BUCKHANNON, WV — December 5, 2025
The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR has announced a new entry-fee structure for non-U.S. residents visiting several of the nation’s most popular national parks, a change set to take effect on January 1, 2026. According to the department’s public release, foreign visitors will pay a higher rate than U.S. residents when entering select parks under a policy described as a modernization of access fees funded by American taxpayers.
Under the updated structure, international visitors will have two options. They may purchase a new $250 annual pass, available only to non-U.S. residents, which grants access to participating parks. Alternatively, those who do not buy the pass will pay a $100 per-person surcharge in addition to the standard entry fee at the affected parks. U.S. residents will continue to pay the current $80 annual America the Beautiful Pass or the standard per-vehicle entrance charge.
The U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, which falls under the Department of the Interior, stated in its announcement that the additional funding collected from international visitors is intended to address longstanding maintenance backlogs, improve staffing levels, and support infrastructure projects at high-traffic parks. The agency also noted that visitor demand from abroad has risen significantly over the past decade, contributing to higher operational costs at the most visited sites.
The parks implementing the international surcharge include several of the nation’s largest and most recognizable destinations, such as YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, and others designated by the National Park Service as high-volume sites requiring additional financial support to maintain trail systems, visitor centers, transportation services, and conservation programs.
According to the Interior Department’s statement, the change is intended to ensure that “foreign national visitors contribute proportionally to the resources they use,” while helping stabilize funding without increasing fees for U.S. residents. The department also said the surcharge will be used to improve visitor access and safety, as well as to support environmental preservation initiatives.
Tourism organizations have expressed mixed reactions. Some groups representing gateway communities surrounding national parks have noted that international visitors make up a significant portion of their seasonal income, raising concerns that higher fees could reduce foreign travel in the coming years. Others emphasized that improved park infrastructure and staffing may ultimately benefit all visitors regardless of origin.
The National Park Service is expected to provide updated guidance to travelers in early 2026 as the new fee structure is implemented. For now, the policy remains scheduled to begin on January 1, with affected parks preparing for the transition during the winter off-season.
The Appalachian Post is an independent West Virginia news outlet dedicated to clean, verified, first-hand reporting. We do not publish rumors. We do not run speculation. Every fact we present must be supported by original documentation, official statements, or direct evidence. When secondary sources are used, we clearly identify them and never treat them as first-hand confirmation. We avoid loaded language, emotional framing, or accusatory wording, and we do not attack individuals, organizations, or other news outlets. Our role is to report only what can be verified through first-hand sources and allow readers to form their own interpretations. If we cannot confirm a claim using original evidence, we state clearly that we reviewed first-hand sources and could not find documentation confirming it. Our commitment is simple: honest reporting, transparent sourcing, and zero speculation.
Sources
Primary First-Hand Sources
- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR — Official public fee-structure announcement
- U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE — Policy update on international visitor surcharges
Secondary Attribution-Based Sources
- Travel and Tour World reporting summarizing Interior Department statements
Appalachian Post 
Leave a comment