A grove of ancient redwood trees in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
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Greg Rosalsky
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NPR
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Topline:
If you're in the middle of making summer plans consider visiting a California state park - for free. Through the California State Library Parks Pass program, each of the state’s libraries — of which there are over 1,180 — are offering cardholders a limited number of passes to most state parks.
What the pass gets you: If you’re a library cardholder, each pass gives you free day-entry to a California state park near you for one passenger vehicle (with up to nine people in it) — or one highway-licensed motorcycle. And depending on how your local library is handling the program, which launched in 2022, you’ll be able to keep and use that pass for a certain amount of time before having to return it.
California State Park Adventure Pass: Another free option is the CA State Park Adventure Pass. If there’s a fourth grader in your household, you’re eligible. It gives one family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends who can fit in the same car free entry to 54 participating state parks. The pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is in the fourth grade, from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31.
Summer in the Bay Area is almost here. And if you’re itching to explore our state, and you have a library card, you can check out a free pass to over 200 state parks around California.
If you’re a library cardholder, each pass gives you free day-entry to a California state park near you for one passenger vehicle (with up to nine people in it) — or one highway-licensed motorcycle. And depending on how your local library is handling the program, which launched in 2022, you’ll be able to keep and use that pass for a certain amount of time before having to return it.
The pass is valid for use any day of the week, including holidays (but only if space in the park is available). Still, it’s important to note that not every state park in California will accept the California State Library Parks Pass.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation say the pass won’t be accepted “at units operated b
How do I check out the Parks Pass from my local library?
Each library may have different preferences for how you check out a pass, but your best bet is almost certainly by visiting in person.
Different public libraries have received different numbers of passes, with the minimum being three passes per library.
y federal and local government, private agencies or concessionaires.” In the Bay Area, for example, Angel Island, Pacifica State Beach and San Bruno Mountain State Park won’t accept a California State Library Parks Pass for free entry.
If you have a library card with a public library system that has multiple locations — like in San Francisco or Oakland, for example — the California State Library Parks Passes most likely will be spread out between these locations. Contact your local branch ahead of time to confirm the location of the pass.
Your library gets to decide how many days you can keep a pass, so make sure you know that return date when you check out a pass.
Your library may also allow you to place a hold on a pass, just like you would a book — this is, for example, what the San Francisco Public Library allows for cardholders. You may be able to place a hold on a pass in person at your local library, or online by logging into your library card account. Placing a hold on a pass could be a good way to plan in advance for an upcoming trip where you want to use the free pass.
That’ll really depend on your local library — because each library gets to decide how long a pass can be checked out.
Contact your local library to find out how long they’re loaning their passes for, and to make sure you return your pass in a timely manner so the next person can enjoy it.
Can I use the pass to enter multiple state parks?
Yes, you can use it to enter as many eligible state parks as you like during the loan period.
This is another reason placing a hold on a pass may be a helpful way to plan ahead for a few days of travel (or a road trip) to enable you to visit multiple state parks.
What’s the catch?
Remember that not all state parks are participating in this program, and the passes don’t cover camping fees. The Department of Parks and Recreation also says that the pass won’t cover “per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), boat use, camping, group use or sites, special events, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use or … supplemental fees.”
Also, libraries can decide on the number of days a pass can be checked out, and each library will get a minimum of just three passes to give out. So if your local library doesn’t have many passes on offer, and they allow cardholders to keep a pass for several days, you may have to wait for your turn.
Mount Diablo State Park in Alamo, with the tallest mountain in the San Francisco Bay Area, July 2016.
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Smith Collection
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Gado/Getty Images
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What if I don’t have a library card?
Getting a library card is fairly simple, and will allow you to access not only a California State Library Parks Pass, but also the full range of your local library’s books, media, records and library services like laptop and internet access.
To apply for a library card, you must:
Be a California resident.
Provide a government-issued photo ID such as your valid driver’s license, state ID, passport, consulate ID card or active military ID.
Find your local library near you. You may be able to apply for a library card in person or online — but be sure to check whether the pandemic has changed your local library’s opening times if you go in person.
Except where otherwise noted, these passes can be used at every California state park, excluding units operated by federal and local government, private agencies or concessionaires (like Angel Island in the Bay Area).
Valid for the calendar year, this pass gives free vehicle day-use access to certain California state parks (PDF) for CalWORKs recipients, SSI recipients, and people whose incomes fall under a certain threshold.
A lifetime pass for honorably discharged veterans living in California who also meet certain requirements listed here. Pass holders can use all basic facilities (day-use, camping and boating) in California state parks for free.
