‘America First’ Pricing to start in 2026

The US Department of the Interior announced this week that non residents will have to pay hefty fees on top of the entrance prices at SOME National Parks from 01 January 2026. 

A new fee of $250 for an annual pass or $100 per person in addition to the standard fees. This is all part of the ‘America First’ initiative introduced by the current administration to encourage Americans to visit the National Parks. This will increase revenue at the nominated National Parks which will be used in the maintenance and operations that keep the parks open. U.S tax payers already pay towards the National Park Service and this now means that foreign visitors will be contributing as well.

Americans will pay $80 for the ‘America the Beautiful’ annual pass versus $250 for non residents. There are 11 National Parks where this new pricing will be enforced. 

National Park System – Entrance Passes 2026

Parks that will carry the foreign visitors surcharge

1. Arcadia National Park
2. Bryce Canyon National Park
3. Everglades National Park
4. Glacier National Park
5. Grand Canyon National Park
6. Grand Teton National Park
7. Rocky Mountain National Park
8. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
9. Yellowstone National Park
10. Yosemite National Park
11. Zion National Park

Public Holiday pricing will still be charged for non residents whilst the Department confirmed that the following dates will be patriotic fee free.

2026 Public Holiday Dates

1. President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
2. Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
3. Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026)
4. Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
5. 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
6. Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
7. Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
8. Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)

From a Non Resident’s point of view all of these parks will be on somebody’s bucket list and the increase will impact enormously on a visitors budget. The tour operators as well be affected as most coach tours to America will include a National Park and they will have no option but to include the increase in their pricing. Think about the multitude of day tours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park will this have a detrimental impact on the survival of some of the smaller operators? Interesting times ahead I am afraid.