Summary:
- International tourists will pay an extra $100 to enter some U.S. parks.
- The change affects 11 national parks starting Jan. 1.
- The hike aims to make parks more accessible for U.S. citizens.
INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS WILL be charged an additional $100 to enter some of the popular U.S. parks, while keeping fee-free days for American residents, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The fee change will affect 11 national parks starting Jan. 1, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
The "America-first entry fee" policy comes as national parks cope with staff cuts, budget shortfalls, damage from the recent shutdown and lost revenue from uncollected fees, AP reported.
"Beginning Jan. 1, the annual pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit," DOI said. "Non-residents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee."
The fee hike aims to "put American families first" and reflects President Donald Trump's goal to make the parks more accessible and affordable for U.S. citizens, the department said.
"These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on an X post.
"There's a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation — all of which NPCA will raise with DOI," Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, said in an email, according to AP.
The fee hike follows a July executive order signed by Trump to raise entrance fees for overseas visitors at national parks, BBC reported. The White House said the extra revenue would fund conservation and maintenance at the sites.
U.S. national parks have seen record numbers of tourists in recent years, with over 331 million visitors in 2024, an increase of at least 6 million from the year before, according to BBC. The most visited U.S. parks include the Everglades, Yosemite and the Rocky Mountains.
The U.S. Travel Association estimated that national parks and monuments had more than 14 million international visitors in 2018. In 2024, Yellowstone said nearly 15 percent of its visitors were from abroad, down from 30 percent in 2018, AP reported.
Revenue from the new fees will support national parks, including visitor facilities and maintenance, the department said. Resident-only fee-free days next year include Veterans Day, one of eight free days open to all in 2025. The Department of the Interior said those days ensure "everyone, no matter their zip code, can access and enjoy public lands."
Meanwhile, Reps. Kathy Castor and Gus Bilirakis of Florida recently introduced the VISIT USA Act to restore Brand USA funding for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, ahead of major tourism events including America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The USTA welcomed the move, saying it would help the U.S. compete globally.
