Overview
- Under the Interior Department’s plan taking effect Jan. 1, 2026, annual passes remain $80 for U.S. residents, rise to $250 for nonresidents, and a $100 per-person surcharge will apply to nonresidents at 11 major parks including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
- The rollout adds fully digital America the Beautiful passes through Recreation.gov with instant purchase, mobile storage and updated validation tools alongside staff training.
- New resident passes feature portraits of Donald Trump and George Washington, and 2026 includes fee-free entry days restricted to U.S. residents on selected holidays.
- Interior leaders say the changes ensure taxpayers keep affordable access while international visitors pay more toward maintenance, and a PERC estimate projects a $100 surcharge could generate $55 million a year at Yellowstone.
- Critics including the Sierra Club and travel writers warn of equity and tourism impacts, and Grand Canyon-area businesses report weaker international demand already and fear further losses, noting foreign visitors account for about 14% there and one hotel says bookings are down 15%–18% year over year.