The United States is set to introduce a sweeping new entry fee policy for millions of international tourists visiting its most iconic national parks, a move that has ignited both support and concern from visitors, local business owners, and park advocates nationwide. Beginning January 1, 2026, foreign travelers hoping to experience the breathtaking vistas of Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Zion, and other famed destinations will face an additional $100 charge per person—on top of the standard entrance fee—while the price of an annual parks pass for non-U.S. residents will skyrocket to $250. American citizens, meanwhile, will continue to pay $80 for the same annual pass and will benefit from exclusive access to fee-free days that were previously open to all.
This "America-first" entry fee policy, announced by the National Park Service on November 29, 2025, comes as the agency grapples with the aftermath of severe budget cuts, a significant staff reduction, and millions in lost revenue caused by the recent federal government shutdown. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the new fees will be implemented across 11 of the country's most visited parks, including Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took to social media to defend the changes, stating that the policy ensures "U.S. taxpayers who support the park service continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!" A White House post echoed this sentiment, ending with the emphatic phrase, "AMERICANS FIRST." The announcement follows a July executive order from President Donald Trump, which directed the National Park Service to increase entry fees for foreign tourists in an effort to prioritize domestic access and revenue.
While the Department of the Interior asserts that the additional funds will be used for "upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide," the new policy has been met with a flurry of mixed reactions—particularly in communities whose economies are closely tied to tourism. In Zion National Park, for example, local business owners expressed cautious optimism that the fee hike would not deter the international travelers who make up between 30% and 70% of their sales. "Most of our international guests plan their trips well in advance," one store owner noted, adding that a sudden drop in foreign visitors could have a serious impact on the local economy.
Yet, not everyone is convinced the changes are fair or effective. Some international visitors voiced frustration, calling the fee "a huge difference" and questioning whether it is reasonable for those making short trips to the U.S. One YouTube commenter argued, "Having an additional fee is reasonable, but the amount of this new fee—being eleven times more expensive for a family of four to one park—is completely unreasonable." They described the policy as a "politically driven money grab" that could backfire by discouraging international tourism and harming communities that rely on park visitors.
Online forums like Reddit have also seen spirited debate. One user wrote, "That could be a tad expensive, but on balance, I think we'd still pay. I mean, a bus ride around NYC or a cruise out to the Statue of Liberty isn't cheap either." Another expressed skepticism about whether the fee would address the issue of overcrowding in popular parks: "Some areas of some parks are also unbearably overcrowded in peak season. Will this help? Perhaps? A little? I'm not really sure."
Park advocates and conservation groups are watching closely. Kati Schmidt, spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, told the Associated Press, "There's a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior." The NPCA and other organizations have long argued for sustainable funding models that balance access, conservation, and local economic needs.
Recent years have seen a notable decline in the share of foreign visitors to national parks. According to the U.S. Travel Association, more than 14 million international tourists visited national parks and monuments in 2018. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country—a sharp drop from 30% in 2018. The Department of the Interior hopes that increased fees from remaining international visitors will help fill budget gaps and support long-overdue improvements.
The financial strain on national parks has been exacerbated by the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, which left parks like Zion scrambling to stay open. During the shutdown, Zion lost millions in revenue but managed to keep its gates open thanks to the support of local businesses and organizations such as the Zion Forever Project. The project's Director of Development, Tiffany Stouffer, told TheTravel, "We had buyers from around the nation come together and participate in live demos, a silent auction, and purchase art that helps give back to our public lands. We help with everything from Search and Rescue equipment and training, trail maintenance, education programming, and wildlife studies." Their recent art sale fundraiser brought in roughly $200,000 to aid the park's recovery.
Stouffer emphasized the importance of community support, noting, "With revenue loss due to the shutdown, we know that our parks will be asked to do more with even less. We are so grateful for the many people who work to steward our parks. Forever is in our name, and we are working with a community of supporters to ensure our public lands are forever." The Zion Forever Project continues to host fundraisers, engage donors, and collaborate with local and national businesses to protect and preserve the park for future generations.
Another notable aspect of the new policy is the introduction of "resident-only patriotic fee-free days" in 2026, including Veterans Day—one of the eight days that were previously free for everyone in 2025. The Department of the Interior says the goal is to ensure that "everyone, no matter their zip code, can access and enjoy the benefits of green spaces and our public lands." However, some critics argue that the policy runs counter to the traditional ethos of national parks as "America's best idea"—open and accessible to all, regardless of nationality.
As the January 1, 2026, implementation date approaches, the debate over the new "America-first" entry fees is likely to intensify. With park budgets under strain and local economies in flux, the coming year will reveal whether this bold policy shift can deliver on its promises—or whether it will leave some of America's most treasured landscapes out of reach for millions of would-be visitors from around the world.
