Starting January 1, 2026, visiting one of America’s most popular national parks may be more expensive than expected. The latest addition to the Trump administration’s “Make America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks” executive order requires non-residents to pay $250 for an annual pass — more than triple the previous $80 fee. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the standard one-time admission fee of $15-$35, but will now pay an additional $100 surcharge. While U.S. citizens are exempt from these higher national park fees, those who are unable to present the required government-issued ID upon arrival at 11 specific parks will be considered foreign visitors and charged accordingly. Affected parks include Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
The policy claims to increase affordability for American citizens while raising funds for conservation projects and necessary park maintenance. Supporters of the new system believe it will help preserve the beauty of the national parks for future generations, while critics worry it could lead to a sharp decline in U.S. tourism. The move may be a response to similar pricing structures already in place in parts of Europe, where non-EU visitors pay higher entry fees at certain famous landmarks.
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Why U.S. Citizens May Be Charged Nonresident Fees
Cars waiting to enter Zion National Park – Kellyvandellen/Getty Images
New identification rules mean you’ll need to show a government-issued photo ID when entering some of America’s most beautiful national parks. Accepted documents include a U.S. passport, U.S. state or territory driver’s license, state-issued identification card, or permanent resident card. It is unclear whether provisions will be made for U.S. citizens traveling without the required identification. This is particularly concerning for truck drivers and road trippers, dual citizens, Americans living abroad, or tourists on group tours, who may risk being charged non-resident admission fees if they cannot verify their identity locally.
While many U.S. citizens support the move, others are concerned about issues such as privacy, freedoms and surveillance, and question whether the increased fees will lead to fewer international visitors, leading to an overall decline in inbound tourism. Others are concerned that queues may be longer because of the time it takes to verify identity. With the park already short-staffed following last year’s layoffs, this could put additional pressure on remaining employees. While some national parks are free to visit, you can visit the rest by purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass online or at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites. The pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas in the United States and covers the pass owner and the person accompanying them in their vehicle. They are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, and valid photo ID must be presented at each visit.
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Read the original article on Discovery.
