Interior Announces Digital Park Passes and Non-Resident Fee Increases

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on Tuesday a series of updates to the National Park Service's America the Beautiful pass program, including the introduction of fully digital passes and a new fee structure that increases costs for international visitors starting January 1, 2026. The changes, which affect access to the country's 63 national parks and more than 400 sites, aim to modernize entry processes while directing additional revenue toward park maintenance amid ongoing operational challenges.

Under the revised system, annual passes will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents. Non-residents without an annual pass will face an additional $100 per person fee, on top of standard entry fees, at 11 of the most visited parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The annual pass, which previously covered one motorcycle, will now accommodate two. Officials noted that non-residents purchasing the higher-priced pass will avoid the $100 surcharge at these sites.

The digital passes, available through Recreation.gov accounts, mobile apps, or digital...