Walnut Creek families with incoming fourth graders have a free pass to 54 state parks this school year. Mount Diablo State Park is not one of them.

Sign-ups for California's Free Fourth Grade Pass have jumped 46% since the state renamed the program and moved the download window from September to August, California State Parks announced. The change means students can use the pass from the first day of school rather than waiting weeks into the year.

The list of 54 participating parks does not include Mount Diablo. Bay Area parks on the list include Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas, Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, Benicia Capitol State Historic Park and Henry W. Coe State Park near San Jose.

Walnut Creek families who want free entry to Mount Diablo can use the separate California State Library Parks Pass, which covers more than 200 state parks. That pass can be checked out from any Contra Costa County public library with a library card, much like borrowing a book.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the revamped program on Aug. 12 at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The pass was formerly called the California State Park Adventure Pass. More than 140,000 passes have been distributed since the program launched in September 2021.

"Making this pass easier to find and use means more fourth graders are getting outside, discovering their state, and making memories with their families," Newsom said in a statement.

The pass covers free vehicle day-use entry for the fourth grader, up to three adults, along with any accompanying children, and any friends riding in the same car. It is valid for up to 13 months, from August through Aug. 31 of the following year. Parents and guardians can download it at ReserveCalifornia.com after creating an account. The only information required is a name, address, phone number and email. California State Parks recommends printing the pass before arriving at a park.

The program is funded by Proposition 98, so only California public school students qualify. Homeschooled students are not eligible. The federal Every Kid Outdoors program offers a similar free pass at national parks. Details are available at parks.ca.gov/4thGrade.