New Entry Fees for International Tourists at U.S. National Parks

Thu Nov 27 2025 08:21:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The National Park Service is implementing a new fee structure that will affect international visitors starting January 1, 2024, charging them an additional $100 to enter some of the U.S.'s most beloved national parks.

Effective January 1, 2024, international visitors to 11 U.S. national parks will be subject to an increased entry fee of $100. This policy, termed 'America-first entry fee policies', has been introduced amid fiscal challenges following recent budget cuts and a government shutdown. U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 for annual park passes, while foreign tourists will see their pass price rising to $250. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum supports the change, emphasizing the need for foreign visitors to contribute to the upkeep of national parks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service announced on Tuesday that beginning January 1, 2024, international tourists visiting U.S. national parks will incur an additional entry fee of $100 at some of the most popular sites. This initiative is a part of what is referred to as 'America-first entry fee policies,' aimed at ensuring that U.S. taxpayers who support the park services maintain affordable access, while also pushing for foreign visitors to contribute fairly toward the maintenance and improvement of these national treasures.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, this fee adjustment will affect 11 national parks, including notable locations such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. In conjunction with these changes, the price of annual parks passes for foreign tourists will rise to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to pay $80.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the significance of this decision through a statement on the social platform X, citing the financial pressure national parks face due to budget cuts, staff reduction, and lost revenue from the recent government shutdown.

In July, President Trump had previously directed the National Park Service to revise entry fees for international visitors, leading to this latest announcement. Questions surrounding the implementation of these new policies have been raised by advocacy groups, emphasizing the importance of transparency as this system is rolled out.

As the government seeks to counter fiscal strains, the generated funds from these fees are expected to contribute directly to the maintenance and enhancement of park facilities, benefitting both tourists and the natural environments they visit.

This fee structure also introduces special 'patriotic fee-free days' reserved for U.S. residents in 2025, signifying a shift in how access to national parks will be structured in upcoming years.