National Parks to raise fees by $100 for international tourists to popular U.S. parks

[wing2000]

Another "shoot ourselves in the foot" move by this administration. Imagine if you were to visit Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. "You're not Canadian, that will be an additional $100 to enter the park."

The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents.

The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department's statement.

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/26/g-s1-99442/national-parks-fees-international-tourists

 

[ThatRobGuy]

You'd mentioned Canada...

Actually, certain provincial parks already do that (at least in Ontario).

In an area up there that's about 45 minutes away from the cabin, I went to one of their provincial parks with a group of friends from up there, and while it wasn't as steep as $100 more, it certainly wasn't a "negligible" amount either.

For a "Day pass"
$15 per vehicle with Ontario plates
$45 for vehicles without Ontario plates (even other Canadians)

I had joked with them about "is it too late go back and we can all just cram in the Ontario car"

They said it was pretty common for the provincial parks in that area and explained the rationale for it.

The rationale being "We, as residents, have already paid a bunch of taxes toward the maintenance and upkeep of these parks, visitors from elsewhere haven't paid a dime towards it"

 

[wing2000]

You'd mentioned Canada...

Actually, certain provincial parks already do that (at least in Ontario).

In an area up there that's about 45 minutes away from the cabin, I went to one of their provincial parks with a group of friends from up there, and while it wasn't as steep as $100 more, it certainly wasn't a "negligible" amount either.

For a "Day pass"
$15 per vehicle with Ontario plates
$45 for vehicles without Ontario plates (even other Canadians)

I had joked with them about "is it too late go back and we can all just cram in the Ontario car"

They said it was pretty common for the provincial parks in that area and explained the rationale for it.

The rationale being "We, as residents, have already paid a bunch of taxes toward the maintenance and upkeep of these parks, visitors from elsewhere haven't paid a dime towards it"

Interesting. When I visited Banff and Jasper National Parks a few years ago, we paid the same as Canadians.
I just checked again and there is no fee break out for foreigners:

Fees

Cost of daily park admission, Parks Canada Discovery Pass, camping fees, backcountry permit, fishing permit, guided hikes and other experiences in Banff National Park.

parks.canada.ca

So I guess the Canadian provincial parks operate differently.

I would be okay with a small addtional fee for International visitors to US Parks....say $10.00. But $100.00 is way over the top...and will, I suspect, deter some International visitors.

 

[durangodawood]

Disgusting.

And theres already enough reason for foreign tourists to stay away.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Interesting. When I visited Banff and Jasper National Parks a few years ago, we paid the same as Canadians.
I just checked again and there is no fee break out for foreigners:

Fees

Cost of daily park admission, Parks Canada Discovery Pass, camping fees, backcountry permit, fishing permit, guided hikes and other experiences in Banff National Park.

parks.canada.ca

So I guess the Canadian provincial parks operate differently.

I would be okay with a small addtional fee for International visitors to US Parks....say $10.00. But $100.00 is way over the top...and will, I suspect, deter some International visitors.

I'm trying to find another article that clarifies things a little more.

They're mentioning the annual parks pass.

As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department's statement.


So is it a case where an annual pass (which I presume means you get in as many times as you want) is going from $150 to $250?

Because if that's the case, that's less sticker shock than "It's going to cost you $100 extra per each visit to the park" (meaning, if you go to the park 3 times, it costs you $300 bucks more than what it used to)

Another article I'm seeing is saying:
While the annual America the Beautiful passes will remain at $80 for Americans, nonresidents visiting national parks will face a much heftier price tag.

Starting in 2026, international visitors will be charged $250 for an America the Beautiful pass, which “covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at thousands of recreation locations, managed by six federal agencies.”


In looking at the current pricing structure for citizens, it would seem to follow the same proportional pattern of "if you plan on going more than 2-3 times in a year, it makes morse sense just to get the pass" -- as Yellowstone is a $35 entrance fee, and the annual pass is $80 for Americans.


For instance, for a Canadian snowbird who spends 4-6 months of the year down here in the States, $250 for an unlimited pass that gets them into the various parks and historic sites as many times as they want doesn't sound crazy unreasonable.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

American parks are for Americans.

 

[Hvizsgyak]

Another "shoot ourselves in the foot" move by this administration. Imagine if you were to visit Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. "You're not Canadian, that will be an additional $100 to enter the park."

The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents.

The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department's statement.

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/26/g-s1-99442/national-parks-fees-international-tourists

I think Trump is going to go down in history as the "monkey see, monkey do" president. He doesn't seem to be a very astute guy with valuable negotiation skills that bring about peaceful solutions.

 

[rambot]

As an internation traveler to the states:
1) I 100% understand that. Besides the gutting of NPS budget, gotta make money somehow. Besides the people who travel to the US to visit one of those parks LIKELY will have the cash to splash. So long as it isn't PER PERSON (that's nuts).

2) A lot of "tourist attractions" do similar things (Science museums offering "Year Passes" that are only modestly more expensive than single visit passes). I completely understand.

I wish all Americans valued their National Parks Services as much as the travellers dropping 1000s to come and visit them.

 

[wing2000]

1) I 100% understand that. Besides the gutting of NPS budget, gotta make money somehow. Besides the people who travel to the US to visit one of those parks LIKELY will have the cash to splash. So long as it isn't PER PERSON (that's nuts).

The US NP's charge by the vehicle, not the person. If $35 per vehicle isn't enough to meet their needs, then raise the entrance fees for everyone. Assessing excessive fees on visitors (who have no influence) is an underhanded way to raise money IMO. It's similar to cities which slap high hotel room and car rental taxes on visitors.

 

[rambot]

The US NP's charge by the vehicle, not the person. If $35 per vehicle isn't enough to meet their needs, then raise the entrance fees for everyone. Assessing excessive fees on visitors (who have no influence) is an underhanded way to raise money IMO. It's similar to cities which slap high hotel room and car rental taxes on visitors.

Well, given the precipitous drop in international tourists from the US, perhaps it'll be even more complicated and expensive.....

 

[wing2000]

The US NP's charge by the vehicle, not the person. If $35 per vehicle isn't enough to meet their needs, then raise the entrance fees for everyone. Assessing excessive fees on visitors (who have no influence) is an underhanded way to raise money IMO. It's similar to cities which slap high hotel room and car rental taxes on visitors.

...actually, I was wrong....it is per person:


Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.

Department of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access | U.S. Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior today announced the most significant modernization of national park access in decades, delivering new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork, expanded motorcycle access and a new resident-focused fee structure that puts American families...

www.doi.gov

 

[wing2000]

...so what happes if I take a non-resident into one of the parks in my vehicle? Are NPS staff going to check if every occupant of a vehicle is a U.S. resident? Imagine the additional time and entrance backups that will incur...

 

[wing2000]

Trump had given the order earlier this summer.

President Donald Trump agreed. On July 3, he ordered Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum to increase fees on foreign tourists seeking to enter national parks and federal recreation areas.

...and fyi


“The Economics of Awe” study released on June 26 by the Bozeman-based think tank estimates that charging foreign visitors $100 apiece to enter Yellowstone would raise about $55 million a year, while only discouraging about 57,000 of the average 660,000 internationals who come to see to America’s first national park. PERC estimates that would cover Yellowstone’s $43 million annual maintenance outlay, with enough left over to get rid of the abandoned Old Faithful wastewater system ($6 million) and rebuild the Midway Geyser Basin ($5 million).

.....

More than half that amount would be raised through the $100 foreigner surcharge in Yellowstone Park alone, PERC’s study calculates. However, a 2017 Interior proposal to increase entrance fees at 17 major national parks from $30 to $70 per vehicle was estimated to bring in just $70 million in additional revenue per year. The plan was floated by then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is now Montana’s 1st district congressman. It was withdrawn after intense public opposition.

Trump Order: Foreign Visitors Will Pay for National Park Repairs - Mountain Journal

As president rolls out new conservation policies, a recent study suggests surcharges on international tourists to Yellowstone would help allay its maintenance backlog. Would it also deter international travel?

mountainjournal.org

Eh, the public will always be opposed to higher fees. IMO, the $70 per vehicle should have been implemented in 2017.

 

[Nithavela]

As an internation traveler to the states:
1) I 100% understand that. Besides the gutting of NPS budget, gotta make money somehow. Besides the people who travel to the US to visit one of those parks LIKELY will have the cash to splash. So long as it isn't PER PERSON (that's nuts).

2) A lot of "tourist attractions" do similar things (Science museums offering "Year Passes" that are only modestly more expensive than single visit passes). I completely understand.

I wish all Americans valued their National Parks Services as much as the travellers dropping 1000s to come and visit them.

Will that money even go directly to the park?

I have my doubts.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

...so what happes if I take a non-resident into one of the parks in my vehicle? Are NPS staff going to check if every occupant of a vehicle is a U.S. resident? Imagine the additional time and entrance backups that will incur...

They'd likely never know...

Per vehicle park admission fees typically just go by the license plate