Visit California State Parks for FREE

Park Passes Available at the Library

California is home to 280 state park units, over 340 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, and 4,500 miles of trails. These state parks are for everyone. However, many Californians do not access these majestic locations due to barriers both financial and systemic. California State Parks and the California State Library are happy to announce an opportunity to advance safe and equitable outdoor access to all.

Thanks to this partnership between California State Parks and the California State Library, the San José Public Library (SJPL) has joined other public libraries across the state to offer free State Parks vehicle-day use passes.

Check out a pass at any SJPL location with your library card.

Note: Quantities are limited. Available on a first-come first-served basis.

Q. How do I get a pass?
There are two ways to get a pass:

• In-Person: Please check in with library staff to see if there is a pass available.
• Place a Hold: We also have some reservable passes. Those requestable passes can be placed on hold.

Q. What does the pass cover?
The pass is valid for entry of one passenger vehicle with capacity of nine people or less or one highway licensed motorcycle at participating state park units.

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.

Q. Are all state parks accepting the pass?
There are over 200 California State Parks accepting the pass, but there are some that are not. Here is the link to ineligible park locations. Federal parks are not included in this program.

Q. Can I check out more than 1 pass?
No, there is a limit of one pass at a time on an account. You can check out the pass more than once.

Q. How do I return the pass?
Return the pass in its case to any SJPL location. If possible, we prefer passes to be returned to staff at the information desk during library operation hours. This can help prevent the item from being lost or damaged.

Q. How long can I keep a pass?

Passes can he checked out for a loan period of 3 week with no renewals.

This program and provided information was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library