November 26, 2025, 10:25 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Vacationing in the U.S. could become significantly more expensive for many nature enthusiasts: The Trump administration is implementing drastic price hikes for entry to American national parks, particularly affecting foreign tourists. Here’s what travelers need to know about the changes.
According to a report by BILD, the U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that the annual pass for all national parks will cost $250 starting at the turn of the year. Previously, the price was $80. The new regulation still covers up to four people per pass—the ticket becomes significantly more expensive, but its usage remains the same. This equates to approximately 217 euros.
High Additional Fee for Foreigners in Popular Parks
The change particularly impacts foreign visitors. Those without an annual pass who wish to visit one of the 11 most popular parks—such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, or Joshua Tree National Park—will have to pay an additional fee on top of the regular entrance fee of $15 to $20. The U.S. Department of the Interior stated: “Non-residents will pay an additional $100 per person on top of the regular entrance fee.”
The decision is part of a political course that President Trump had already prepared by decree in the summer. The aim is to ensure that U.S. taxpayers benefit preferentially from the publicly funded facilities. The department explained: “These measures ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the national park system, continue to enjoy affordable access.” President Trump emphasized: “America first” also applies “to the national parks.”
In February, the Trump administration had already laid off nearly 1,000 employees of the National Park Service to cut costs. The increased entrance fees are now intended to specifically fund infrastructure investments—such as new access roads for motorcycles.
National Parks More Popular Than Ever
With their breathtaking nature, U.S. national parks are extremely popular. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, around 332 million visits were recorded last year—a new record.
The 11 most visited national parks in the U.S.:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Olympic National Park (Washington)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
- Arches National Park (Utah)