Non-residents of the U.S. will be forking out a bit more to trek through our National Parks. Photo: NPS
Foreign visitors hoping to visit U.S. National Parks like Grand Canyon and Yellowstone will be on the hook for what’s being called a “hefty surcharge” of an extra $100 added to the individual park fees. Non-residents buying an annual pass will also have to pay more than triple what a resident pays. Residents are charged $80, while foreign visitors will need to fork over $250. Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise the fees on foreigners back in July, but the start date wasn’t clear at the time. Now it has been announced that the price hikes will take effect at the beginning of 2026.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a statement. “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.”
Every year, the United States’ 63 national parks attract millions of visitors, both foreign and domestic. According to the National Park Service, almost 332 million came to bask in the splendor of the wild areas in 2024 alone.
The standard pass, which is called an “America the Beautiful” pass, will also now feature a photo of Donald Trump with a stern look next to America’s first president, George Washington. Non-residents who buy the pass won’t be subject to the $100 extra charge when they enter some of the most popular parks, like Florida’s Everglades, Maine’s Acadia, and California’s Yosemite.
