The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that, beginning on January 1, 2026, international tourists will have to pay $100 each to enter 11 of the country's most popular national parks—plus existing entry fees.
The department has called the controversial move a reflection of Trump's "commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable, and more efficient for the American people."
But critics have called it gatekeeping to deter foreigners from visiting the U.S. amidst the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts. Many worry that it'll also have an adverse impact on efficiency for already overworked national park rangers.
National parks typically cost about $35 per vehicle or $80 for an annual pass. But, in the new year, fees for foreigners will add up. Non-residents will have to pay $250 for an annual national park pass or a $100 per-person fee, in addition to the standard entrance fee.
While many of the country's national parks are free to enter, the 11 national parks that require an entrance fee—and that are affected by the increased foreigner fees—include:
Acadia National Park, MaineBryce Canyon National Park, UtahEverglades National Park, FloridaGlacier National Park, MontanaGrand Canyon National Park, ArizonaGrand Teton National Park, WyomingRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoSequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, CaliforniaYellowstone National Park, WyomingYosemite National Park, CaliforniaZion National Park, Utah"These policies ensure that U.S. 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," Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated in the department's press release, adding that the decision intends to put "American families first."
How might the new non-resident fee impact international tourism?
Not everyone agrees with the move to impose increased fees on foreign visitors.
"If the administration wants to support the National Park System, we urge them to help ensure our national parks are fully funded and fully staffed,” Coalition to Protect National Parks Executive Director Emily Thompson told KQED. "That's the answer rather than focusing on complicated directives that will only increase the workload for park staff already overstretched to keep everything running."
John DeGrazio, the owner of Yosemite tour provider YExplore, also told KQED that the "terrible, short-sighted idea" will "damage local businesses in and around the national parks." He also worries that the rules are "a stripping away of freedoms," and he fears that the scheme "could be a gateway" to "position ICE agents at the entrance of national parks."
Already, international tourism in the U.S. is dropping. According to a study from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which looked into the economic impact of tourism in 184 countries, the U.S. was the only country to see international visitor spending decline this year. The U.S. is facing up to a $29 billion shortfall, according to Tourism Economics estimates, which is largely linked to "sentiment headwinds" amid Trump's tariffs, travel bans, and immigration policies.
"International tourism is a major driver of the U.S. economy, but it has taken a huge hit due to the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff and immigration policies," Jackie Ostfeld, director of the Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign, told CN Traveler, adding that national parks brought in an estimated $29 billion in visitor spending in 2024. "At a time when many visitors already wonder if they are welcome in the U.S., increasing national park entrance fees sends another message that they should stay home, further damaging nearby economies."
The bottom line
According to a 2024 study by the National Travel and Tourism Office, visiting U.S. parks and monuments is a key leisure activity for international travelers.
Some people are planning on purchasing park passes before the year's end to avoid the new fees, at least for 2026. While it's still unclear whether or not the loophole will be a winning one for international tourists, a Reddit thread of non-residents is growing as they grab park passes that state they should be valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
When planning a visit to a national park, it's also important to check if a reservation is required. Many U.S. national parks use a timed-entry system to manage vehicle traffic and mitigate crowds in an effort to protect the parks and their real residents (flora and fauna). Some use tour reservations to manage access to specific sites, as well.
Visitors can make reservations through Recreation.gov on a rolling basis. It's recommended to make reservations in advance.
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