Changes to National Park Access Fees Announced

The U.S. Interior Department revealed significant updates to national park access fees this Tuesday, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The popular “America the Beautiful” annual pass will remain at $80 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but international visitors will see an increase to $250.

In an effort to modernize access, the department is transitioning to fully digital passes for the America the Beautiful program.

When purchasing these passes, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency—like a driver’s license or passport—will be necessary. This verification may also occur at park entrances to qualify for the $80 price.

Notably, those who have already purchased the $80 annual pass before the end of this year can continue using it throughout its full twelve-month term, even if that extends into 2026. This gives U.S. residents a last chance to secure the lower price without needing to provide residency verification for future purchases.

The Trump administration is labeling this as the “most significant modernization of national park access in decades.” Furthermore, non-U.S. tourists will incur a new $100 surcharge per person—on top of existing fees—at the nation’s most popular national parks.

High-Traffic Parks

Additionally, 2026 will feature ten days where entry is free for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. These special days, which include Presidents’ Day and Flag Day, allow Americans to visit national parks without charge, while international visitors will still pay standard fees on those days.

• Feb. 16: President’s Day
• June 14: Flag Day and Trump’s birthday
• July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
• Aug. 25: 110th birthday of the National Park Service
• Sept. 17: Constitution Day
• Oct. 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday

These adjustments form part of Trump’s “commitment to enhancing access, affordability, and efficiency for Americans.” They are also in response to Executive Order 14314, aimed at improving national parks.

“President Trump’s leadership remains focused on American families,” stated Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “These new policies ensure U.S. taxpayers—who support the National Park System—can continue enjoying affordable access while international visitors contribute appropriately to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

Extra funds gathered from the new fees for nonresidents are planned for addressing the $22 billion maintenance backlog plaguing the National Park System.

Other visitor-friendly updates coming in 2026 include:

• Complete digitization of annual passes via Recreation.gov
• New pass designs showcasing iconic American landscapes
• One annual pass now covers entry for two motorcycles (up from one)
• Ten fee-free days specifically set for U.S. residents, featuring patriotic dates. International visitors will still pay standard fees on these days.

The America the Beautiful pass allows unlimited entry to over 2,000 federal recreation sites managed by various agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.

Purchases can be made at Recreational.gov or park entrances before the year concludes, with digital options launching on December 1, 2025. These digital passes can be purchased, stored, and displayed on mobile devices using QR codes for easier entry, and they can be linked to physical cards if necessary.