From January 1, 2026, foreign tourists visiting national parks in the United States will have to pay a much higher entry fee compared to American citizens, as per reports.
The US Department of the Interior announced on November 25 that nonresidents will have to pay USD 250 for an annual parks pass, more than three times the USD 80 rate charged to American citizens and permanent residents.
In addition, international visitors will need to pay an extra USD 100 at 11 of the busiest parks, including the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Trump administration has described the new pricing system as part of its “America First” approach, saying the goal is to keep access affordable for US taxpayers while asking foreign visitors to contribute more towards park maintenance and improvements.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the policy reflects President Trump’s focus on giving priority to American families. He explained that American citizens already support the parks through taxes, so the higher fees for international visitors would help fund upgrades and long-term improvements.
Under the new rules, free-admission days on holidays such as Presidents’ Day and Constitution Day will be available only to US residents. Money raised from the increased charges will go towards facility repairs, conservation projects and digital services like mobile passes and better support for motorcycle access.
The changes come at a time when the National Park System is experiencing record crowds. According to reports, the parks received 331.9 million visits in 2024, the highest number ever recorded.
Around 28 parks saw their busiest year, and 38 reported above-average attendance throughout the year. Some locations, such as the Old Rag Mountain trail in Shenandoah National Park, have already introduced reservation systems to manage heavy footfall.
