Grand Canyon Joins Grand Teton, Kenai Fjords, Mount Rainier, Wind Cave and Badlands National Park in Unprecedented Policy Overhaul for U.S. Visitors, Here is Everything You Need to Know

Published on December 12, 2025

The U.S. National Parks system is undergoing a monumental shift and it’s set to change how you visit your favorite natural wonders. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) is now part of an exclusive group of parks affected by an unprecedented policy overhaul that will impact visitors in 2026. From Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) to Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska), Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota), these iconic locations are all included in the U.S. government’s new approach to access and pricing. The goal is simple: to ensure that U.S. taxpayers get the most affordable access to these national treasures, while international visitors contribute their fair share. This report breaks down the sweeping changes and what they mean for you.

What’s Changing at Grand Canyon and Other National Parks?

Starting in 2026, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service (NPS) are introducing a new fee structure that will make some national parks more expensive for international visitors while keeping costs lower for U.S. residents. The Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), one of the most iconic parks in the world, will be subject to this policy. But it’s not just the Grand Canyon—this policy also affects Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming), Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska), Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota). These parks are now officially part of a new era of pricing and access that aims to balance affordability for U.S. residents with increased contributions from international visitors.

For U.S. residents, the changes include access to patriotic fee-free days, a feature designed to offer free entry on select holidays throughout the year, such as Presidents Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. These days will allow U.S. visitors to enter the parks without paying a fee. On the other hand, international visitors will face new surcharges and price increases, making it more expensive for them to experience the same parks that American citizens have enjoyed for decades.

The Impact on Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

The Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) is one of the most famous national parks in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. Under the new system, non-U.S. residents will pay an additional USD 100 surcharge on top of the regular entrance fees. This surcharge applies specifically to the Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the 11 most visited parks in the United States. While this may come as a shock to some international travelers, it’s part of a broader strategy to ensure that Americans continue to have affordable access to their national parks.

For U.S. residents, things remain largely unchanged. You can still enjoy the Grand Canyon at the standard fee and on certain patriotic fee-free days, you can visit for free. The aim of these changes is to create a fair system that prioritizes U.S. taxpayers who already support these parks with their tax dollars. Still, the additional surcharge for international visitors is likely to raise eyebrows, but it’s designed to help offset the costs of maintaining the parks and providing top-tier services.

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) and the Fee Shifts

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming), another incredibly popular destination, will also experience significant fee changes. Much like the Grand Canyon, international visitors to Grand Teton will now be required to pay the USD 100 surcharge, making it more expensive to visit. This shift is part of the America First pricing strategy, which aims to ensure that U.S. visitors pay lower fees while international visitors contribute their share to the upkeep of the park.

The park’s scenic beauty is unparalleled and it continues to attract nature enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. While U.S. residents will benefit from the lower fees and patriotic fee-free days, those coming from abroad will need to plan ahead and prepare for the increased cost. It’s an important change, as the Grand Teton National Park has seen consistent growth in international tourism in recent years and this new pricing structure will help balance access and sustainability.

Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska): Not Left Out of the Price Adjustments

Located in Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska) is another natural wonder that will be impacted by the new fee system. Though Kenai Fjords is not among the 11 most visited parks that face the full brunt of the USD 100 surcharge, the park is still affected by the broader fee restructuring. For U.S. visitors, this means no significant changes to pricing and you can still visit the park with the usual entrance fees.

However, international visitors will see price increases that are part of the America First pricing system. The new fees are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers can continue to enjoy affordable access to Kenai Fjords National Park, even as international visitors pay higher prices. This approach to Kenai Fjords is part of a nationwide trend to adjust park access fees, with an emphasis on ensuring that U.S. taxpayers don’t bear the full cost of maintaining these incredible parks.

Mount Rainier National Park (Washington) Under the New Policy

Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), located in the Pacific Northwest, is a favorite for hikers, climbers and nature lovers. The changes at Mount Rainier follow a similar pattern to those at the Grand Canyon and Grand Teton. Non-U.S. residents will pay a surcharge, but U.S. residents will continue to benefit from lower fees and the ability to visit for free on certain patriotic fee-free days.

Though Mount Rainier is not one of the 11 most visited parks that faces the USD 100 surcharge, it will still see price increases for international visitors. These adjustments are intended to reflect the increasing costs of maintaining and servicing the park. Like other parks, Mount Rainier aims to offer an affordable experience to U.S. residents, while making international visitors contribute more to the preservation of these national treasures.

Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Finally, let’s take a look at the changes in Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota), both of which will see increased fees for international visitors. While these parks are not part of the 11 most visited parks targeted for the USD 100 surcharge, they are still subject to the broader price restructuring.

At Wind Cave and Badlands, U.S. residents will still be able to take advantage of the patriotic fee-free days and access the parks at reduced costs. Non-U.S. visitors will need to plan for higher costs, though these parks may not see the same level of price increases as Grand Canyon National Park or Grand Teton National Park. The fee restructuring at these parks is part of a larger effort to balance affordability for Americans with fair pricing for international tourists.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

The new policies are all part of a broader movement by the U.S. government to ensure that the national parks remain financially sustainable. The goal is to preserve these natural wonders for future generations while still making them accessible to everyone. The changes are a reflection of the growing demand for national park visits, both from U.S. residents and international travelers. By making international visitors pay a bit more, the U.S. government is ensuring that the parks can continue to thrive without relying too heavily on U.S. taxpayers.

The America First pricing model is designed to make sure that U.S. residents are not priced out of their own national parks. At the same time, it encourages international visitors to contribute more to the maintenance of these parks, which see millions of visitors each year.

Final Thoughts on the Policy Overhaul

The new fee policy for Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming), Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska), Mount Rainier National Park (Washington), Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota) will certainly change the way many people experience these iconic parks. U.S. residents will benefit from lower fees and patriotic fee-free days, while international visitors will face higher costs to enter some of the most visited parks in the country. These changes are part of an ongoing effort to keep national parks affordable and sustainable for generations to come.

As we approach the 2026 implementation, it’s essential for both U.S. residents and international travelers to stay informed about these new policies and plan their trips accordingly. The Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and other parks are treasures and the new pricing will help ensure that they remain that way for years to come.

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