You don't need one. Kentucky state parks don't charge day-use entry, so there's no pass to borrow — just go. Verified against parks.ky.gov, checked 2026-09-04.
| Program | Not needed — free entry |
|---|---|
| What it covers | State parks charge no general admission fee — no pass needed. |
| How to borrow | — |
| Day-use cost otherwise | Free general park entry; select museums/tours/forts within parks charge $5-$18. |
| Source | parks.ky.gov · checked 2026-09-04 |
Some forts, tours, and museums located within Kentucky state parks charge their own separate small admission fee (roughly $5-$18 for adults).
Kentucky is one of 10 states where the question is moot — parks are free to enter, which beats any pass program. Crossing a border? Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina work the same way.
Free day-use entry means the gate: walking in, picnicking, trails and swim areas where they exist. It does not make the paid extras free — camping, cabins, shelters and boat launches are booked and paid separately, and specialty sites can carry their own fees (free general park entry; select museums/tours/forts within parks charge $5-$18.). The practical upshot for Kentucky residents: a spontaneous day hike costs nothing and needs no planning, which beats even the best borrow-a-pass program.
For comparison, and for Kentucky residents crossing state lines: the 20 statewide programs all follow the same shape — the parks agency or state library seeds day-use passes into public-library circulation, a resident checks one out like a book for one to three weeks, and the pass covers gate entry (never camping). California, Colorado and New York are the reference implementations.
There's no program because none is needed: Kentucky doesn't charge day-use entry at state parks.
Free general park entry; select museums/tours/forts within parks charge $5-$18..