“America First” policy extends to national parks: Foreign visitors to face steep fee increases in 2026

11/29/2025 / By Belle Carter

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, foreign visitors to U.S. national parks will pay $250 for an annual pass and face a $100 surcharge at 11 popular parks, including the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Trump administration frames the move as prioritizing taxpayer-funded access for Americans while requiring international visitors to contribute more toward park maintenance and upgrades.
Previously free holidays like Presidents’ Day and Constitution Day will now only apply to U.S. residents, eliminating universal free access. Revenue will fund conservation, facility upgrades and digital improvements.
The National Park System saw 331.9 million visits in 2024, the highest ever, with overcrowding forcing some parks (like Shenandoah’s Old Rag Mountain) to implement reservation systems.
Critics warn the fees could deter international tourism, while supporters argue they ensure U.S. taxpayers aren’t subsidizing foreign visitors’ access to national treasures.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, foreign tourists visiting U.S. national parks will pay significantly higher fees under a new policy announced by the Department of the Interior on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Nonresidents will be charged $250 for an annual parks pass—more than triple the $80 cost for U.S. citizens and permanent residents—while also facing a $100 surcharge at 11 of the most popular parks, including the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park.

The move, framed as an “America First” initiative by the Trump administration, aims to prioritize taxpayer-funded access for Americans while requiring international visitors to contribute more toward park maintenance and upgrades.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized that the policy aligns with President Donald Trump’s longstanding commitment to putting American citizens first.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Burgum said in a statement. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

The fee overhaul will also eliminate universal free-admission days on holidays like Presidents’ Day and Constitution Day, reserving those benefits exclusively for U.S. residents. Revenue from the increased fees will fund facility upgrades, conservation efforts and digital improvements, including mobile-friendly park passes and expanded coverage for motorcycles.

Record-breaking park attendance

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, the National Park System saw unprecedented demand in 2024, with a record 331.9 million visits—the highest in its history. Twenty-eight parks reported all-time visitation highs, while 38 maintained above-average attendance every month.

This surge has forced some parks, like Shenandoah National Park’s Old Rag Mountain trail, to implement reservation systems to manage overcrowding. While the Interior Department does not yet track visitor nationality, officials argue that the growing proportion of foreign tourists justifies the new fee structure to ensure sustainable funding.

The fee changes mark the first major restructuring of park access under Trump’s renewed “America First” agenda. Similar policies have been implemented in other sectors, such as air travel, where the Obama administration previously proposed doubling Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security fees to cover screening costs—a move criticized for burdening travelers.

Critics of the new park fees argue they could deter international tourism, while supporters contend they ensure U.S. taxpayers aren’t subsidizing foreign visitors’ access to national treasures.

As the National Park System braces for another surge in visitors, the 2026 fee increases signal a broader shift toward prioritizing American taxpayers in public land access. Whether the policy will successfully balance conservation funding with equitable access remains to be seen, but for now, foreign tourists planning U.S. park visits will need to budget accordingly.

Watch the video below that talks about the “America First” economics.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.