Overseas visitors to 11 of America’s most popular national parks will need to pay an extra $100 per person to get in starting Jan. 1, the Interior Department announced Tuesday in a bid to make up for lost income from the recent government shutdown, as well as severe budget cuts.
Foreigners also will be left out of eight so-called “fee-free days” that correspond to patriotic holidays — including President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4 weekend, and Veteran’s Day.
As part of the changes, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while US residents will continue to be charged $80.
The $100 surcharge will be levied in addition to the standard entry fee at Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “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.”
The money made off the new fees will help support the national parks, including with upgrading facilities for visitors and maintenance, according to the statement.
Tuesday’s announcement follows a July executive order in which President Donald Trump directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.
The US Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018.
With Post wires
