US Hikes Entry Fees for Foreign Visitors at Top National Parks: What Travelers Need to Know

US National Parks to Charge $100 Entry Fee for Non-Residents in 2026

For generations, the United States’ national parks have welcomed millions from around the globe, their landscapes promising both awe and refuge. But beginning in 2026, international travelers will face a stark new reality: a $100 per person entry fee at the country’s 11 most-visited national parks. The policy, announced by the Department of the Interior in November 2025, marks the most dramatic fee increase for non-residents in recent memory.

Why the Fee Hike? Balancing Budgets and Visitor Demands

According to Al Jazeera, the change comes as the National Park Service (NPS) braces for possible budget cuts next year. The Trump administration, in a statement from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, framed the decision as a way to “put American families first.” The message is clear: US taxpayers, who already support the parks through federal funding, should enjoy affordable access, while international visitors are expected to contribute more to the system’s upkeep.

“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 fee structure also affects annual passes for non-US residents, which will jump from $80 to $250. This change is part of a broader “America-first” approach to park funding, a move that has drawn both support and criticism. Supporters argue it is a pragmatic response to fiscal pressures, while critics worry about the impact on international tourism and the parks’ global reputation.

Which Parks Are Affected?

The fee hike targets the 11 most-visited national parks in the United States, including:

• • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina)
  • Zion National Park (Utah)
  • Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

For context, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country’s most-visited in 2024, previously offered free entry to all, charging only for parking ($5 per day, $15 per week, or $40 per year). Zion National Park’s standard entry pass ranged from $20 to $35, and the Grand Canyon charged $35 per private vehicle or $20 per person. Under the new policy, non-US residents will pay a flat $100 per person—more than double or even triple previous rates at some sites.

Behind the Numbers: Budget Cuts and Operational Strain

The fee increase is not happening in a vacuum. Earlier this year, President Trump proposed a $1 billion cut to the National Park Service budget, a figure that has since been revised but remains under negotiation in Congress. The House Appropriations Committee floated a $176 million reduction in park operations funding, according to the National Parks Conservation Association, a non-partisan advocacy group.

Budget uncertainty is already having tangible effects. The National Park Service reports a loss of 4,000 staff members since January, citing budget constraints and related issues. During a recent 43-day government shutdown, most parks remained open but operated with limited services; 9,000 employees were furloughed. These realities underscore the financial pressures facing the park system and the potential consequences for visitors—both domestic and international.

Reactions: Fairness, Access, and the Future of National Parks

For many travelers, America’s national parks are iconic destinations—a bucket-list staple. The new $100 fee for non-residents has sparked a wave of reactions. Some US taxpayers see the move as long overdue, arguing that foreign visitors should contribute more directly to the preservation of these natural treasures. Others, however, worry that the fee could dampen international tourism and send the wrong message about American openness.

Conservation advocates have voiced concerns as well. They warn that higher entry fees could reduce park accessibility for people from lower-income countries, undermining the parks’ role as places of global inspiration and learning. There are also fears that shrinking federal support, coupled with increased reliance on visitor fees, could alter the mission of the National Park Service.

International travelers planning US visits in 2026 will need to factor in the increased costs—not just for entry, but for annual passes if they intend to visit multiple sites. The Department of the Interior maintains that these changes are necessary to safeguard the parks’ future. Yet, the debate is far from settled.

This fee hike reveals a complex balancing act: preserving America’s national parks for future generations while navigating fiscal realities and shifting political priorities. Whether the new policy will secure the parks’ future—or limit their global reach—remains an open question, hinging on both congressional action and public response in the years ahead.