The Department of the Interior (DOI) has officially launched the ‘America the Beautiful passes,’ a new initiative that provides U.S. residents with $80 annual access to national parks starting on January 1, 2026. Nonresidents will pay a higher fee of $250 for annual passes, as stated in a press release by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. This policy aims to prioritize American families while also ensuring nonresidents contribute to the maintenance and improvements of the parks. The new pass includes benefits such as free access for military members, veterans, individuals with permanent disabilities, and students from fourth grade. Additionally, those who volunteer 250 hours at federal recreation sites can also gain free passes. The passes support upgrades to visitor facilities and essential maintenance while addressing deferred maintenance issues within the National Park System. Revenue generated from the fees will be reinvested into the parks, providing improved services and ensuring their long-term sustainability. Nonresidents who do not purchase annual passes will face a $100-per-person fee for visiting 11 select parks, including iconic sites such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. The DOI emphasized that the nonresident surcharge is a small fraction of total trip costs for international visitors, focusing instead on securing long-term resources for the parks.