In a move aligned with the Trump administration’s “America-first” agenda, foreign tourists will soon face a significant increase in fees to visit U.S. national parks. The policy change, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, will raise the cost of an annual access pass for international visitors to $250, while U.S. citizens will continue to pay $80.

Additionally, the administration has introduced new “patriotic” days, offering free park access to Americans on special occasions, including the President’s birthday.

Announcing these changes, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated on Tuesday that President Trump’s policies prioritize American families. Burgum emphasized that these measures are designed to maintain affordable access for U.S. taxpayers, who already fund the National Park System, while ensuring that international guests contribute appropriately to the upkeep and enhancement of the parks for future generations.

Unveiling the plans, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said on Tuesday: ‘President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first.

‘These policies ensure that US 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 parks for future generations.’

Foreign visitors who do not hold the America the Beautiful annual pass will be charged $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, to access the 11 most-visited parks. 

These include the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite. 

At parks that charge vehicle admission fees, the passes will now cover the cost of up to two motorcycles, whereas only one was included before. The policy for other vehicles remains unchanged, at one per pass. 

Starting January 1, 2026, the America the Beautiful digital annual pass will cost $250 for foreigners and remain $80 for US citizens

The money generated from the new policies will be invested back into the national parks 

The price change can be tied back to an executive order to ‘increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks’ made by President Trump in July 

Revenue generated from the new policies will be invested back into the national parks, the government said. 

The money will go to visitor facility upgrades, essential maintenance and ‘improved services nationwide.’ 

Various other digital passes will also be rolled out, with benefits for military families, seniors and children. 

American residents aged 62 and older will be able to pay $20 for an annual pass, or they can shell out $80 for a pass valid through their lifetime. 

Veterans and Gold Star military family members can get lifetime passes for free. Gold Star families are the immediate relatives of a person in the military who died in service.

Current US military members and their families will be able to purchase annual passes for $20. 

All fourth-graders will have access to national parks for free through August 2026. 

The Grand Canyon is among the 11 most-visited national parks in the country

In the announcement of the new digital pass pricing, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said: ‘President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first’

All of the passes will be available for purchase on Recreation.gov starting in the new year. Holders will be able to access them through their Recreation.gov account, mobile app or mobile wallet.

The new annual passes will feature ‘modernized graphics’ that were described as ‘bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy.’

The announcement also highlighted eight days in 2026 when access to national parks will be free for all Americans. The first will be President’s Day on February 16. 

The other days in order will be Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday, Independence Day weekend, the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday and Veterans Day. 

The ability to access the passes digitally is part of requirements laid forth by Congress in the 2024 EXPLORE Act.

Less than 15 percent of entrants to Yellowstone in the summer of 2024 were from outside the US, a study found 

Entry to Yellowstone and all national parks will be free for Americans on eight days next year

Physical passes are still available for purchase and can be delivered by mail or picked up at more than 1,000 sites across the country. 

The price changes can be tied back to a July executive order to ‘increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks.’

A paper published by the Congressional Research Service in September said the revenue from charging international visitors has been difficult to estimate because the National Park Service does not systematically track data on how many there are.

A visitation study at Yellowstone National Park found that a little less than 15 percent of entrants to the park in the summer of 2024 were from outside the US, which was a significant decrease from 30 percent in 2018.