New national park passes put US residents first with lower fees, will launch in 2026

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the launch of “America the Beautiful passes,” offering digital and physical passes to access our nation’s most valuable treasures.

The passes are intended to “put American families first” by imposing a new resident fee starting January 1, 2026.

The improvements are aimed at making parks more accessible, affordable and efficient, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a press release.

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“These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers who already support the National Park System continue to benefit from affordable access, while international visitors contribute equitably to the maintenance and improvement of our parks for future generations,” Burgum said.

Americans can purchase annual passes for $80. Seniors are offered special deals that allow them to purchase a $20 annual pass or an $80 lifetime pass.

Free passes are offered to military members and Americans with permanent disabilities.

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Through the Every Kid Outdoors program, all fourth graders in the United States can also receive a free pass for their school year.

Federal recreation area volunteers who provide 250 hours of volunteer service may also earn a free pass.

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“To ensure that American taxpayers who currently support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit, nonresidents will have to pay $250 for annual passes,” the department said.

“While U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable rates, nonresidents will pay a higher rate to support the maintenance and repair of America’s parks,” the Interior Department said. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

“While U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable rates, nonresidents will pay a higher rate to support the maintenance and repair of America’s parks,” the press release states.

Nonresidents who cannot obtain an annual pass will have to pay more than $100 per person to enter the 11 parks on top of the standard admission fee.

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The 11 parks are: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

Non-residents will pay $250 for annual passes. (iStock; Ministry of Internal Affairs)

More than 330 million people visited America’s national parks in 2024, according to NPS.

Funds from passes purchased online, National Park SystemA DOI spokesperson told Fox News Digital that passes purchased at the resort will primarily benefit that park.

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“This revenue will help keep our parks beautiful and functioning well; [addressing] deferred maintenance accumulation,” the spokesperson said. “The non-resident surcharge is a small portion of the total travel costs (airfare, accommodation, transportation) for foreign tourists.”

The passes will support improvements to visitor facilities, essential maintenance and overall improved services.

More than 330 million people visited America’s national parks in 2024. (iStock)

Revenue from the new fee policies will be invested directly into America’s national parks, supporting visitor facilities improvements, essential maintenance and improved services across the country.

The passes include photos of animals, parks, President Donald Trump with George Washington, as well as photos of Theodore Roosevelt, the president most associated with the creation of our national parks.

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Under the new policy, affordability and access are also expanded, with passes covering two motorcycles.