National Parks Announce ‘America-First’ Fee Surges for International Tourists, CNN Says
The American landscape is about to get a lot pricier for anyone holding a foreign passport. If you’ve been dreaming of watching Old Faithful erupt or hiking the rim of the Grand Canyon, you might want to check your budget twice. Something big is shifting in how the United States treats its natural treasures, and not everyone is happy about it.
Let’s be real, this isn’t just about a few extra dollars at the gate. We’re talking about a fundamental change in who gets to enjoy these places and at what cost. The conversation around fairness, funding, and national priorities is heating up fast.
New Fee Structure Targets International Visitors
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced that starting January 1, 2026, foreign tourists will face sharply increased fees to enter many of the country’s most popular national parks. Under the new “resident-focused fee structure,” the annual pass for non-U.S. residents will jump to $250, while American citizens will continue paying the standard $80 rate.
Higher Entrance Costs For Popular Parks
International visitors who choose not to purchase the annual pass will pay a $100-per-person surcharge in addition to standard entrance fees. The policy applies to 11 high-traffic parks including Yosemite, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and the Grand Canyon. Officials emphasized that U.S. taxpayers already fund the park system, and the new fees ensure foreign tourists contribute proportionally to maintenance and improvements.
Policy Framed As ‘America-First’ Initiative
A White House post highlighted the rationale with the message: “Americans offered affordable prices while foreigners pay much more.” The changes come amid a decline in international tourism, which some attribute to shifting U.S. tariff policies and heightened immigration enforcement. Yellowstone, for example, saw its share of international visitors fall from around 30% in 2018 to under 15% in 2024.
Budget Strains And Lost Revenue After Shutdown
The fee increases also follow the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which left the National Park Service understaffed and underfunded. The shutdown resulted in an estimated $41 million in lost revenue from uncollected entrance and recreation fees, further pressuring the agency to secure stable funding sources.
New Access Programs And Resident-Only Free Days
The Interior Department announced additional updates for 2026, including “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July weekend, and June 14, which will commemorate both Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday. Officials also revealed plans for a modernized booking system and improved access for motorcyclists, calling the upgrades the most significant revamp of park entry in decades.
Global Trend Of Charging Higher Fees To Foreigners
Higher entry fees for international visitors mirror policies already seen in countries like Egypt, Cambodia, and Thailand. While the new structure has drawn criticism from some tourism advocates, federal officials maintain that the changes will help stabilize funding while ensuring that American residents remain the priority for affordable access to national parks.
