At some libraries. Youth Explorer Passes (ICfL/IDPR); individual-library "Park Pass Packs" runs in parts of Idaho — call your branch before you drive. Verified against libraries.idaho.gov, checked 2026-09-04.
| Program | Youth Explorer Passes (ICfL/IDPR); individual-library "Park Pass Packs" |
|---|---|
| What it covers | Youth Explorer Pass waives the entry fee for one vehicle for one day at any Idaho state park, but it's distributed only to children (birth-18) through participating libraries' summer reading programs (a child must be present) — it's a giveaway/prize, not a general circulating pass. Separately, some individual libraries (e.g., Lewiston City Library) run their own general checkout "Park Pass Packs" open to any patron. |
| How to borrow | Youth Explorer Pass: libraries order them via the ICfL Marketplace and hand them out during summer reading sign-up/events. Local packs: check out directly from a participating library (e.g., ~1-week loan at Lewiston, bundled with field glasses in a backpack). |
| Day-use cost otherwise | Day-use entry typically $5-$7/vehicle; Idaho State Parks Passport $10/year for Idaho-registered vehicles. |
| Source | libraries.idaho.gov · checked 2026-09-04 |
Not a universal, statewide adult/general-public program — coverage depends entirely on whether an individual library chose to participate and in what form. The separate Idaho State Parks Passport ($10/vehicle/year for Idaho-plated vehicles) is a purchasable unlimited day-use pass, unrelated to libraries.
Because Youth Explorer Passes (ICfL/IDPR); individual-library "Park Pass Packs" runs through participating libraries rather than every Idaho branch, the first move is a call to your own library — if they hold passes, they check out like books, usually one per household with holds allowed. The borrowed pass covers youth Explorer Pass waives the entry fee for one vehicle for one day at any Idaho state park, but it's distributed only to children (birth-18) through participating libraries' summer reading programs (a child must be present) — it's a giveaway/prize, not a general circulating pass. Separately, some individual libraries (e.g., Lewiston City Library) run their own general checkout "Park Pass Packs" open to any patron.. Keep in mind the pass covers entry only; camping, cabins and boat launches carry separate fees.
Day-use entry in Idaho runs about $5 per visit, so a family that day-trips five times over a season keeps roughly $25 by borrowing the pass instead of paying at the gate — and a twice-a-month hiking habit is $120 a year back in the budget. The pass costs exactly what the library card does: nothing.
Idaho is one of 8 states in this situation. Traveling? Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland work the same way.
At participating libraries — Youth Explorer Passes (ICfL/IDPR); individual-library "Park Pass Packs" doesn't cover every system. Youth Explorer Pass: libraries order them via the ICfL Marketplace and hand them out during summer reading sign-up/events. Local packs: check out directly from a participating library (e.g., ~1-week loan at Lewiston, bundled with field glasses in a backpack).
Day-use entry typically $5-$7/vehicle; Idaho State Parks Passport $10/year for Idaho-registered vehicles.. Each borrowed-pass trip keeps that in your pocket.
No. What you borrow is a day-use entry pass; camping, cabins and boat launches always carry their own reservations and fees.