Maine Unites Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Florida, And Other United States In Turning Into Elite Destinations: Exclusive Access To America’s Most Iconic Parks Awaits You

Published on November 28, 2025

Access to national parks in the United States is changing once again and is even more accessible. Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Florida, along with some other states in the U.S., are changing national parks to national park exclusive. This gives travelers the chance to explore the national parks more than ever, and the modified entry fees and park access are creating a premium experience for those interested. This is a great benefit for travelers to experience parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and more. Travel and Tour World is making these changes clear and is asking you to keep these changes in mind and plan a visit to the national parks in 2026 and beyond.

America’s National Parks: No Longer For Everyone? Why the Extra $100 Fee for Foreign Guests Is A Game Changer

Beginning January 1, 2026, United States national parks will charge international guests an extra $100 fee in an effort to recover costs associated with maintaining the parks. This move will certainly shock the travel industry since it is the first of its kind in the tourism sector, as the United States will be the first country to charge international visitors an entry fee to national parks. By shifting the burden of maintenance to international guests, the United States will effectively change its approach to international tourism.

While most residents in the United States likely will not notice the changes made, the shift does break from the longstanding convention of allowing all members of the public to have entry to and gain the benefits of these public lands, which are their national treasures. This report will analyze the changes in these fees, the national parks in which the changes will take place, and the ramifications of the change in policy in a situation (and decision) that is likely to be controversial. The question that this change poses is: will it dissuade a large number of foreign travelers, or will the iconic national parks of the United States continue to be a pull for travelers, albeit at a much higher entrance fee?

11 National Parks to Charge an Additional $100 to Foreign Visitors

Beginning in 2026, a total of 11 national parks in the United States will add a surcharge to all foreign travelers wishing to enter. Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks are constructed under the same federal preservation law and are also the beacons of the United States. Foreign nationals will be required to pay $100, in addition to the normal entrance fees to the parks.

The following list includes the parks affected by the surcharge across multiple states.

Acadia National Park – Maine

Zion National Park – Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah

Everglades National Park – Florida

Glacier National Park – Montana

Grand Teton National Park – Wyoming

Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks – California

Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Yosemite National Park – California

Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona

The decision to implement the surcharge has drawn the ire of international travelers who, along with the increased fees, have to now face additional financial challenges to gain access to the wonders of the American National Parks. These parks are international treasures, and so the debate over the surcharge has the possibility of affecting international travel to the United States for the foreseeable future.

The “America-First” Economic Strategy

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is stating that the new fee system is to help shift the financial load in maintaining the National Parks from American taxpayers to foreign visitors, and is responsible for the new fee system. The logic is to keep fees low for American visitors and to shift the burden of maintaining the parks to foreign travelers by charging higher fees.

The annual “America the Beautiful Pass,” which offers public land access across the U.S., has also been altered. Now, in the U.S., the pass is available for $80. However, foreign passport holders will be required to pay 250 for the same access. This now requires foreign tourists to consider the value of an individual visit to be able to decide whether an annual pass is a better option. This is likely to influence the way trips to the U.S. are scheduled.

The notion of U.S. National Parks being financed primarily by foreign tourists rather than American citizens has been a controversial subject. However, it is seen by some as an exclusionary policy working against foreign tourists wishing to access and enjoy the use of the U.S. National Parks. Others, however, see it as a necessary measure to preserve the parks.

The Hidden Costs: How the New Surcharge Could Impact Global Tourism

In addition to the entrance fee, the structure of the tourists’ visits to these parks will also change. The $100 surcharges will apply to individual entrance fees, which will be added to the current entrance fees. Visitors planning to go to several parks on the list will pay significantly more than they did before. Tourists from Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world may reconsider their travel plans. They could choose other, less expensive travel destinations.

The financial consequences will park area local services. Economically, the impact of foreign tourists will affect the local economies that depend on the foreign tourists’ taxes. Ex. Occasionally, shops, food services, lodging, and tour services have a great financial dependence on international travel. The local economies have a great financial dependency on foreign tourists

Does the $250 America the Beautiful Pass Save Money?

For some international travelers planning to see multiple parks, the $250 non-resident America the Beautiful Pass may be worth it compared to paying individual entry fees multiple times. The pass does cover all national parks, but the price paid upfront is significant. However, those planning to visit only a couple of parks may find it cheaper to pay standard individual entry costs instead of the $100 extra for the pass.

The flex pricing models framing the America the Beautiful Pass, particularly for foreign travelers in order designed to limit the surcharge. However, Digital passes can be difficult for international travelers to navigate, as the entire process may be unfamiliar. The pass is designed to be a streamlined process, but to some people, especially families or solo travelers with a few parks on the itinerary, the $250 upfront cost may be a significant barrier.

The America the Beautiful pass and fee requirements may deter visitors from overseas who plan on visiting several parks within the same trip. This makes the national parks system less accessible to certain international groups and further narrows the potential visitors’ markets.

Increasing Travel Expenses and Changes in Consumer Behavior

Increasing travel expenses to visit U.S. national parks will likely result in a shift in travel planning to the U.S. from international visitors. The surcharge and pass requirements may cause visitors to parks in the U.S. to review their intended destinations and make visits to fewer parks, or choose other national parks that are not affected by the new fees.

The potential shift in travel planning may impact tourism to and within the U.S. from overseas markets, particularly in India, China, Japan, and Europe, where visitation to national parks is popular. The intended planning shift may prompt overseas visitors to choose other countries, where visitation to national parks is less expensive.

The Expanding Controversy: Is It Justifiable for Non-U.S. Citizens?

One of the most controversial elements of the new surcharge is its arbitrary geographical disaggregation of access to America’s natural resource wealth. U.S. national parks, critics say, should be deemed part of the global commons and accessible to every person, irrespective of the country of origin.

The new system poses profound ethical issues of justice and fairness. It is highly controversial to suggest that national parks, where people of all nationalities are meant to be able to go and experience the wonder of the natural world, should be accessible only to people of the country where the parks are located, and to charge foreigners for the privilege of entering the parks.

Moreover, some critics suggest that the move will only exacerbate the decline of international itinerants (would-be tourists) who, for the first time, will perceive the United States as an in-tourism-exclusive destination, solely aimed at serving the needs of its domestic and tourist-visiting citizens.

America’s National Parks: The Struggle for Equity and Equal Access

Changes in philosophy concerning U.S. national parks are signified with the addition of the \$100 surcharge and the increase in price of the America the Beautiful pass. This signifies the shift of American national parks from an all-inclusive park to a more exclusive national park.

Instead of providing international visitors with equal access to the parks, the U.S. government views foreign nationals solely as a profit source. This, unfortunately, sets the tone for a trend that will likely result in greater access barriers for visitors from low-income and economically disadvantaged countries to the parks.

Given the increasing complexities of the pricing model, certain segments of the population will likely suffer from increased access barriers. While the long-term sustainability of this shift will remain unclear, it will certainly change the way Americans view and experience the national parks.