For most overseas visitors who see two or more of the 11 affected national parks, yes. The Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250 and replaces both the entrance fee and the new $100 per-person nonresident fee, for the whole vehicle. Two adults who visit just two of those parks would pay $400 in nonresident fees alone, before any entrance fee.
The rule applies to every non-US resident aged 16 or older. It has been in force since January 1, 2026.
Fees and park lists checked against the National Park Service on November 9, 2026, by the Private USA Tours planning team. Check the NPS pages linked below before you travel, as fees can change.
Which parks charge the $100 nonresident fee?
The National Park Service lists 11 parks where each non-US resident aged 16 and over pays the standard entrance fee plus $100:
- Acadia
- Bryce Canyon
- Everglades
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Grand Teton
- Rocky Mountain
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Zion
The fee is per person, not per car. Children under 16 are not charged. Parks not on this list, such as Arches, Death Valley, Joshua Tree or Great Smoky Mountains, do not add the extra $100. Check the NPS nonresident fees page for any change to the list.
What the Non-Resident Annual Pass covers
The America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass is $250 and is valid for one year. According to the NPS, it covers:
- the entrance fee and the $100 nonresident fee for the pass holder and everyone in one private vehicle, or
- the pass holder plus three adults where parks charge per person instead of per vehicle, or
- two motorcycles.
US citizens and residents buy a different pass, the Resident Annual Pass, for $80. You cannot buy it as a visitor; the NPS asks for proof of citizenship or residency, such as a passport, state ID or green card. If you try to buy a digital pass without being eligible, you are asked to upgrade to the nonresident pass.
When does the pass pay for itself?
The table below counts only the $100 nonresident fee, not the regular entrance fee, which the pass also covers.
| Adults (16+) in your group | 1 affected park | 2 parks | 3 parks | 4 parks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | $100 | $200 | $300 | $400 |
| 2 adults | $200 | $400 | $600 | $800 |
| 4 adults | $400 | $800 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
Compared with the $250 pass:
- One adult: the pass wins from the third affected park. At two parks it is close, because the entrance fees on top of $200 decide it.
- Two adults: the pass wins from the second park. One park costs $200 plus entrance fee, which is also near break-even.
- Three or four adults in one car: the pass is cheaper even if you only visit one affected park.
Do tour groups pay too?
Yes. The NPS states that the nonresident fee at these parks also applies to nonresidents on commercial tours, commercial use authorization (CUA) tours and concessionaire tour groups, unless they use the Non-Resident Annual Pass. If you book a private tour, ask whether the price includes park fees, and whether your guide expects you to bring a pass. We list park fees separately on our itineraries, so you can see what the $250 pass would replace.
How to buy the pass
- In person: at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites, including most national park entrance stations. The NPS recommends this.
- Digital pass: from recreation.gov. You can save it on your phone and use it immediately. Photo ID is checked when you use it.
- By mail: from the USGS online store. Delivery can take up to three weeks, so the NPS suggests ordering well before your trip. An order receipt cannot be used in place of the pass.
Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. The holder must show a photo ID.
Passes bought in 2025
If you have an Annual Pass bought before January 1, 2026, the NPS says it is still honored under its original terms. It covers entrance and nonresident fees for 12 months from the date of purchase.
FAQ
Do children pay the $100 nonresident fee?
No. It applies to non-US residents aged 16 and older.
How much is the America the Beautiful pass for foreign tourists?
$250 for the Non-Resident Annual Pass, valid for one year. US residents pay $80.
Which national parks charge international visitors extra?
Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
Is it cheaper to buy the pass than to pay at the gate?
Yes for most itineraries with two or more of those parks. A couple visiting two of them pays $400 in nonresident fees before entrance fees, against $250 for the pass.
Can I use the pass at parks outside the 11?
Yes. The pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites, such as US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
Plan your route around the pass
Most classic western routes cross four or more of the affected parks, so the pass usually saves money. Our Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Mount Rushmore itinerary and Grand Canyon from Las Vegas guide show how many of these parks fall on each route. For a trip built around your dates and group size, talk to a USA specialist.
Sources: Nonresident Fees, NPS; Entrance Passes, NPS.
Cover photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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