A new $100-per-person entrance fee for foreign visitors to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and other major U.S. national parks has sparked concerns among tourism businesses about potential declines in international travel, while supporters argue the move will help fund maintenance needs at the parks.
The policy, announced by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and set to take effect January 1, also raises the annual park pass price for foreigners to $250 per vehicle. U.S. residents will continue paying $80 for an annual pass. According to officials, this change aligns the United States with other countries that charge higher fees to non-residents at popular sites.
Mark Howser, owner of Whistling Swan Motel near Glacier National Park in Montana, said about 15% of his customers are from outside the U.S., coming from countries such as Canada, China, India, Spain, France, and Germany. He expressed concern that “is a sure-fire way of discouraging people from visiting Glacier.” Howser added: “It’s going to hurt local businesses that cater to foreign travelers, like myself. You’re discouraging them from seeing something in the country by attaching a fee to that experience.”
Bryan Batchelder of Let’s Go Adventure Tours and Transportation in Yellowstone noted that around 30% of his clients are foreigners—a number he says has increased recently due to changes in booking services. He commented on the new fee: “They’ll probably still come to the country, but will they visit national parks?”
The surcharge will also apply at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Zion national parks.
Interior Department officials described the measure as “America-first pricing” intended so international visitors contribute financially toward park upkeep.
Brian Yablonski with the Property and Environment Research Center estimated that Yellowstone alone could raise $55 million annually through this fee—funds earmarked for repairs such as deteriorating trails and aging bridges. If expanded nationwide across all park sites visited by an estimated 14 million international tourists each year, revenue could exceed $1 billion annually. Yablonski stated: “Americans are already paying more than international visitors because they are paying taxes. For international visitors this is kind of a no-brainer common sense approach.”
Melissa Weddell of University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research noted similar practices abroad; for example, Ecuador charges foreign adults $200 to visit the Galapagos Islands compared with just $30 for nationals.
However, not everyone supports the increase. Emily Thompson of Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks voiced opposition: “In a year where national park staff have already been cut by nearly 25%, we worry this will be yet another burden for already overworked employees.” She continued: “National parks should be available and accessible to all or America’s best idea will become America’s greatest shakedown.”
Gerry Seavo James from Sierra Club criticized recent federal actions affecting park funding and staffing: “Gouging foreign tourists at the entrance gate won’t provide the financial support these crown jewels of our public lands need… Without that support we run the risk of our true common grounds becoming nothing more than playgrounds for the super-rich.”
An Interior Department spokesperson said data collection on international visitors would begin next year.
A bill introduced by Republican lawmakers Riley Moore (West Virginia) and Ryan Zinke (Montana) seeks to codify this surcharge into law. In a joint statement they said: “President Trump and Secretary Burgum are putting Americans first by asking foreign visitors to pay their fair share while holding entrance fees steady for the American people.”
