Parks Pass

Logo - California Library Park Pass Logo with palm trees, bear, and book
In partnership with California State Parks and the California State Library, free State Parks vehicle-day use passes are available for circulation to help Californians access beautiful parks, lakes, beaches, and monuments in the State Parks system free.
Reserve your pass for pick up here

FAQ

  • One pass per customer at a time
  • Passes circulate for 21 days and are renewable if no other customers are waiting
  • See local parks here
  • Is the pass valid at all 279 state parks?
  • No. The Library Parks Pass is valid for vehicle day use at 200+ participating state park units of the California State Park System operated by State Parks. It is not valid at units operated by federal and local government, private agencies or concessionaires, state vehicular recreation areas, parks not open to the public, for per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), or at parks that do not require a day-use pass. Also, the pass is not valid for 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 for supplemental fees. See a list of ineligible parks and full terms and conditions. Please note that many parks offer free entrance to patrons who visit on foot rather than by vehicle, and that vehicle-day use fees vary.

  • Does the pass cover camping fees?
  • No. The pass entitles the user to a free vehicle day use entry for one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle at 200+ participating state park units.
  • Also, the pass is not valid for per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), boat use, group use or sites, special events, additional/extra vehicle fees, sanitation disposal use or for supplemental fees. A list of ineligible park units and full terms and conditions is available at CheckOutCAStateParks.com.

  • Can more than one car or a bus use the pass?
  • No. Below you will find some details on the pass:
    • Valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle at participating state park units.
    • Valid any day of the week, including holidays, if space is available. Pass does not guarantee parking space.
    • Pass does not provide access to State Vehicular Recreation Areas (off-highway vehicles parks).
    • Not valid for per-person entry or tour fees (such as Hearst Simeon State Historical Monument, Railroad Museum, etc.), camping, boat use fees, group use or sites, special events, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, swimming pool fees, sanitation disposal use, or for supplemental fees.
    • A list of ineligible park units and full terms and conditions is available at CheckOutCAStateParks.com or on our map of eligible parks and all library branches in California.
    • Valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle at participating state park units.

  • Can the pass be used for national parks or city parks?
  • No, the pass is only valid within the 200+ participating state park units.

  • How many public libraries in the state?
  • Passes were sent to 1,184 public libraries in the state and all of them will receive a Library pass through this program.

  • What happens if I lose or my pass is stolen?
  • Please contact your library and let them know your pass was lost or stolen.

  • How are these passes funded?
  • The 2021/22 State Budget included initiatives to advance equitable access to state parks and open spaces for all Californians. A $9.1 million one-time General Fund investment was included in the budget to launch a state parks pilot to expand parks pass distribution, especially for youth in disadvantaged communities. The pilot includes a “California State Park Adventure” program that provides free day use passes for fourth graders and their families, a California State Library Pass, and the revamped Golden Bear Pass Program with CDSS. Under the library pass program, scheduled to launch in April, State Parks will be providing physical passes to every public library in the state for checkout by library patrons.

  • What are the goals of the California State Library Parks Passes?
  • Advance safe and equitable access to state parks and open spaces for All Californians who have a library card at any public library statewide. By removing the economic barrier of vehicle day-use fees and connecting communities with their libraries, the benefits of parks will be expanded. Programming that complement the passes should also meet goals of health, natural resource stewardship, and historical and cultural connections through an equity lens.
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