New Fees for International Visitors to U.S. National Parks
Starting January 1, international travelers hoping to visit 11 of the most visited national parks in the United States will face an extra charge of $100 per person. This decision, announced by the Interior Department, aims to compensate for revenue losses linked to the recent government shutdown and substantial budget cuts.
Additionally, foreign visitors will no longer be able to take advantage of eight “fee-free days” that align with significant patriotic holidays, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th, among others.
With these changes, the cost of an annual park pass for international guests will rise to $250, while American residents will continue to pay $80.
The parks affected by this fee hike include well-known destinations like Acadia, Bryce Canyon, the Everglades, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone, among others.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated, “President Trump’s leadership has always put American families first. These policies will ensure that American 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 national parks for future generations.”
The collected fees are intended to enhance the national parks, including upgrades to visitor facilities.
This announcement follows an executive order from President Trump in July that mandated national parks to increase admission costs for foreign tourists.
The U.S. Travel Association reported that over 14 million international tourists visited national parks and monuments in 2018. However, estimates for 2024 suggest that only about 15% of visitors to Yellowstone will be international, a drop from 30% just six years prior.
The National Park Service operates on a relatively small budget compared to other federal departments. The Trump administration has proposed a budget of $2.1 billion for the National Park Service for the current fiscal year, a notable decrease from the $3.3 billion allocated for the previous fiscal year.
Moreover, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed on July 4, revoked an additional $267 million that was intended for park enhancements. A report released in July by the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) indicated that since President Trump’s administration began, nearly a quarter of full-time NPS employees—over 4,000—have exited the agency.
NPCA Chairman and CEO Theresa Pierno expressed concern about the system, noting the detrimental impact of staff reductions and the challenge of maintaining park services. “For every dollar invested in a national park, $15 goes back into the economy,” she emphasized, highlighting the interconnectedness of park tourism and local economies.
