Non-US Visitors to Pay $100 Entry Fee at Top National Parks

November 26, 2025

The United States will begin charging non-US residents $100 per person to enter its 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026, according to a new policy announced by the Department of the Interior.

The fee hike is part of a broader entry pricing plan unveiled on Tuesday and represents a major change to park access for international visitors. In addition to the new per-person rate, the cost of an annual pass for non-US residents will increase from $80 to $250.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated in a press release that the policy is intended to prioritize American citizens under President Donald Trump’s “America-first” platform. “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,” Burgum said.

The new fees will apply to prominent parks including the Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee and North Carolina), Zion (Utah), and the Grand Canyon (Arizona). Previously, entry to the Great Smoky Mountains was free—though there were parking charges—while Zion and the Grand Canyon had variable per-person and per-vehicle admission rates ranging from $20 to $35.

The fee changes come as the National Park Service faces possible budget reductions. Earlier this year, President Trump proposed cutting $1 billion from the agency’s budget. Although the figure was later revised, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended a $176 million reduction to the park service’s operations budget, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.

The National Park Service has already seen significant staff losses, with 4,000 positions cut since January due to budget constraints. During a 43-day government shutdown earlier this year, parks remained open with limited services, and 9,000 employees were furloughed.

The United States government is currently funded through January 30, 2026, but a full 2026 fiscal budget has yet to be approved by Congress.

Source: Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/26/us-will-charge-non-residents-100-to-visit-its-most-popular-national-parks

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