About 100 of the nation's 400 parks collect an entrance fee. The costs vary by park. The Trump administration announced earlier this week that each visitor who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident will have to pay a $100 non-resident fee at 11 popular parks. An annual pass that currently costs $80 will cost non-residents $250 beginning in 2026.
The announcement follows a July executive order in which Mr. Trump directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists. At the time, Mr. Trump also ordered the Department of the Interior to give U.S. residents "preferential treatment" over foreign visitors regarding "recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules" that parks might have in place. In its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal released in May, the department estimated that such a surcharge on international visitors would generate more than $90 million annually.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on social media that the changes make sure U.S. taxpayers "continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!"
The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018.
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