Topline
The Department of the Interior on Tuesday announced that foreign tourists will need to pay $100 more per person to access the most popular national parks across the country, in a move the administration said was an “America-first” initiative that will allow U.S. residents to “continue to enjoy affordable access.”
Foreign visitors will need to pay $170 more to buy an annual pass to visit U.S. national parks and those without such a pass will face a $100 surcharge per person on top of standard entry fees.
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Key Facts
Starting January 1, 2026, foreign visitors will need to pay $250 to purchase an annual pass to the parks, while the price for U.S. residents remains unchanged at $80, the Interior Department said.
Foreign tourists without an annual pass will need to pay a $100 surcharge per person, in addition to the standard fee, to enter the 11 most visited national parks in the country.
Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Everglades and Yosemite are among the list of parks where the additional $100 fee will be charged.
Additionally, entrance fee-free days will only be available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
The statement lists 10 “resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026,” including the July 4 weekend, Memorial Day, “Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday” among others.
What Else Do We Know About The Additional Fee?
The Interior Department said it was implementing “America-first entry fee policies” as part of the Trump administration’s “commitment to enhancing access for American residents.” The statement added that: “U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks.” The agency said the revenue generated from the increased fees will be “invested directly back into America’s national parks, supporting upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide.”
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2025/11/26/trump-administration-hikes-national-park-fees-for-foreign-visitors-annual-passes-to-cost-170-more/
