Overseas visitors to America’s most popular national parks will face higher fees beginning January 1, 2026.

Starting January 1, 2026, U.S. residents will pay $80 for an annual pass, while nonresidents will pay $250, ensuring that American taxpayers, who already fund the National Park System, receive the greatest benefits. Nonresidents who do not possess an annual pass will incur a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most popular national parks, in addition to the regular entrance fee, per the Department of the Interior.

The parks affected by the surcharge include Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park, according to reporting by the New York Post.

The policy changes are part of a broader modernization of the National Park System, including new digital passes and updated artwork for the annual pass. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the measures are designed to prioritize access and affordability for American families while asking international visitors to contribute “their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations,” per the Department of the Interior.

 

 

Foreign tourists will also be excluded from eight patriotic “fee-free days” scheduled throughout the year, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day weekend, and Veterans Day, according to the Interior presser.

Officials said the new revenue will support maintenance and upgrades at national parks nationwide. The releases also emphasized expanded motorcycle access, allowing two motorcycles per America the Beautiful pass, and fully digital passes through Recreation.gov to streamline entry and reduce wait times.

The National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million recreation visits in 2024, a two percent increase from the previous year.

Overseas visitors historically make up a significant share of total park attendance.

A 2018 U.S. Travel Association report found more than 14 million international travelers visited national parks and monuments that year, up 7.6 percent from 2016.

Around 15 percent of  Yellowstone National Park visitors in 2024 were from outside the United States, a decline from 30 percent in 2018, according to the New York Post.