California State Parks Library Pass Program

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General Information:

What?

In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California State Library, State Parks is providing free vehicle day-use entry to over 200 participating state park units operated by State Parks to library-card holders. The California State Library Parks Pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle.

Who?

California public library-card holders can check out the State Library Parks Pass via their local public library. If you don’t have a library card, visit your local library to get one. The library card and park pass are free!

How?

Each library location will receive passes, including mobile libraries, for checkout by library patrons. Library patrons will be able to check out the pass for the allotted number of days allowed by the local library. Check with your library for guidelines and policies for returning your pass. Find your local public library at library.ca.gov/branches.

Where?

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 over 200 participating state park units. To view an interactive map with California’s public libraries and nearby participating state parks, click here.

The pass will not be honored at state park units operated by federal or local government and private agencies or concessionaires. 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. To see a list of parks not accepting the pass click here, and read full terms and conditions here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will passes check out from the Pleasanton Library?

The Pleasanton Library will circulate 18 passes.  One pass will be designated a Lucky Day item and will check out for 3 weeks and will not be holdable.  The other passes will also check out for 3 weeks each but will be holdable.

What is the California State Library Parks Pass and who can use it?

In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the California State Library, the California State Library Parks Pass program provides a free vehicle day use entry for one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle at over 200 participating state park units to library card holders.

California public library card holders can check out the pass at their local public library. If you don’t have a library card, you can get one for free at your local public library; find it at library.ca.gov/branches.

Is the pass valid at all 279 state parks?

No. The State Library Parks Pass is valid for vehicle day use at over 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. 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. To see a list of ineligible parks click here, and read full terms and conditions here.

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 over 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. To see a list of ineligible parks click here, and read full terms and conditions here.

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, California State Railroad Museum, etc.), camping, boat use, group use or sites, special events, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, swimming pool fees, sanitation disposal use or for supplemental fees.

To see a list of ineligible parks click here, and read full terms and conditions here.

Can the pass be used for national parks or city parks?

No, the pass is only valid for the over 200 participating state park units.

Will all the public libraries in the state have passes to check out?

Yes, passes were sent to the 1,184 public libraries in the state.

What happens if I lose the pass or the pass is stolen?

Please contact your library and let them know your pass was lost or stolen. They will let you know the replacement fee if there is one.

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 Pass program that provides free day-use passes for fourth graders and their families, a California State Library Parks Pass and the revamped Golden Bear Pass Program with the California Department of Social Services. 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 Pass program?

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 complements the passes should also meet goals of health, natural resource stewardship and historical and cultural connections through an equity lens.