National Park Fees for Foreign Tourists to Increase in 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) – Beginning next year, most international visitors to seven of the United States’ most popular national parks will face significantly higher entrance fees, the National Park Service announced today. The move, stemming from a July executive order by President Donald Trump, aims to bolster funding for park maintenance and upgrades.
The fee increases will impact visitors to Yellowstone, Grand canyon, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain, Acadia, and Arches National Parks. While current entrance fees vary by park, the new rates will be $200 for individual foreign visitors and $300 for foreign visitor vehicles, a ample jump from the existing range of $35 to $70 per vehicle. The changes are projected to generate additional revenue for park improvements, but have drawn concern from conservation groups and the tourism industry.
According to the Department of the Interior, the increased revenue will be dedicated to addressing deferred maintenance projects and enhancing visitor facilities within the affected parks. The U.S. Travel Association reported over 14 million international visitors to national parks and monuments in 2018. More recently, Yellowstone National Park data shows that nearly 15% of visitors in 2024 were from outside the U.S.,a decrease from 30% in 2018.
The proclamation also included a shift in the schedule for fee-free days,introducing “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” for U.S. citizens, including Veterans Day, previously open to all visitors. the Department of the Interior had initially promoted the 2025 free days with the intention of ensuring access to public lands for “everyone, no matter their ZIP code.”
Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, stated the association will seek clarification from the Department of the Interior regarding the implementation of the new fee structure. The changes are expected to take affect in 2025.
