US Considers Higher National Park Fees for International Visitors, Including at Yellowstone and Grand Teton
International visitors to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks could face significantly higher entrance fees beginning in 2026, under a proposal being considered by the US Department of the Interior, KGAB AM 650 reports.
The plan, which would apply to foreign visitors at National Parks across the country, suggests adding a special surcharge to entrance fees paid by international travelers. Officials say the move could nearly double the National Park Service’s (NPS) fee-based revenue, helping address ongoing needs for maintenance and facility improvements.
The Interior Department has not yet finalized the proposal but has indicated that the added revenue would be directed toward preserving infrastructure, upgrading trails, and enhancing visitor services across the park system.
Tate Watkins of the Property and Environment Research Center, a Montana-based policy group, has previously voiced support for such a measure. He argues that many international travelers who visit US parks already spend thousands of dollars on long-distance trips and would likely be willing to pay more for the experience.
“Most wouldn’t blink at paying a little bit more, or even potentially a decent amount more,” Watkins said.
However, some tour operators have raised concerns that the potential fee increase could deter foreign tourists from visiting multiple parks during their trip — a common practice among international travelers to the American West. They warn that higher costs could reduce demand and affect tourism-dependent businesses in gateway communities.
Currently, entry to individual parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton costs $35 per private vehicle, $20 per individual, or $70 for an annual pass. An alternative, the America the Beautiful Pass, which allows access to all NPS-managed sites for $80 annually, is available to both domestic and international visitors and could help mitigate the financial impact of the proposed fee increase.
The proposal is still under consideration, and public feedback is expected to be part of the decision-making process. If implemented, the fee changes would take effect in 2026 and would apply only to visitors from outside the United States.
The National Park Service has long faced a backlog of maintenance and infrastructure needs. Advocates for the fee increase argue that international travelers — who make up a significant portion of park visitation during peak seasons — could contribute more to support the upkeep of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks.
