August 8, 2022
2022-08-08T00:00:00
Now you can check out a California State Park Pass. Passes will be part of the library until June 30, 2024, so there's plenty of time to think about where you would like to go.
Any Branch of the Humboldt County Library.
Free, thanks to a partnership between the California State Library and the California State Parks.
Learn about the Free Library Pass to State Parks, Check it Out for Up to 2 Weeks!
Monday, August 8, 2022
Planning a family vacation, a hike with friends, or just in need of a quiet day in a wonderful place outdoors? Now you can check out a free pass for day-use at any of 200 participating California State Parks. The pass can be checked out for up to 2 weeks, and you can visit as many parks as you like. Then return the pass for others to use. Check one out like a book, any time it has 'check shelf' status. Or place a hold on a pass if it's checked out to someone else and you want to be in line for it. Find it by title in the library catalog, as 'California State Library Parks Pass'. Or, if it's a 'Lucky Day' pass, it might just be waiting for you at the library!
Check Out a California State Library Parks Pass
A Free Day-Use Pass for Your Car Full of People (or Just You)
The pass allows free day-use entry and parking for one vehicle that can hold nine people or less, or one highway-licensed motorcycle. The pass can be used at any of over 200 participating state park units. There are many nearby, including Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick's Point), Fort Humboldt State Historical Park, and Benbow Lake State Recreation Area - for just a few examples! Visit as many parks as you like, or visit the same park over and over, until it's time to return your pass to the library.
To see a map that shows nearby California State Parks, click here.
California State Library Parks Pass
You can Place a Hold on a Parks Pass (except for 'Lucky Day' passes)
Just as with a book, you can get in line for one of our normal Parks Passes by placing a hold or calling the library to place one. You will need your library card.
The 'Lucky Day' pass is a Parks Pass that you can't sign up for in advance. Each library branch has just one Lucky Day pass. If it's there when you drop by the library, check it out, because it's your lucky day!
Here's What Else You Should Know - Not Every Park is Included
The pass is for California State Parks. It does not get you in free to parks that are operated by federal or local government or private agencies. For example, Redwood National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park are all federal parks and are not included. A. W. Way County Park and Van Duzen County Park are Humboldt County parks and, like all County parks, are not included.
But, you could explore Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Sue-Meg State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Donner Memorial State Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, and many more exciting places all over California!
A few California State Park units are not included. To check a list of California State Park units that do not accept the pass click here. Scroll down past that list to see the full list of parks that ARE included.
The Pass is for Day Use Only & does Not Cover Special Fees
The free pass is for one vehicle, for day use, and is not valid for other fees. For example, if you want to camp, you would still need to pay for camping. If the place you visit also has a museum that charges a fee for each person to enter, or offers a tour for a fee, you would still have to pay for those things if you want to do them. The pass does not cover boat use, group use or group sites, special events, additional/extra vehicle fees, fees for RV sanitation disposal, and so on. To read the full terms and conditions of the pass, click here.
The Pass Cannot be Renewed
You can hold or check out one pass at a time. Enjoy your park visits, then return the pass by or before the due date so others can have a chance to use it. These passes will be in the library for 2 years, so there is plenty of time to take another trip later on.