The Department of the Interior has announced revisions to national park access fees, set to take effect on January 1, 2026. These changes aim to ensure that American families continue to enjoy affordable access to our nation’s natural treasures, while also ensuring the parks are well-maintained for future generations.
A key element of these updates is maintaining the current “America the Beautiful” annual pass price of $80 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. This pass grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. However, to ensure fairness, the price for international visitors will be adjusted to $250.
To further streamline access, the “America the Beautiful” passes will transition to a fully digital format. This modernization effort will provide a more convenient experience for visitors, allowing for easier purchase and entry.
To qualify for the $80 rate, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, such as a driver’s license or passport, will be required at the time of purchase and may be checked at park entrances. Current $80 annual passes purchased before December 31, 2025, will remain valid for their full 12-month term, even into 2026. This offers a grace period for Americans to secure the lower rate and avoid the residency verification process for new passes.
In addition to the adjusted annual pass fees, a new $100-per-person surcharge will be applied to non-U.S. residents visiting the most popular national parks. This surcharge is in addition to existing vehicle or per-person entry fees. Parks affected by this surcharge include:
* Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
* Zion National Park (Utah)
* Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana/Idaho)
* Yosemite National Park (California)
* Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
* Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
* Glacier National Park (Montana)
* Acadia National Park (Maine)
* Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
* Everglades National Park (Florida)
* Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
These changes will also introduce ten resident-only fee-free days each year, reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. These “patriotic” free-entry dates, including Presidents’ Day, Flag Day, Constitution Day, and the National Park Service’s birthday, allow Americans to visit any national park without paying entrance fees. International visitors will still be required to pay standard entrance fees on these days. The dates include:
* Feb. 16: President’s Day
* June 14: Flag Day
* July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
* Aug. 25: National Park Service’s 110th birthday
* Sept. 17: Constitution Day
* Oct. 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
These policy updates are aligned with the commitment to prioritizing American families and ensuring they have affordable access to our national parks. Moreover, revenue generated from the nonresident fees will be specifically allocated to addressing deferred maintenance and improving visitor services within the National Park System. The parks currently face a maintenance backlog exceeding $22 billion, so this financial boost is welcome news to those who wish to see these parks in good condition.
Additional visitor-friendly updates taking effect in 2026 include:
* Fully digital annual passes available through Recreation.gov.
* Updated pass artwork featuring iconic American landscapes.
* One annual pass now covering entry for two motorcycles (previously one motorcycle per pass).
The America the Beautiful pass provides unlimited entrance to sites managed by various federal agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Passes can be purchased via Recreation.gov or at park entrances before the end of the year. Digital options will be available starting December 1, 2025, allowing users to purchase, store, and display passes on their mobile devices with QR codes for faster entry. They can also link digital passes to physical cards if needed.
