National Parks Impose $100 Surcharge on International Visitors Starting 2026

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The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on November 25, 2025, that international tourists will face a $100 per-person surcharge to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, effective January 1, 2026. This measure, described as “America-first entry fee policies,” excludes nonresidents from seven fee-free days reserved for U.S. residents, including federal holidays like Veterans Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The annual national parks pass for nonresidents rises to $250 from $80, while U.S. residents maintain the $80 price and gain access to additional no-cost entry periods. These changes follow a July 2025 executive order directing fee increases for foreign visitors amid declining international tourism.

The surcharge applies atop standard entrance fees at parks such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain, and Acadia, which collectively drew over 50 million visitors in 2024. Only about 100 of the 433 national park sites charge entry fees, with the selected 11 accounting for roughly 40% of total visitation. International tourists, numbering around 15 million annually pre-pandemic, contributed $2.6 billion in 2024 spending but have dropped 20% since 2019 due to stricter visa policies and global perceptions of U.S. hospitality. The National Park Service, facing a 25% staff reduction and $150 million in lost fee revenue from the October 2025 government shutdown, projects the surcharges to generate $300 million yearly for maintenance and operations.

U.S. residents benefit from expanded access, with fee-free days increasing to seven in 2026 from four in 2025, plus the National Park Service’s August 25 birthday. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated on X that the policy ensures “U.S. taxpayers who support the park service continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.” A White House X post concluded the announcement with “AMERICANS FIRST.” Standard vehicle fees at affected parks range from $35 to $70 for seven days, unchanged for residents.

The policy aligns with practices in countries like Egypt and Thailand, where nonresidents pay higher fees for heritage sites. Critics, including the National Parks Conservation Association, question implementation details, such as verification at unmanned entrances during staffing shortages. Kati Schmidt, NPCA spokesperson, noted in an email that “there’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior.” The service has struggled with understaffing, leaving facilities like restrooms uncleaned and trails unmaintained.

International tourism to U.S. parks supports 350,000 jobs and $40 billion in economic output annually, per 2024 Park Service data. The fee hike risks further declines, with Canadian visitors—comprising 30% of foreign parkgoers—already down 15% year-over-year. Affected parks include Arches, Glacier, and Great Smoky Mountains, where surcharges will fund deferred repairs estimated at $2 billion systemwide. Nonresidents opting for the $250 pass gain unlimited access to all fee-charging sites, but single-park entries without it trigger the $100 add-on.

This revenue strategy addresses a $500 million budget shortfall from congressional cuts since 2025. The Park Service collected $500 million in fees in 2024, with 70% reinvested onsite. International visitors, often traveling in groups, previously favored the $80 pass for multi-park itineraries. Under the new structure, a family of four visiting three parks could face $1,200 in surcharges plus base fees, compared to $80 previously. Enforcement relies on license plate readers and passport checks at staffed gates, though 40% of entries occur via remote access points.

The announcement coincides with redesigned annual passes featuring historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington, alongside Donald Trump. Park officials anticipate minimal short-term disruption but monitor booking trends via recreation.gov. Global tourism bodies, including the World Travel & Tourism Council, warn that such policies could deter 10% of international arrivals, equating to $4 billion in lost spending. U.S. parks remain open year-round, with reservations required for timed entries at high-demand sites like Yosemite’s Valley Floor from April to October.