Increased US National Park fees for non-US Citizens

Honestly, many countries are increasing fees for foreigners at museums and other attractions, especially in Europe and Japan. So it’s no surprise it’s happening here. Least of the bad things going on.

I can certainly see how these exploitative surcharges will go a long way to overcoming the problem of overcrowding at these parks. Yes, I'm aware that France has added a surcharge for non EU visitors to some sites thus year. But they amount to only a few euros each. Not $100+ pp. Plus the $250pp fee in addition to the regular visa fee just to enter the country for those who dont qualify for the visa waiver.

Perhaps these outdoor lovers will turn instead to countries like New Zealand for their stunningly beautiful national parks, which are free for everyone. Or to Canada, whose equally picturesque national parks and historic sites are free from mid June til Labour Day, and are $12.25 CAD pp ( for adults) the rest of the year.

The US was one of the few countries to see a drop in international tourism last year. It will be very interesting to see how the numbers stack up this year, all things considered.

I’m not sure if this is happening at other parks but Yellowstone is also going cash-less. The NPS gate purchases, the lodging concessioner snd the General Stores concessioner will all be cashless. Not sure how this will be handled with one of the frequent power outages in this very rural park with limited infrastructure.

Just the facts, ma’am. Lip zipped as well. 🤐

Honestly, many countries are increasing fees for foreigners at museums
and other attractions, especially in Europe and Japan. So it’s no
surprise it’s happening here. Least of the bad things going on.

I am aware of that. It's the size of the PP fees that is reportedly surprising visitors and I'm unsure they were aware of the less-expensive America the Beautiful Pass for non-residents, thus the info. I am also painfully aware of the many problems in the world today: the post applies strictly to the subject of travel and as it relates to visitation to our valuable natural treasures. We've spent days on the trails where we heard more foreign languages than English!

Thanks very much for sharing this info. Based on the first link, it looks like you would not be charged the extra fee if you are a non resident but are a US citizen, is that correct?

Right, Cat. If you are a US citizen, standard fees apply. Bring your US passport, driver's license or other documentation for proof. And again, the non-resident fees only apply to the 11 parks listed and to the higher-priced America The Beautiful annual pass. That pass - $250 for non residents - is $80 for citizens.

Oh, for those currently serving in the US Military - a reason why a citizen might be living abroad - there's an annual park pass that's free and covers the serving member, spouse and dependents. This applies to U.S. active reservists as well, deployed or not.

When we did a safari in East Africa, transferring from Kenya to Tanzania, we as US citizens had to pay twice the cost for our visa. The fee for US citizens was the only country charged twice the fee of the rest of the World.

As a senior citizen, I purchased a lifetime pass for the National Parks for just a few dollars (13 years ago). Not sure what the Senior Pass costs today.

We bought our US lifetime Senior pass for $20 a few years ago. It's now $80 and still a very good deal for park lovers.

Perhaps these outdoor lovers will turn instead to countries like New
Zealand for their stunningly beautiful national parks, which are free
for everyone.

In 2024, NZ began discussing charging international visitors for admission to especially popular sites. Fees would be $20 – $40 per person per site and start with Aoraki / Mt Cook, Milford Sound, Cathedral Cove, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Looks like they may start charging in 2027?

Source: Factsheet – Access Charging
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2024-consultations/exploring-charging-for-access-to-some-public-conservation-land/

In 2025, some South Island DOC sites (Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki/Mount Cook) started charging car park fees:

• Free parking period for 20 minutes to allow for drop-offs/pick-ups or staying a short time.
• Hourly rate of $5 per hour.
• Daily rate of $20 per day at Punakaiki and Franz Josef, and $25 per day at Aoraki/Mount Cook.
• Annual permit of $60 per vehicle per site per year.

Source: Start of car park fees at South Island DOC sites
https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/start-of-car-park-fees-at-south-island-doc-sites/

The complaint in previous years was over tourism at the parks. This might help that a little with out penalizing tax payers. And if a couple hits 2 or 3 parks, its not a bad deal.

This might help that a little with out penalizing tax payers.

True that some of the parks have had over-tourism issues. At the same time, there are red flags from the gateway towns/hospitality businesses that rely on foreign tourism. One report from a Utah PBS station I read just this morning stated that Bryce NP saw its lowest attendance in 2025 since 2015 (outside of the COVID period). That decrease is largely attributed to the drop in foreign visitors who normally comprise "close to 70% of all visitation to the Bryce area" and who "typically spend about 40% more than domestic visitors.” That drop is affecting local hospitality businesses, which in turn affects local tax revenue.

That was even before the increased fees for non-US citizens. The NPS reported an overall decrease of 8.85 million recreation visits, or 2.7%, in 2025 from the record year in 2024.  It'll be interesting to see where the visitation and economic numbers fall for 2026. A plus might be that some of the lesser-visited parks, for which standard entry fees apply to both residents and non-residents, might see more activity! :O)

Anyway, just new fee info for our visiting friends from elsewhere in the world. Oh, and do be careful where you get your info as I've seen some errors where that $100 pp applies: it does NOT apply if using the non-resident ATB pass at the 11 listed parks.

"Tour operators like Intrepid Travel report that 2026 bookings for U.S. National Park tours have plummeted 42% overall, with a massive 93% drop among Canadian travelers."

The $100 surcharge seems to be effectively reducing non-American visitors. I am thankful there appears to be no 100 Euro surcharges as of yet.

Happy travels.

So a non resident family/traveling group of four can visit 3 US national parks for $20.83 per person, total? Thats not bad. A movie ticket is $15 to $20.

"For a nonresident family of four, visiting three high-traffic national parks would actually cost $250 total"

"If a family of four (all aged 16+) visits three "surcharge parks" like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon without a pass, they would pay $1,305 total ($100 surcharge per person per park + $35 entrance fees per park). "
National Park Service (.gov)

David has it right.
Mr. E also has it right as it applies to the ATB pass for 4 adults X 3 of the 11 listed parks.

For any one of the 11 parks listed, group of 4, all aged 16 or over to visit just that park with no pass:
$100 apiece plus the regular entry fee for that specific park (around $435 total/$108.75 apiece).
Regular entry is good for 7 days.
If a group stays within or goes back to that same park within the 7 days, they don't have to pay the fees again. They DO if they visit a different park. This is important when two parks, such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton, are very close together.

With the $250 ATB Pass, same park and same group of 4:
$250 total/$62.50 apiece. No additional entry fee, and the pass covers the pass holder and group at other National Parks and federal recreational areas. The more it's used, the higher the value.
The pass is valid for 12 months from purchase date.

If the park charges per vehicle, a group can be even larger under a single pass holder, and can be any assortment of adults and children.

If it's a park that charges per person, the pass covers the pass holder, up to 3 additional adults (up to age 16) in the vehicle, and any additional children.

As with any tourist pass, it's "Do the math." Clear as mud?

According to one source the average tourist spends 3.5 days in Yellowstone.

Assuming most travel as couples, Kate, tell me if I have this correct:

The Louvre costs about $80 for a typical tourist couple x 4 days of Louvre or comparable Paris attraction = $320 for the couple.

With the ATB Pass: Yellowstone costs $250 for each non-resident couple to enter Yellowstone once a day for 4 days ($62.50 per day).

OR

Without the ATB Pass: Yellowstone costs about $220 for each non-resident couple to enter every day for 4 days ($55 per day).

I still don’t see the issue? Both are cheaper than the equielent in Paris. Sounds like it will eliminate the one day drive through international tourists, but not a bad deal if you are going to spend the typical amount of time. If it causes tourism to drop off below the level that is most healthy for the park, number of tourists vs income for support of the park, then I imagine they will revise the cost. If the parks remains over-touristed I hope they raise the cost.

The Louvre costs about $80 for a typical tourist couple x 4 days of
Louvre or comparable Paris attraction = $320 for the couple.

But if they were to visit the Louvre + comparable museums, they could purchase a 4-day Paris Museum Pass for (currently) 104€ per adult, so 208€ per couple. Sure, you still have to make advance reservations for the Louvre, and could only visit it once during those 4 days but the price could work in their favor depending on entry fees at the comparable attractions +how many could comfortably be done during those 4 days.

It's what I'm getting at with info about purchasing the ATB pass versus paying individually at the listed 11 parks. Given reports from rangers at the entry points of angry visitors being hit for $100 apiece plus standard entry, I'm not sure they're aware of the pass option when it would be to their benefit, depending on their plan/# of adults in the group. Thus this post.

One adult couple with no intent to visit more than, say, the Grand Canyon South Rim for a day or two? $100 pp. non-resident fee + $35.00 entry per vehicle =$235 total. In their case, the $250 ATB pass wouldn't be beneficial. Raise the size of that group to 4 adults or 2 adults visiting multiple parks (common for visitors to Utah and Wyoming), the pass becomes the much better option. Make sense?

One tiny correction:

Without the ATB Pass: Yellowstone costs about $220 for each
non-resident couple to enter every day for 4 days ($55 per day).

It would be $235.00: $ 100 pp + $35 standard entry.

Kate, thanks for the heads up on the Paris cost. Thats why i began with, correct me if I am wrong.

I guess I am saying, while its far from perfect, it isnt the end of the world under most circumstances; but yea, it will tick off the UK guy that travels alone and only wanted to say he went to the park so only wanted to drive in one side and out the other. For the park diehards it is a pretty fair deal and will keep the numbers down so the diehards will have a better experience.

Personally? I think the fee amounts are excessive given the drop in foreign visitation to the U.S. in general, and will not make up critical revenue for the NPS lost to a reduction in park-system visitation as a whole. But I'm an "America's Best Idea" nerd (LOL, ya THINK?!) so this stuff probably matters to me more than to folks with different interests. 🥾

I am a bit of a capitalist and that would dictate that you set the price to bring in the greatest revenue ... which is what you alluded to. Tourism is down not because of the price of the park, And the reason that it is down might correct itself in 3 years. Until then you could make the park free and I doubt any more would show up. So the real question might be, under normal circumstances what is the magic price point. I don’t know. My gut says this is okay. You get three or four days in the most beautiful nature on G-d's green earth, and it costs about the same as dinner with a bottle of wine at the Olive Garden.

But there are other factors to consider beyond capitalism when dealing with something held in public trust. One factor might be, who should get the most benefit, them or us? Not sure how you calculate that. But I have read in past years on the forum where people have complained about over use of the parks. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.

But everything you have said is rational and you could be more correct than i am.

Maybe 8 years ago 4 of us (me and 3 children all over 12) visited Ft McHenry and the admission was pretty outrageous for a 3rd tier NPS property, something like $50 (price per person, no carload discount). The ranger was quick to find me the best price, something like a non-Maryland resident annual pass for one with 3 free guests, for like $35. I wouldn’t have been able to figure it out on my own. Anyway, my experience is the rangers are quick to find the best price for your situation.

Maybe 8 years ago 4 of us (me and 3 children all over 12) visited Ft
McHenry and the admission was pretty outrageous for a 3rd tier NPS
property, something like $50 (price per person, no carload discount).

Toby, the current standard entry price for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is just $15.00 per adult; no charge for minors under the age of 16. This applies to both citizens and non-residents. Benefits of the American The Beautiful resident or non-resident passes also apply.

https://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/fees.htm#spci_18CAEBC4-A1E6-BB2D-0DAC9B7E65C01DF3

8 years ago the youngest was 16 so maybe 4 adults, anyway it’s a lot for a fort. Yosemite or Grand Canyon for a family was $35 at the time.

I now have a senior pass but just a note it doesn’t cover everything all the time. For example Jamestown has a $10 state of Virginia fee, and say for cave national parks for a tour I get half off.

Hi Kate:

A question (since you seem to know so much about the National Park Passes!), just to confirm what I think after doing a bit of research:

We are planning a family trip to Grand Canyon National Park this summer. Our son's girlfriend, who is not a US citizen, will be coming too. My husband is eligible for the Senior Lifetime Pass, which we intend to purchase soon. If understand the Pass correctly, it would cover entry to the park for all of us in the vehicle.

I think that when we enter the park using his Senior Lifetime Pass, we would not be paying the additional entry fees for a Non-US Resident.

Does that seem right? If that is not correct, we will, of course, pay her additional entry fees.

Thanks for any insight!

Tina

Hi Tina:

We are planning a family trip to Grand Canyon National Park this
summer. Our son's girlfriend, who is not a US citizen, will be coming
too. My husband is eligible for the Senior Lifetime Pass, which we
intend to purchase soon. If understand the Pass correctly, it would
cover entry to the park for all of us in the vehicle.

The info for the Senior Pass states:
"For locations or areas that charge fees per vehicle, the Senior Lifetime Pass admits the pass holder and passengers in one non-commercial vehicle, or up to two motorcycles."

https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/senior-lifetime

Grand Canyon National Park South Rim charges per vehicle, not per person, so you should be fine. I've not read anywhere that an individual traveling in a vehicle with a Lifetime Senior Pass holder will be checked for citizenship.

Enjoy the park; pictures you may have seen do not do it justice!!!!! We were there on 9/11/2001 and have been there twice since. I can't imagine becoming jaded to the views!

This summer I will park outside Yellowstone and drive foreigners in with my senior pass. No charge, but tips appreciated.

Thanks, Kate! We're really looking forward to it. We went years ago when our kids were younger & they didn't seem to appreciate it. Now they are both really into photography & are excited to take pictures. It will be our small granddaughter's 1st visit. I did reserve our rooms at Maswik Lodge. We stayed in Williams last time & did the commute.

Mr. E: That sounds like a good side-hustle for someone! :)

Tina

You're welcome, Tina!

I did reserve our rooms at Maswik Lodge. We stayed in Williams last
time & did the commute.

Excellent choice versus staying in Williams! You will love being right there for sunrises and sunsets, and no worries about hitting wildlife (some of it LARGE) when driving back and forth in the dark. IMHO, the Park isn't really a spot for foodies - you go for the trails, views, and interesting stuff - but your family will be fine at any number of places to fill in the tummy. The one I would avoid would be El Tovar. It's expensive, service and food quality are inconsistent, and I think a lot of people book it thinking they're have a great view? Most won't as even if seated up by the windows as it sits too far back from the rim. Your small granddaughter would probably enjoy her supper a lot more elsewhere too. Then again, as this isn't your first rodeo at the South Rim, you probably already know that! :O)

Hi Kate:

I don't remember much of what we did for food last time around. I think probably grab & go type of thing. Any evening meals we had in Williams. But this time, yes we will be eating in the Park. I will avoid El Tovar, granddaughter would prefer elsewhere I'm sure!

We're looking forward to the sunrises & sunsets. Just being able to leave our rooms & be right there! We have 3 nights at Maswik.

Tina

Our lodge of choice has been Bright Angel but we ate plenty of suppers at Maswik's Food Court. I see the menu has changed since last we were there (a fave soup is history) but give it a shot, and the Pizza Pub too. While it's the furthest further away of the rim options, give Yavapai Tavern a look? Oh, and they now have a food truck that's new since last we visited.

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/yavapai-lodge.htm

But for anything aside from a sit-down meal, you can't beat a packed-along sammie on the rim! We've never eaten a sit-down breakfast either but put it together from our cooler, or bought a take-out breakfast sammie to enjoy in front of THAT view. :O)

Thanks for the food tips, Kate! I think our rooms will have the usual tiny hotel fridge, so we'll stop for a few provisions. We should maybe pick-up a portable cooler though. Although we'll have 3 rooms, so 3 fridge's to keep the food cold!