International visitors to pay $100 extra at 11 of the most visited US parks
Starting January 1, international visitors will face a $100 surcharge for entry into 11 major U.S. national parks, while Americans retain fee-free access on designated days. This policy, aimed at funding park maintenance and upgrades amidst budget...
By ET Online | Updated:
Agencies
Foreign visitors will pay higher entrance fees than Americans at major US national parks starting January 1, as the National Park Service prepares to implement new charges at popular sites including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and others. The change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in July directing the agency to raise fees for international tourists and give US residents priority access in reservation systems.
The fee revision goes into effect at a time when national parks are dealing with reduced staff, budget pressure and rising visitor numbers. The Interior Department said foreign tourists without an annual pass will be charged a new $100 per-person entry fee at 11 of the most visited parks, including the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
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International visitors will also pay $250 for an annual parks pass. US citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80. The department said the higher charges are intended to support conservation work and fund backlog maintenance across the park system.
In a statement earlier, the administration said revenue from foreign tourists will help improve facilities. The fee plan aligns with Trump’s July order, which said the additional funds should support “conservation and deferred maintenance projects to improve national parks.”
The Park Service is facing growing operational strain. National parks saw record attendance of 331 million visits in 2024, an increase of 6 million from the previous year. The National Parks Conservation Association said declining staff levels at parks such as Yosemite and Big Bend in Texas have led to closures, limited programs and challenges in emergency response operations.
The Trump administration has proposed cutting more than $1 billion from the Park Service budget in fiscal 2026. That reduction would amount to more than one-third of the agency’s previous year’s funding.
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The Interior Department announced that the changes are part of new “America-first entry fee policies.” It said the updated system will ensure US residents continue to access national parks at current rates while foreign visitors contribute more to the upkeep of the sites.
As the new structure takes shape, advocacy groups are reviewing its impact. The National Parks Conservation Association earlier raised concerns about how the fee changes would be implemented, saying “There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior.”
with agency inputs
The fee revision goes into effect at a time when national parks are dealing with reduced staff, budget pressure and rising visitor numbers. The Interior Department said foreign tourists without an annual pass will be charged a new $100 per-person entry fee at 11 of the most visited parks, including the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Also Read| US announces inflation adjustment for immigration fees effective January 2026
International visitors will also pay $250 for an annual parks pass. US citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80. The department said the higher charges are intended to support conservation work and fund backlog maintenance across the park system.
In a statement earlier, the administration said revenue from foreign tourists will help improve facilities. The fee plan aligns with Trump’s July order, which said the additional funds should support “conservation and deferred maintenance projects to improve national parks.”
The Park Service is facing growing operational strain. National parks saw record attendance of 331 million visits in 2024, an increase of 6 million from the previous year. The National Parks Conservation Association said declining staff levels at parks such as Yosemite and Big Bend in Texas have led to closures, limited programs and challenges in emergency response operations.
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The Trump administration has proposed cutting more than $1 billion from the Park Service budget in fiscal 2026. That reduction would amount to more than one-third of the agency’s previous year’s funding.
Also Read| US tourism expected to score big with FIFA World Cup
The Interior Department announced that the changes are part of new “America-first entry fee policies.” It said the updated system will ensure US residents continue to access national parks at current rates while foreign visitors contribute more to the upkeep of the sites.
As the new structure takes shape, advocacy groups are reviewing its impact. The National Parks Conservation Association earlier raised concerns about how the fee changes would be implemented, saying “There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior.”
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with agency inputs
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