The Department of the Interior is launching the ‘America the Beautiful passes’ starting on January 1, 2026, offering $80 annual access for U.S. residents while charging $250 for nonresidents. These passes are designed to prioritize access and affordability for American families, ensuring that U.S. taxpayers continue to enjoy the benefits of the National Park System while international visitors contribute to its maintenance. The Department of the Interior (DOI) emphasizes that the policy aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency for domestic visitors. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has stated that these improvements will make the parks more affordable and accessible for residents. The initiative also highlights the importance of sustainable funding to maintain and improve the parks, with funds from the passes contributing to upgrades in visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and overall service improvements.
Special provisions are being made for seniors, who can purchase a $20 annual pass or a lifetime pass for $80. Military members, veterans, and individuals with permanent disabilities will also receive free passes. Additionally, all U.S. fourth-grade students will be eligible for a free pass through the Every Kid Outdoors program. These measures aim to ensure that a wide range of individuals and families can benefit from the national parks. The nonresident surcharge of $250 is designed to ensure that international visitors contribute to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the parks, though the DOI notes that this is a small fraction of the total costs faced by foreign tourists, including airfare, lodging, and transport.
Nonresidents who do not obtain an annual pass will have to pay a $100-per-person fee to enter 11 specific national parks in addition to the standard entrance fee. These parks include Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The DOI highlights that the revenue generated from the passes will support the maintenance and enhancement of the National Park System, addressing the long-standing deferred maintenance backlog. This funding will be used for upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improvements in park services, ensuring that these natural treasures remain accessible and well-maintained for future generations. The passes themselves are also designed with educational elements, including photos of animals, parks, and notable historical figures such as President Donald Trump and Theodore Roosevelt, who are most associated with the creation of these parks.