Adventure Planning Articles
National Park Entrance Fees 2026: Passes, Nonresident Fees and Free Days
11 min read·Updated August 25, 2026
By Hadis Hesabi, CTO and co-founder·Editorial standards
2026 introduced the biggest change to national park entrance fees in years: a new national park annual pass price split by residency, plus a nonresident national park fee charged per person at eleven of the most-visited parks. A pass that covered everyone the same way in past years may not this year.
This guide covers the 2026 pass prices, exactly which parks charge the nonresident surcharge, the fee-free dates, and what an entrance pass doesn't cover. This guide was last verified against official sources on August 25, 2026. Reservations, permits, fees, closures and seasonal conditions change, so re-check the official source linked beside any changing rule before you travel.
In this guide
- National park fees in 2026: what changed
- The 11 parks nonresident fee list for 2026
- When does the nonresident annual pass make sense?
- 2026 national park fee-free days
- What an entrance pass does and doesn't cover
- Put fees into the trip budget
National park fees in 2026: what changed
2026 introduced a major resident/nonresident difference. The America the Beautiful resident annual pass is $80; the nonresident annual pass is $250. Nonresidents age 16 and up at 11 named high-demand parks may also owe a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the regular entrance fee, unless admitted with an eligible annual pass.
| 2026 pass / fee | Price | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass | $80 | Eligible U.S. citizens and residents |
| Nonresident Annual Pass | $250 | Non-U.S. residents |
| Senior Annual Pass | $20 | Eligible U.S. citizens/residents age 62+ |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | $80 | Eligible U.S. citizens/residents age 62+ |
| Nonresident surcharge at designated parks | $100 | Nonresidents age 16+ unless covered by an eligible pass |
The 11 parks nonresident fee list for 2026
- 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 and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Zion National Park
When does the nonresident annual pass make sense?
For an international visitor planning several major parks, compare regular entrance fees plus applicable $100 nonresident surcharges across the route with the $250 nonresident annual pass. Once a route is mapped, it's straightforward to see which parks on it are on the surcharge list and add up the difference.
2026 national park fee-free days
- February 16: Presidents Day
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day
- July 3-5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Beginning in 2026, NPS states that these fee-free entrance days apply to eligible U.S. citizens and residents. Nonresidents still owe the applicable entrance and nonresident fees unless covered by an eligible pass.
What an entrance pass does and doesn't cover
| Expense | Usually covered by entrance pass? |
|---|---|
| National park entrance fee | Yes, subject to pass terms |
| Standard amenity/day-use fee at participating federal sites | Often |
| Campground reservation | No |
| Timed-entry processing fee | No |
| Hiking lottery / permit fee | No |
| Concession lodging or tours | No |
Put fees into the trip budget
For a multi-park trip, entrance fees are only one layer. A realistic budget also includes reservation processing fees, campgrounds, hiking permits, parking, shuttles, fuel, food and lodging.
Xavier, the AI agent companion at xploreum.io, can help organize driving legs, trailheads, campsites, stays and daily activities around these costs in one Xpedition. Browse Xpeditions or describe your trip directly to Xavier.
Fees are one constraint among several on a park trip. See national park reservations for 2026 for the entry and timed-entry rules, and the national park permit calendar for the hiking lottery deadlines that sit alongside them.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the America the Beautiful pass in 2026?
The resident annual pass is $80 for eligible U.S. citizens and residents. The nonresident annual pass is $250.
Which parks charge the $100 nonresident fee in 2026?
NPS lists Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
Are national parks free on August 25, 2026?
August 25 is a 2026 entrance-fee-free day for eligible U.S. citizens and residents. Reservation, timed-entry, camping and other activity fees can still apply.
Do free entrance days apply to international visitors in 2026?
No. NPS states that beginning in 2026 the fee-free entrance days apply to U.S. citizens and residents.
Does a national park annual pass include campsite fees?
Generally no. Campground, reservation, permit and concession fees are separate unless a specific program says otherwise.
Sources
Rules, closures, fire restrictions, food-storage requirements, water conditions and permit systems can change. Verify your destination with the managing agency before departure.