Overview
- Interior identified 11 parks—including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite—where non‑U.S. visitors now pay an extra $100 on top of regular entry fees under an “America-first” pricing policy.
- The surcharge is charged per person over age 15, and entrance stations are requesting proof of residency such as a U.S. passport, driver’s license or permanent resident card.
- The America the Beautiful annual pass for non‑residents increased to $250 from $80, while prices for U.S. residents remained unchanged.
- Current and former park staff say the rollout is causing longer lines, confusion and some visitors turning back, with the strain compounded by a 24% reduction in the permanent workforce since last January.
- Canadian travel suppliers report a sharp pullback from U.S. trips, citing a roughly 90% year‑over‑year drop in bookings at one agency, shifts to other destinations and concerns tied to heightened border scrutiny and employer advisories.