This is an U.S. National Park Fee Update on the new U.S. Department of the Interior policy affecting international visitors, effective January 1, 2026.
Many of you may already be familiar with this announcement, though several details are still awaiting clarification from the National Park Service.
The DOI has announced a $100 per-person surcharge for international visitors, in addition to standard entrance fees, for 11 major U.S. National Parks, including Yosemite National Park and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
The International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) has compiled the most current and reliable information available, including FAQs:
What to Know:
- The $100 surcharge applies to international visitors and non-U.S. residents, including those arriving via commercial bus tours.
- To avoid the per-person surcharge, international visitors may purchase a $250 America the Beautiful (ATB) International Pass, valid for 12 months.
- The ATB pass covers all occupants of a private, non-commercial vehicle, making it a good value for California itineraries combining Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon.
Agent Tips:
- America the Beautiful (ATB) passes purchased in 2025 remain valid for 12 months and will not be subject to the new 2026 international surcharge.
- Act now for booked clients: The standard ATB Pass ($80) is available through December 31, 2025. For clients already booked for 2026, purchasing now may offer meaningful savings.
- The $250 ATB International Pass has not yet been released for sale, but is expected to be available via Recreation.gov by January 1, 2026.
- Guidance is still pending on whether the surcharge will apply to YARTS public transportation riders; historically, YARTS passengers have not paid a park entrance fee.
We’ll continue to share any U.S. National Park Fee Update as more information becomes available..
A Positive Note:
We are looking forward to being part of the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup. For those traveling to matches hosted here in California, we encourage you to add a national parks road trip!
