Interior Dept. Raises Fees for Non-U.S. Park Visitors

The Department of the Interior announced on Tuesday that non-U.S. residents will face significantly higher entry fees at some of America's most popular national parks starting January 1, 2026, as part of a policy aimed at prioritizing access for American taxpayers while directing additional revenue toward park maintenance.

Under the new structure, non-U.S. residents without an annual pass will pay $100 per person on top of standard entry fees at 11 heavily visited parks, including Yellowstone in Wyoming, Yosemite in California, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Zion in Utah, and the Great Smoky Mountains spanning Tennessee and North Carolina. The annual America the Beautiful pass, which grants unlimited access to all national parks and other federal recreation sites, will cost non-U.S. residents $250, more than tripling the current $80 price. U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80 for the annual pass, with no changes to per-vehicle or per-person day-use fees at individual parks.

The changes stem from a July executive order by President Donald Trump directing the Interior Department to adjust fees for international visitors to generate funds for conservation...