Park Pass Increases

Some annual national Park passes have increased in price this year. The change in cost is primarily impacting foreign visitors to America's National Parks the most. At the start of 2026 "American the Beautiful" pass was divided into resident and non-resident categories. The latter are now forced to pay triple compared to what they paid in 2025! The US however is not alone in implementing a tier-pricing policy, dozens of countries around the world charge foreigners more than they do their own citizens.

It goes without saying that no one enjoys paying more than the next person. Even a single entry visit for a non-resident to a national park costs an hundred dollars for the nation's 11 most popular parks. Conversely, an American or legal resident alien would pay $35 to visit the Grand Canyon.

The current resident price for an annual pass is $80, but there is talk of increasing that fee to $100 for 2027. Fees have also increased for national park campsites and backcountry permits. Many would argue though that even at these prices the America the Beautiful pass is still a bargain. On the otherhand though these inflationary measure will eventually price out potential national park visitors be they foreign or domestic.