National Parks Will Hike Entry Fees By $100 Per Day For Some Visitors In 2026

Big changes are coming to America’s most iconic outdoor destinations. Starting January 1, 2026, international visitors to hot-ticket national parks like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite will be paying $100 just to step inside. Additionally, they’ll have to pay $250 for an annual pass. Meanwhile, U.S. residents keep their $80 annual pass and access to new [“resident-only” fee-free days](https://secretlosangeles.com/free-national-parks-days/) . New Fees for Some Visitors -------------------------- The move, framed by the Interior Department as an “America-first entry fee policy,” is designed to offset staff shortages, budget cuts, and lost revenue from the recent government shutdown, which saw over half of park staff furloughed nationwide. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X that the fee changes ensure U.S. taxpayers get “affordable access,” while international visitors “contribute their fair share” to park upkeep. The announcement follows a July executive order in which the U.S. President directed the national parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists. In the 2026 budget proposal, the Interior Department estimated that such a surcharge on international visitors could generate more than $90 million annually. Lower Visitor Numbers and Proposed Fee Usage -------------------------------------------- Past visitor numbers show why the parks might be feeling the pinch. Back in 2018, the U.S. Travel Association reported that more than 14 million international travelers visited national parks and monuments. By 2024, Yellowstone’s international crowd had dropped to about 15% of visitors, which was also down from 30% six years earlier. The Interior Department claims that the revenue from the new fees is earmarked for park upkeep, including facility upgrades and ongoing maintenance. Resident-Only Fee-Free Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next year, “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” will include Veterans Day. This is a shift from 2025, when eight free days were open to everyone regardless of nationality. The Department of the Interior explained that the change is meant to ensure that “everyone, no matter their zip code, can access and enjoy the benefits of green spaces and our public lands.” In response to the news, National Parks Conservation Association spokesperson Kati Schmidt said, “There’s a lot to unpack here—many questions on how this will actually work.” Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/national-parks-increased-entry-fees-in-2026/