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National park fees 2026: the America the Beautiful pass explained

Since 1 January 2026, the US charges foreign visitors more to enter its national parks. The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 for US residents and $250 for non-residents, and non-residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at the 11 most visited parks unless they hold a pass. For most international road trips, the pass is now a no-brainer.

Park pass or pay at the gate?

Where do you live?
Parks on your trip
Grand Canyon$35+$200
Zion$35+$200
Bryce Canyon$35+$200
Arches$30

Pay at each gate

$735

Annual pass

$250

Buy the pass: you save $485.

One pass covers the pass holder and everyone in the same private car, including the non-resident surcharge. Buy it at the first park entrance, online from recreation.gov (digital) or the USGS store (posted). Prices checked on nps.gov in October 2026. Fees for tribal parks (Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon) and state parks are separate.

Open the park pass calculator on its own page →

The $100 non-resident fee

Checked on nps.gov in October 2026
ParkVehicle feeNon-resident surcharge
Acadia$35$100 per person 16+
Bryce Canyon$35$100 per person 16+
Everglades$35$100 per person 16+
Glacier$35$100 per person 16+
Grand Canyon$35$100 per person 16+
Grand Teton$35$100 per person 16+
Rocky Mountain$30$100 per person 16+
Sequoia & Kings Canyon$35$100 per person 16+
Yellowstone$35$100 per person 16+
Yosemite$35$100 per person 16+
Zion$35$100 per person 16+

Other parks — Arches, Death Valley, Joshua Tree and many more — charge only their normal entrance fee. The Great Smoky Mountains charge no entrance fee at all, only a parking tag. Fee-free days are now for US residents only.

What the pass covers (and what it doesn’t)

  • Entrance fees at all national parks and other federal recreation sites (national forests, BLM, wildlife refuges).
  • The pass holder and everyone in a private car — or the holder plus three adults where fees are per person.
  • The non-resident surcharge for everyone covered.
  • Camping, tours, permits and timed-entry reservation fees.
  • Tribal parks: Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon.
  • State parks and city parking fees (Horseshoe Bend).
  • The Smokies parking tag.

Questions travellers ask

How much is the national parks pass for foreigners?

$250 for a year, since 1 January 2026. US residents pay $80.

Which parks charge the $100 non-resident fee?

Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

Does the $250 pass cover the $100 fee?

Yes. Any valid America the Beautiful or park annual pass covers the surcharge for the holder and passengers in the same private vehicle.

Where do I buy the America the Beautiful pass?

At most park entrance stations, as a digital pass on recreation.gov, or as a physical card from the USGS online store (allow up to three weeks for delivery).

Exit 10Next exitsThe Grand Circle1,300 miles · 10–14 days
Exit 17Grand Canyon National ParkA mile deep, 277 river miles long, and still bigger than you imagined.Exit 24Zion National ParkWalk up a river between 2,000-foot walls of red and cream sandstone.Exit 31Yellowstone National ParkGeysers, bison and a supervolcano: the world’s first national park.Exit 38BudgetMoney

Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026.