America's Parks: Who Pays 3X More Starting Jan 1?
New U.S. Interior Department policies, effective January 1, 2026, will significantly increase fees for international visitors to America's national parks. The 'America the Beautiful' annual pass for non-U.S. residents will more than triple to $250, with an additional $100 fee for popular parks. While the department aims for international visitors to contribute their 'fair share,' environmental groups and former park employees express concern. They fear these changes could jeopardize park revenue, staffing, visitor access, and local economies.
Starting January 1, 2026, accessing U.S. national parks will become much pricier for international visitors. The annual 'America the Beautiful' pass, which grants entry to all national parks, will jump from $80 to $250 for non-U.S. residents. Additionally, an extra $100 fee will be imposed on international visitors to the 11 most popular parks, many located in the western U.S. Inside Climate News announced this major policy shift.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that these higher fees ensure U.S. taxpayers, who already fund the park system, retain affordable access, while international guests contribute to park maintenance and improvements. However, this move has drawn considerable skepticism from environmental organizations. Groups like the Sierra Club fear the drastic price hike could actually harm revenue for the National Park Service, which is already struggling with significant staffing cuts. They worry it could transform public lands into 'playgrounds for the super-rich' rather than truly supporting them.
Practical concerns are also surfacing. Emily Thompson of The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks questioned how park staff, already reduced, would verify U.S. citizenship at entrances without causing chaos or requiring American citizens to carry passports. She also highlighted the potential deterrent effect on international families, who might face hundreds of dollars in new fees, possibly hurting local economies dependent on park tourism. Foreigners authorized to live in the U.S. will not be subject to these new charges.
Some local businesses, like Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures, acknowledge potential awkwardness for their staff but suggest the added fees might not deter all international visitors, given their overall travel expenses. Yet, there's a significant concern that a new online purchase system for fees could mean fewer dollars directly reach the parks themselves, instead going to Washington D.C. Ensuring these funds genuinely benefit the parks is crucial to maintaining their world-class status for everyone. The urgency stems from the fact that without proper funding and accessible visitation, these natural treasures face an uncertain future.