International tourists will have to pay three times more than U.S. residents to visit national parks next year under a new “America First” initiative, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced. The plan makes non-residents “pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks,” the Department of the Interior said. Under the new policy, the annual “America the Beautiful” pass will jump from $80 to $250 for foreign travelers. The 11 most popular parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, will charge international visitors an additional $100 fee per person, on top of standard entrance costs for visitors without the annual pass. The price for a domestic annual pass remains unchanged at $80. In a video announcing the initiative on X, Burgum said the price hike ensures overseas travelers “contribute their fair share to help preserve and maintain these treasured places.” The administration also announced plans for several “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” on various public holidays throughout 2026, including Flag Day, which the statement notes also happens to be President Donald Trump’s birthday.
Read it at Axios
