> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.roamingthesouthwest.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # U.S. National Park Fees for International Visitors 2026: What to Know - URL: https://www.roamingthesouthwest.com/us-national-park-fees-for-international-visitors/ - Published: 2026-09-30T16:41:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-30T16:46:39.000Z - Description: Planning to visit U.S. national parks in 2026? Here’s what international visitors need to know about the new $250 annual pass, $100 nonresident fee, and which option could save you money. - Author: Roaming the Southwest - Tags: Permits, Fees, & Reservations If you're visiting U.S. national parks from another country in 2026, there are major new entrance fees you need to know about before your trip. Beginning January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must pay an additional $100 nonresident fee at 11 of the most visited U.S. national parks. This fee is charged in addition to the park's regular entrance fee. International visitors also have a separate America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass, which costs $250 in 2026 and can cover both standard entrance fees and the additional nonresident fees. Depending on where you're going and how many people you're traveling with, purchasing the $250 annual pass could save you hundreds of dollars. But if you're visiting parks that don't charge the additional nonresident fee, buying the pass may actually cost you more. Here's exactly how the new 2026 U.S. national park fees for international visitors work, which parks charge the additional fee, and how to determine whether the $250 annual pass will save you money. --- ## **How Much Is the America the Beautiful Pass for International Visitors in 2026?** In 2026, the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250 for international visitors. The pass covers entrance fees and applicable nonresident fees for one private vehicle and its passengers, or up to two motorcycles. At sites that charge per person rather than per vehicle, the pass covers the passholder and up to three additional adults. This is significantly more than the $80 annual pass available to U.S. citizens and residents, but the $250 pass can still save international visitors a substantial amount of money depending on their itinerary. That's because 11 U.S. national parks now charge non-U.S. residents age 16 and older an additional $100 per-person entrance fee. If you're traveling with another adult or visiting multiple affected parks, those fees can exceed $250 very quickly. We'll break down exactly when the $250 pass is worth buying below. ![Surprise Arch found in the permitted Fiery Furnace within Arches National Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/64/3a/643ad7a2-7c45-42c5-80e2-a2c2017106b6/content/images/2026/09/Surprise-Arch-in-Fiery-Furnace.jpg) Surprise Arch found in the permitted Fiery Furnace within Arches National Park ## What Are the 2026 U.S. National Park Fees for International Visitors? Beginning January 1, 2026, international visitors age 16 and older must pay an additional $100 nonresident fee when visiting 11 designated U.S. national parks. The $100 nonresident fee is charged per person and is added to the park's standard entrance fee. For example, if two international visitors age 16 or older enter a park that charges a $35 private vehicle entrance fee, they would pay: - $35 standard vehicle entrance fee - $100 nonresident fee for the first visitor - $100 nonresident fee for the second visitor - Total: $235 Children age 15 and younger are not charged the additional $100 nonresident fee. International visitors with an eligible America the Beautiful Annual Pass are not charged the additional nonresident fee. ### Which National Parks Charge the $100 Nonresident Fee? The additional $100 nonresident fee applies at these 11 national parks: - Acadia National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park - Everglades National Park - Glacier National Park - Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Teton National Park - Rocky Mountain National Park - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks - Yellowstone National Park - Yosemite National Park - Zion National Park The additional fee does not apply at every U.S. national park. If a park is not on this list, international visitors generally pay the park's standard entrance fee. ![Mesa Arch within Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab, Utah](https://storage.ghost.io/c/64/3a/643ad7a2-7c45-42c5-80e2-a2c2017106b6/content/images/2026/09/Mesa-Arch-in-Canyonlands-National-Park.jpg) Mesa Arch within Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab, Utah ## Is the $250 America the Beautiful Pass Worth It for International Visitors? Whether the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass is worth it depends on which national parks you're visiting, how many adults are traveling with you, and whether those parks charge the additional $100 nonresident fee. Because the $100 fee is charged per person age 16 and older at the 11 affected parks, the annual pass can pay for itself much faster for couples, families, and groups traveling together. ### Scenario 1: Two Adults Visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon Zion and Bryce Canyon are both included among the 11 parks that charge the additional $100 nonresident fee. Without an annual pass, two international visitors age 16 or older would pay: Zion National Park: - $35 standard vehicle entrance fee - $200 in nonresident fees - Total: $235 Bryce Canyon National Park: - $35 standard vehicle entrance fee - $200 in nonresident fees - Total: $235 Total without the annual pass: $470 Non-Resident Annual Pass: $250 Savings with the annual pass: $220 For two adults visiting just Zion and Bryce Canyon, the $250 annual pass would already save $220. ### Scenario 2: Solo Traveler Visiting Zion and Bryce Canyon For a solo international traveler age 16 or older: Zion National Park: - $35 standard vehicle entrance fee - $100 nonresident fee - Total: $135 Bryce Canyon National Park: - $35 standard vehicle entrance fee - $100 nonresident fee - Total: $135 Total without the annual pass: $270 Non-Resident Annual Pass: $250 Savings with the annual pass: $20 Even for a solo traveler, visiting just Zion and Bryce Canyon would make the $250 annual pass slightly less expensive than paying the entrance and nonresident fees individually. ### Scenario 3: Visiting Parks Without the $100 Nonresident Fee The calculation changes if your itinerary only includes national parks that do not charge the additional $100 nonresident fee. For example, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef are not among the 11 parks that charge the additional nonresident fee. In that case, international visitors pay the standard entrance fees, just as they normally would. If the total entrance fees for the federal recreation sites on your itinerary are less than $250, purchasing the Non-Resident Annual Pass may not save you money. ![Golden light after sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/64/3a/643ad7a2-7c45-42c5-80e2-a2c2017106b6/content/images/2026/09/Bryce-Canyon-National-Park-Snowy-Sunrise-2.jpg) Golden light after sunrise at Bryce Canyon National Park ## **Who Does the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass Cover?** One of the biggest advantages of the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass is that you do not need to purchase a separate pass for every person traveling with you. At parks that charge an entrance fee per vehicle, the pass covers the passholder and all passengers traveling together in one private, non-commercial vehicle. The pass can also cover up to two motorcycles. At federal recreation sites that charge entrance fees per person, the pass covers the passholder and up to three additional adults. Children age 15 and younger are admitted free and do not need to be covered by the pass. This means a couple or family traveling together may only need one $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass, which is why the pass can save money so quickly when visiting parks that charge the additional $100 nonresident fee. --- ## **What Do the 2026 Nonresident Fees Mean for Utah National Parks?** If you're planning to visit Utah's Mighty 5 national parks, only two of the five parks charge the additional $100 nonresident fee: - Zion National Park - Bryce Canyon National Park Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef do not charge the additional $100 nonresident fee. This distinction is important when deciding whether to purchase the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass. An itinerary that includes Zion and Bryce Canyon can make the annual pass worthwhile much faster, particularly if two or more adults are traveling together. If you're only visiting Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef, you'll pay the standard entrance fees at each park and may spend less by purchasing entrance passes individually. For a complete breakdown of the standard entrance fees at all five Utah national parks: → [Utah National Park Entrance Fees 2026: Cost for All 5 Parks](https://www.roamingthesouthwest.com/utah-national-park-entrance-fees/) --- ## **Where Can International Visitors Buy the $250 America the Beautiful Pass?** International visitors can purchase the $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass online through Recreation.gov or in person at participating federal recreation sites. If you're purchasing your pass in person, be prepared to provide documentation verifying your residency status. You can also purchase a digital pass online before your trip, allowing you to use your pass without waiting for a physical pass to arrive. For a complete explanation of purchasing options, digital passes, and how the America the Beautiful Pass works in 2026: → [America the Beautiful Pass 2026: Cost, Changes & What to Know](https://www.roamingthesouthwest.com/america-the-beautiful-pass-what-to-know/) ![The Scenic Drive at sunset within Capitol Reef National Park](https://storage.ghost.io/c/64/3a/643ad7a2-7c45-42c5-80e2-a2c2017106b6/content/images/2026/09/Scenic-Drive-Capitol-Reef.jpg) The Scenic Drive at sunset within Capitol Reef National Park ## **U.S. National Park Fees for International Visitors FAQ** ### Do international visitors pay more to visit U.S. national parks in 2026? Yes. Beginning in 2026, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $250 for non-U.S. residents, compared with $80 for U.S. citizens and residents. Non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must also pay an additional $100 nonresident fee at 11 designated national parks unless they are covered by an eligible annual pass. The additional $100 fee does not apply at every U.S. national park, so how much more an international visitor pays depends on the parks included in their itinerary. ### Is the $100 nonresident fee charged per person or per vehicle? The additional $100 nonresident fee is charged per person age 16 and older, not per vehicle. This means two international visitors age 16 or older traveling in the same vehicle could owe $200 in nonresident fees in addition to the park's standard vehicle entrance fee. ### Do children have to pay the $100 nonresident fee? No. The additional $100 nonresident fee applies to non-U.S. residents age 16 and older. Children age 15 and younger do not pay the additional fee. ### Do international visitors have to buy the $250 America the Beautiful Pass? No. International visitors are not required to purchase the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass. You can still purchase individual park entrance passes and pay any applicable nonresident fees. Whether the annual pass saves you money depends on the parks you're visiting and how many people are traveling with you. ### Can international visitors use the $80 America the Beautiful Pass? The $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass is available to U.S. citizens and residents. Non-U.S. residents who want an annual pass must purchase the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass. ### Does the $250 pass cover the $100 nonresident fee? Yes. The $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass covers applicable nonresident entrance fees for people covered by the pass, in addition to standard entrance fees. ### Are all U.S. national parks charging international visitors an extra $100? No. The additional $100 nonresident fee only applies at the 11 designated national parks. International visitors to other national parks generally pay the standard entrance fee. --- ## Planning a Trip to Southern Utah? I’ve spent 10+ years exploring the Southwest, and my Southern Utah Travel Guide includes everything I’d actually recommend for planning your trip, including hikes, scenic drives, overlooks, and 7 pre-built itineraries so you don’t have to second-guess every stop. → [Explore My Southern Utah Travel Guide](https://www.roamingthesouthwest.com/travel-guides/) See you out there, Mallory