U.S. to Increase Entry Fees for Foreign Tourists at National Parks Starting January

The U.S. government is preparing to introduce a significant hike in entry fees for international tourists visiting major national parks beginning January 1. Under the new policy, foreign visitors to iconic destinations such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and several others will be required to pay an additional $100 per person, apart from the existing $35 per vehicle entry charge.

The announcement was made by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who also revealed that the cost of an annual parks pass for foreign visitors will rise steeply to $250 per vehicle, while U.S. residents will continue paying just $80 for the same pass.

Officials argue that the new “America-first pricing” structure will help generate much-needed revenue for park maintenance, including repairs to worn-out trails, bridges, and other facilities. Yellowstone National Park alone is expected to earn an additional $55 million per year through the new system.

However, businesses that rely heavily on tourism fear the sharp hike may discourage international travelers. A motel owner near Glacier National Park expressed concern, noting that nearly 15% of his guests come from countries such as India, Canada, Spain, Germany, China, and France. He said adding $100 per person could reduce foreign visitors significantly.

The updated fees will apply across several major parks including Acadia, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, Everglades, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain.

While the federal government compares the move to global pricing models—such as the Galapagos Islands charging foreign visitors $200—critics warn that the policy may make national parks less accessible and place additional stress on already reduced staff numbers. Nearly 25% of park employees were cut recently as part of cost-saving measures.

Tourism analysts estimate the fee increase may reduce foreign footfall by around 1%, but could generate more than $1 billion annually if applied across all U.S. park sites.