As part of President Obama’s commitment to protect the nation’s unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them, the Every Kid in a Park initiative allows fourth graders to go to www.everykidinapark.gov and obtain a pass for free entry for them and their families to more than 2,000 federally managed lands and waters nationwide for an entire year starting September 1, 2015.

The Every Kid in a Park pass admits the fourth grader and any accompanying passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to three accompanying adults at sites that charge per person.

For those of you without fourth graders, you can still save big when you visit a National Park on fee-free days.

Plan out a family trip to a national park near you using the website’s trip planner.  Then find a free or cheap campsite, and you’ll have all the makings of inexpensive vacation memories.

Note: In case you are wondering, the above photo is of two of my kids in Badlands National Park in South Dakota.  The Black Hills area is near quite a few National Parks, and makes a great family vacation destination. I’m just sad this program wasn’t available when my son was a Fourth Grader!