International tourists visiting standard nationwide parks within the US subsequent yr might be required to pay extra charges and raised charges on annual passes, the US Department of the Interior introduced Tuesday.
In a statement hailing a brand new “resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first,” the division stated as of January 1, 2026, the annual move will price non-US residents $250 to acquire, greater than triple the usual $80 which US residents will proceed to pay.
Foreign tourists who don’t buy the move pays a $100-per-person fee, along with the usual entrance fee, to enter 11 of essentially the most visited nationwide parks, together with the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Yosemite, the assertion stated. The division co-manages the America the Beautiful Pass collection and controls greater than 70 p.c of all federal public lands.
“These policies ensure that US 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,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated within the assertion.
The rationale provided behind the brand new costs was summarized in a White House social media post stating: “AMERICANS OFFERED AFFORDABLE PRICES WHILE FOREIGNERS PAY MUCH MORE.”
This introduced value hike comes amid a decline in international tourism to the US, fueled by changes to tariff insurance policies and crackdowns on immigration. Yellowstone has reported a decrease in international visitation, down from roughly 30% in 2018 to 14.8% in 2024.
The value improve additionally comes on the heels of the longest authorities shutdown in US historical past, which noticed an already-depleted National Park Service struggle to upkeep a few of nation’s parks as a result of restricted staffing and fewer sources.
According to a recent estimate by the National Parks Conservation Association, parks misplaced roughly $41 million in uncollected entrance and recreation charges throughout the federal government shutdown.
The Interior Department’s assertion additionally highlighted “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” for subsequent yr which incorporates Memorial Day, Fourth of July Independence Day weekend and June 14, “Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday.” The launch of an upgraded reserving system and higher entry for motorcyclists throughout the parks was additionally introduced, described as “the most significant modernization of national park access in decades.”
Other nations, together with Egypt, Thailand and Cambodia, additionally cost increased entry charges for international tourists to go to nationwide parks and sights.