New National Park Passes Prioritize U.S. Residents with Lower Fees Starting 2026

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced a new national park pass program, “America the Beautiful passes,” which will take effect on January 1, 2026, introducing a fee structure that favors U.S. residents. The new passes will offer annual access to national parks for $80 to American residents, while nonresidents will be charged $250 annually, according to officials.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the changes aim to make national parks more accessible, affordable, and efficient for American families. “These policies ensure that U.S. 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 in a press release.

Special pricing will be available for seniors, who can purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80. Additionally, free passes will be provided to military members, veterans, Americans with permanent disabilities, and fourth-grade students through the Every Kid Outdoors program. Volunteers who contribute 250 hours of service at federal recreation sites will also be eligible for free passes.

Nonresidents who do not purchase the $250 annual pass will be required to pay a $100 per-person fee to enter 11 designated national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee. These parks include Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.

The Department of the Interior emphasized that the higher fees for nonresidents are intended to ensure that American taxpayers receive the greatest benefit from the National Park System. A spokesperson for the department noted that funds from passes purchased online will support the entire National Park System, while passes bought on site will primarily benefit the specific park.

In 2024, more than 330 million people visited national parks across the United States, underscoring the importance of sustainable funding and access policies for these public lands.