November 25, 2025 — The U.S. Interior Department announced that, beginning Jan. 1, the National Park Service will charge many international visitors $100 each to enter some of the most visited parks while restricting fee-free days to U.S. residents only. The change will affect 11 parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Under the new policy, the annual parks pass for non-U.S. residents will rise to $250; U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 for the annual pass. Currently about 100 of the more than 400 units in the national park system collect an entrance fee.
The department described the measure as an “America-first entry fee” policy, saying it responds to staffing reductions, deep budget cuts and recovery needs after damage and lost revenue during a recent government shutdown that furloughed well over half of the park service workforce. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X that the adjustments will help ensure U.S. taxpayers “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.” A White House social post promoting the changes ended with the phrase “AMERICANS FIRST.”
The move follows a July executive order from President Donald Trump directing parks to raise entry fees for foreign tourists and give U.S. residents “preferential treatment” in recreational access and permitting rules.
In its FY2026 budget proposal, the Interior Department estimated the surcharge on international visitors would generate more than $90 million a year, with revenue earmarked for facility upgrades and maintenance.
Advocates and industry groups urged clarification on how the policy will be implemented. Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, said there is “a lot to unpack” and said the group plans to press the department for details. The U.S. Travel Association previously estimated that U.S. national parks and monuments attracted more than 14 million international visitors in 2018. Yellowstone reported that nearly 15% of its visitors in 2024 were from outside the U.S., down from about 30% in 2018.
The department also said next year’s “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” will include Veterans Day, which had been one of eight fee-free days open to everyone in 2025.