BURSTStarting in 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) will be increasing entrance fees for non-U.S. residents, a change that will hit international rock climbers. Under the new policy, foreign visitors must pay US $250 for an annual pass (up from the $80 charged to American citizens). For those not buying the pass, there will be an extra US $100 surcharge per person on top of the entrance fee to enter 11 of the most popular parks including Yosemite and Zion, full list below.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in the statement: “These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.” He added that it’s a “resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first.”
For international climbers, the new costs may translate into fewer trips, or a change of plans. Many U.S. climbing destinations, like Yosemite sit inside or near national park boundaries, climbers often combine visits to multiple parks, or plan longer stays. The jump in fees could make such trips too expensive, especially for those on tight budgets.
The U.S. isn’t the first to implement higher fees for foreign tourists, as countries such as Egypt, Cambodia, and Thailand already charge international visitors more for entry. Even for climbers who do visit, the scene will eventually shift. The hardest hit may be those working in guiding services, gear shops, and lodging, as a decline in visitors could translate directly into fewer customers.
11 Parks with Extra $100 Entrance Fee
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
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