New U.S. national park fee structure aims to favor American visitors and increases prices for foreign tourists, drawing mixed reactions – NaturalNews.com

• A new two-tier pricing system for U.S. national parks will begin in 2026. The policy lowers costs for American residents while significantly increasing them for international visitors.
• International tourists will be charged a new $100 surcharge per person at 11 popular parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee. The annual “America the Beautiful” pass for foreigners will also jump to $250.
• The goal is to make park access more affordable for U.S. taxpayers and generate more revenue for maintenance. Officials state that this ensures Americans who support the parks through taxes can continue to enjoy them at an affordable rate.
• American residents benefit from several perks, including a frozen $80 annual pass price, more “patriotic fee-free days” exclusively for them and a modernized digital pass system.
• The plan has received both praise and criticism. Supporters believe it is a fair way to fund much-needed park repairs, while critics worry that it will discourage international tourism and fail to provide the stable, long-term funding the park system requires.

In a significant shift for America’s most beloved natural landscapes, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced a new pricing strategy for national parks that will lower costs for American residents while substantially increasing them for international visitors.

Set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the policy has sparked a national conversation about fairness, funding and the future of the country’s public lands. The cornerstone of the new plan is a $100 per person surcharge for foreign tourists entering 11 of the most-visited national parks. This fee is in addition to the standard park entrance cost.

For international travelers who frequently visit multiple parks, the America the Beautiful annual pass will see a sharp price increase, jumping from its current price to $250 for non-residents. Conversely, the cost of this annual pass will remain a steady $80 for U.S. residents.

The announcement, made on Nov. 25, frames the change as a matter of equity.

In a news release, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the policies are designed to ensure U.S. taxpayers continue to enjoy affordable access to the parks that they support, while asking international visitors to contribute a larger share toward maintenance and improvements. The move is in line with an executive order intended to “allow more Americans to visit national parks.”

A boon for American park-goers

For American families and outdoor enthusiasts, the new structure offers several benefits. The price freeze on the $80 annual pass offers budget-friendly access to all federal recreation sites for a full year.

Furthermore, the department is expanding the number of “patriotic fee-free days” in 2026, during which entry fees will be waived exclusively for U.S. residents. These new free-entry days will align with the following patriotic holidays:

• President’s Day (Feb. 16)
• Memorial Day (May 31)
• Flag Day/President Donald Trump’s birthday (June 14)
• Independence Day weekend (July 3-5)
• 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (Aug. 25)
• Constitution Day (Sept. 17)
• Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27)
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11)

This expansion is seen as a direct effort to make the parks more accessible to the American public.

The DOI is also modernizing the pass system by introducing new digital versions for annual passholders, seniors, military members and other eligible groups. These digital passes can be stored on a smartphone for convenience. In another small but notable change, the annual pass will now cover entry for two motorcycles, instead of just one.

Positive reception from conservation advocates

The policy has been met with approval from some conservation groups, who see it as a pragmatic solution to a long-standing problem. The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a Montana-based organization that promotes market-based conservation solutions, hailed the decision as a major step forward.

PERC has historically advocated for adjusting park fees to better address the National Park Service’s massive maintenance backlog. The group estimates that the $100 surcharge for international visitors could generate an additional $55 million annually for Yellowstone National Park alone. This revenue, they argue, is urgently needed to repair deteriorating trails, failing wastewater systems and crumbling bridges across the park system.

Supporters see this as a smart pricing approach that is already common in other countries, ensuring that those who benefit from the parks help fund their upkeep.

Criticism and concerns

However, the new fee structure has not been without its critics. Some environmental and public access advocates have voiced strong opposition. The Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign has been particularly vocal, arguing that the policy is a misstep that could harm the parks in the long run.

Critics contend that sharply raising fees for international tourists will not provide the stable, comprehensive funding the park system needs. They express concern that the National Park Service has faced budget cuts and staffing challenges, and that relying on a volatile revenue stream from foreign tourists is insufficient.

Opponents of the plan worry that this approach risks turning America’s national parks into exclusive playgrounds for the wealthy, undermining their founding principle as shared common ground for all people.

This is not the first time a sharp fee increase has been proposed. According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, a similar plan from 2018 was abandoned after significant public backlash. The current proposal has reignited that debate, highlighting the ongoing tension between generating revenue and preserving universal access.

As the 2026 implementation date approaches, the conversation will undoubtedly continue. The new policy represents a bold experiment in managing America’s natural treasures, one that seeks to balance the interests of domestic visitors with the practical needs of preserving these iconic landscapes for future generations.

The nation will be watching closely to see if this new model succeeds in its dual mission of enhancing access for Americans and securing a sustainable future for its parks.

Watch this video of the amazing views at Bryce Canyon National Park and tips for RV owners.

This video is from the rvacrossamerica channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

DOI.gov

USAToday.com

Backpacker.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com