How to borrow free hiking kits and free state parks passes

People hike the Guy Fleming Trail at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which is free to visit with the California State Library Parks Pass. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

By Marla Jo Fisher \| mfisher@scng.com \| Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: August 3, 2026 at 9:26 AM PDT

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Did you know you can check out a free pass to visit one or more California state parks — and also borrow a hiking backpack full of stuff like binoculars, flashlight, compass, field guides and more? Such a deal, right? These are available at more than 200 libraries around the state. All you need is a library card, which you can get for free.

The kit includes a hangtag giving you free admission to most state parks, plus the filled backpack. You can borrow it for free for one to three weeks.

The program is designed to make outdoor experiences more accessible to everyone by providing books, equipment, and safety information to beginner-level explorers. They’d also be great for when you have visitors come into town. They’re designed for ages 18 and older.

Participants include the Los Angeles, Riverside, Whittier, Orange, Buena Park, Placentia and Torrance library systems and probably one near you. Each library can set up its own system.

Note that you can’t use the pass everywhere. It’s not good at federal sites like Yosemite, nor at state parks operated by federal or local governments, or private entities. Sadly, you also can’t use it for per-person entry or tour fees like Hearst Castle.

But you can use it at many other popular places, such as Doheny, Malibu Lagoon and Carpinteria state beaches, Crystal Cove, Leo Carrillo, Mount San Jacinto, Chino Hills and Anza-Borrego state parks and lots more.  Click here to see where you can and can’t use the pass: parks.ca.gov/?page\_id=30813

Ronda Rousey and her Dogo Argentino Mochi have some fun at Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu, CA. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

You can also check out a pass without a backpack, and generally put them on hold like other items. Learn more: library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/parks-pass/

To get a library card, go into your local library with a California drivers license or ID, plus an item showing your home address, such as a utility bill or similar. At most libraries, it’s free for anyone who lives in California. (A few libraries such as Cerritos charge a fee to non-residents.)

P.S. Got a fourth-grader? Note that they can get a free parks pass good for 54 state parks all season long. Learn more: parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass

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