The Trump administration says foreign tourists visiting popular US national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite will have to pay additional fees.
The Interior Department, which runs the country’s national parks, said every international visitor would have to pay $100 (£76) per person on top of existing fees to access the 11 most popular sites.
Starting in 2026, non-residents will also have to pay more than $250 for an annual pass to the parks, while U.S. citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80.
The department said the fee increase is intended to “put American families first” and reflects President Donald Trump’s goal of making parks more accessible and affordable for American citizens.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said, “These policies ensure that American 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.”
This increase will take effect in early 2026, along with the introduction of an enhanced online booking system and improved access for motorcyclists to the parks.
In its announcement, the department also mentioned eight resident-only, “patriotic duty-free” days for 2026, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
The fee increase follows an executive order signed by Trump in July to increase entrance fees to national parks for foreign visitors. The White House said at the time that the additional revenue would fund conservation and maintenance at the sites — while the Trump administration plans to make deep cuts to the Park Service budget.
US national parks have seen record numbers of tourists in recent years, with more than 331 million visitors in 2024 – an increase of at least 6 million from the previous year.
The country’s most visited parks include the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
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