Foreign visitors set to pay steep fee hike for US national parks
The US Administration is bringing its ‘America First’ policy to national park tourism.
Foreign visitors will be liable to an additional $100 on top of the current entry fees and 11 major national parks.
These include flagship national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
The new fee policy is to ‘put American families first’ the department of the interior said.
Also, non-US residents will have to fork out more than $250 for an annual pass.
This compares to just $80 for US citizens and permanent residents.
“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,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
The increases are effective in early 2026, along with the launch of a new upgraded National Park Service online booking system.
US citizens will also get free entry to national parks during designated holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July.
The additional revenue will go towards ongoing maintenance, improved access and conservation efforts at the parks.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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