• International tourists will pay an extra $100 to enter 11 major US national parks.
• The price for an annual pass for non-residents increases from $80 to $250.
• U.S. residents will enjoy discounted entry and exclusive fee-free days.

Starting January 1, 2026, non-residents of the United States will be required to pay an additional $100 per person to access 11 of the country’s most popular national parks, as announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Additionally, the annual pass for international visitors will increase significantly from $80 to $250, while U.S. residents will retain the lower rate for their annual passes, according to BBC, NPR, and Al Jazeera.

This fee increase is part of the Trump administration's "America-first" policy and aims to benefit U.S. taxpayers by ensuring that they continue to have affordable access to national parks while requiring international visitors to contribute more toward park maintenance. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the initiative's goal is to "[ensure] that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access," as reported by India Times and India Times.

The impact of these new fees could be significant since many national parks have relied heavily on international tourists, who made up nearly 15% of visitors at Yellowstone in 2024. With international travel already declining, there are concerns that these increases will further suppress tourism and local economies dependent on park visitors, as outlined by The Hill and ABC News.

Notably, the hike in fees is set to affect iconic parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion, among others, while U.S. residents will benefit from several designated fee-free days in 2026, sparking concern among stakeholders about the future of international tourism to U.S. parks. The National Parks Conservation Association has raised questions regarding the fairness and implementation of these increases, according to Los Angeles Times and Middle East Eye.