Why non-U.S. residents will pay $250 for a national park pass after January 1
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- National park pass will cost nonresidents $250 annual pass; residents pay $80.
- Nonresidents face $100 per visit at 11 major parks without the annual pass.
- Senators request pause, public comment and impact study before fee implementation.
Starting next week, non-United States residents will have to pay far more to enter the nation’s most popular national parks under a plan the White House calls “America First.”
The new America the Beautiful nonresident pass, available after January 1 as a result of an executive order from President Donald Trump, will cost $250. U.S. residents will continue to pay $80.
Without an annual pass, nonresidents will have to pay $100 each to enter 11 of the nation’s most visited parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, on top of the standard entrance fee.
“AMERICANS OFFERED AFFORDABLE PRICES WHILE FOREIGNERS PAY MUCH MORE,” said a White House post in all caps on X.
Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and his Democratic colleagues are not pleased with these changes.
“We strongly believe these fees are being implemented too quickly, without public input, and will be a barrier for both residents and non-residents alike,” the senators wrote Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
They asked that he “stop implementation of the new nonresident passes and fees until the public has an opportunity to weigh in, impacts to visitation are studied, and clarity on implementation is provided…”
The National Park Service did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
Also signing the letter were Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Ron Wyden, D-Oregon.
Trump’s reasoning
The increased fees are the latest step in implementing Trump’s July executive order “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks.”
The order directed administration officials to develop ways to increase park revenue “by appropriately increasing entrance fees and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas of the National Park System that charge entrance fees.”
Trump explained his reasoning: “It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents, and expanding opportunities to enjoy America’s splendid national treasures,” he said.
The order said the fees would be used to improve park infrastructure “or otherwise enhance enjoyment of or access to, America’s federal recreational areas.”
Who’s a nonresident?
A fact sheet from the park service explains that to buy a resident pass, “a visitor will need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or residency.”
Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, U.S. government-issued driver’s license or state ID, or permanent residency card, or green card.
The park service said commercial tour companies “will be expected to know the number of nonresidents and America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass holders prior to entering a park so they can provide this information to the fee collector.”
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