids (and adults) will love.

Redwood

Redwood National and State Parks offer countless ways to experience the towering old-growth forests by car, foot, or bike. Scenic drives connect to short, easy trails (many under 2 miles) through the majestic redwoods and along the rugged Pacific coast. The sheer size of these trees captivates visitors of all ages, and even brief walks let you stand among the giants. From April through October, the weather is cool but comfortable. While a bit remote, the park is within a few hours’ drive of Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake National Parks, an opportunity for a weeklong northern California–Oregon adventure.

Hawai’i Volcanoes

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park centers around Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. As of 2025, eruptions occur nearly weekly, offering a good chance to see flowing lava. Even without an eruption, the park’s landscape tells dramatic stories of past activity. It’s a hit with kids, who can see real molten rock in action and explore a walkable lava tube formed by older flows. The park is beautiful year-round, though summer brings more heat and crowds. Nearby, the rest of the island features waterfalls, black sand beaches, and great snorkeling spots for adventurous families.

Five Parks to See with a 4th-Grader that Will Inspire a Return Visit

There are other parks that, let's face it, are a bit too big for 10-year-old legs. These are some parks with exceptional accessible activities that also feature huge wilderness areas, longer hikes, and higher levels of challenge. Each of them (based on our experience) is set up to make great memories for young nature-loving explorers, and may also inspire a return trip in a few years when your family is ready for more.

Shenandoah

Shenandoah National Park stretches 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering lush forests, abundant wildlife, and sweeping mountain views. With Skyline Drive running its full length, the park is easy to explore. Located just two hours from Washington, D.C., it's easy to pair nature and history into one trip. Spring brings wildflowers, fall offers vibrant foliage, and these mild shoulder seasons are also best for comfortable hiking. While short walks reveal plenty of vistas, Shenandoah also boasts over 100 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail, an irresistible reason to return as your kids grow into bigger adventures.

Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain National Park lies just 90 minutes from Denver and spans the Continental Divide, offering access to some of the highest peaks in the U.S. Trails lead across alpine tundra, along shimmering mountain lakes, and through aspen-filled valleys. Near Estes Park, you’ll likely spot elk, but just remember to keep a safe distance! The best time to visit is June through September, when most roads and trails are open; timed entry reservations may be required. While many families stick to scenic drives and short hikes, the park’s longer trails reward returning visitors with glacier views, remote lakes, and true Rocky Mountain solitude.

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is world-renowned for Yosemite Valley's breathtaking granite cliffs, include highlights El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, first immortalized by photographer Ansel Adams. Staying in Yosemite Valley makes exploring easy, with short, scenic walks and a few rewarding uphill trails perfect for families. Don’t miss the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias in the park’s southern section. While summer brings big crowds and higher prices, spring and fall offer milder weather and fewer visitors; timed entry may be required. Though the valley is iconic, it covers less than 2% of the park, so return for its 800 miles of trails or even the bucket-list climb up Half Dome.

Yellowstone & Grand Teton

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks sit side by side, offering an unbeatable combination of geothermal wonders and mountain majesty. In Yellowstone, bubbling geysers, colorful hot springs, and steaming vents make every stop fascinating, so plan at least 2-3 days just to take in the highlights. Just south, Grand Teton’s jagged peaks rise dramatically above alpine lakes and meadows. A boat ride across Jenny Lake followed by a short hike into Cascade Canyon gives families easy access to incredible mountain scenery. Wildlife encounters are common too: bison in Yellowstone, moose in the Tetons, and the chance of spotting bears in both. Late spring and early fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal times to visit. With Yellowstone spanning nearly 3,500 square miles, you’ll never see it all in one trip, but that’s part of the magic! The Tetons invite return visits too, whether for more lakeside hikes or the spectacular 3–5 day Teton Crest Trail, a world-class backpacking route through stunning alpine country.

Curious about any of these parks? Want help planning a family trip that’s customized to meet the interests and abilities of your family? Reach out to us at Wandersaurus Travel and we’ll start planning your adventure today!