Foreign tourists visiting iconic U.S. national parks — including Grand Canyon and Yosemite — will soon pay significantly more. The Trump administration announced a new $100 surcharge that will be added on top of existing entrance fees at 11 of the country’s most popular parks.
Beginning in 2026, non-residents will pay over $250 for an annual park pass, while U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay the standard $80.
According to the Department of the Interior, the policy is designed to “put American families first” and ensure that foreign visitors contribute their “fair share” to the maintenance and improvement of the National Park System.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement that American taxpayers already support the parks, and the new revenue stream will help enhance infrastructure and preserve natural resources for future generations.
The fee hike will coincide with the launch of an upgraded online reservation system in 2026, alongside improvements to access in several parks. The department also announced eight “patriotic” free-admission days — exclusively for U.S. citizens — including Independence Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
The policy builds on an executive order signed by Trump in July, which aims to increase entrance fees for international visitors to generate additional conservation funding — even as the administration proposed cuts to the National Park Service budget.
National parks continue to draw record numbers of visitors. In 2024, they welcomed more than 331 million people, around six million more than the year before. Top destinations include Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.