The US Department of the Interior announced on the 25th that starting in 2026, foreign tourists visiting US national parks will need to purchase an annual pass at more than double the current price or pay an additional $100 fee when visiting the 11 most popular national parks.

Under the new policy, beginning January 1 next year, the annual pass price for US residents will remain $80, while the price for non-residents will increase to $250. Non-residents without an annual pass will be required to pay a standard entrance fee plus an additional $100 per person surcharge to access the 11 most visited US national parks, including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and others.

The announcement stated that the US Department of the Interior is implementing the "most significant modernization reform in decades" to the National Park Pass system. This includes introducing a new digital version of the national park pass, a new annual pass design, expanded motorcycle access permissions, and establishing an "America First" pass pricing policy that prioritizes the interests of American families.

US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated that these policies ensure American taxpayers can continue to enjoy affordable access, while "international visitors also contribute their fair share to the maintenance and improvement of our parks."

On July 3, US President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to study increases to entrance fees for foreign visitors to US national parks, ensuring US residents have priority rights when visiting these sites.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong