Foreign Visitors to Pay US Park Fee
The US Department of the Interior will require international visitors to pay an additional $100 to enter 11 popular national parks, and from 2026 non-residents will pay more than $250 for an annual park pass while US citizens and permanent residents continue to pay $80. The move, tied to an executive order from President Donald Trump, is presented as prioritising American families and raising funds for conservation, and will take effect at the start of 2026.
The US Department of the Interior has announced a new charge that will require international visitors to pay an extra $100 on top of existing entrance fees to access 11 of the country’s most visited national parks. The policy will also raise the price of an annual national park pass for non-residents to more than $250 from 2026; US citizens and permanent residents will continue to pay $80 for the annual pass.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum framed the change as putting Americans first: "These policies ensure that US 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," he said.
The department says the increase will take effect at the start of 2026 and comes alongside an upgraded online booking system and improved motorcycle access in some parks. The announcement follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in July directing higher entrance fees for overseas visitors.
The administration says the extra revenue will support conservation and maintenance of heavily visited sites even as federal plans have included substantial cuts to the Park Service budget. US parks saw record visitation in recent years — the National Park Service reported upwards of 331 million visitors in 2024, an increase of at least 6 million over the previous year.
Popular destinations named in public statements include the Everglades, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Parks. What this means for Virgin Islands residents and regional travellers: anyone from the BVI and the wider Caribbean who plans to visit US national parks after 2025 should factor the new fee and higher non-resident annual pass cost into travel budgets.
BVI residents who are US citizens or permanent residents will remain eligible for the $80 annual pass rate; those travelling on non‑US passports will face the additional charges. The change may also affect itinerary planning for tour operators and holidaymakers who combine US national park visits with other US destinations.
The Interior Department also announced eight resident-only "patriotic fee-free" days for 2026, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day, when US residents can enter certain parks without charge. Travellers are advised to monitor the Department of the Interior’s official site for details on which parks are affected, how the new online booking system will work, and the full schedule of fee-free days before making reservations.
Primary source: VINO