New national park passes put US residents first with lower fees, will launch in 2026

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the launch of “America the Beautiful is passing,“offering digital and physical passes to access our nation's most treasured treasures.

The passes are designed to put “American families first” by introducing a new resident-focused fee starting January 1, 2026.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a news release that the improvements are aimed at making parks more accessible, affordable and efficient.

NEW POLICY TSA MAY CHARGE a fee for passengers who do not have acceptable identification at security checkpoints.

“This policy ensures that U.S. taxpayers who already support the National Park System continue to enjoy affordable access while foreign visitors do their fair share to maintain and improving our parks for future generations,” Burgum said.

Americans can purchase an annual pass for $80. Special offers offered for the elderlyallowing them to purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80.

Free passes are available to military personnel and permanently disabled Americans.

4 US HOT SPOTS JUST INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF TOP DESTINATIONS ACCORDING TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Through the Every Kid Outdoors program, all fourth grade students in the United States can also receive a free pass for the school year.

Volunteers at federal recreation areas who complete 250 volunteer hours can also receive free passes.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Nonresidents will have to pay $250 for annual passes to ensure that “American taxpayers who already support the national park system receive the maximum benefit,” the department said.

“U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable prices, while non-residents will pay higher rates for care and maintenance assistance American parks“, – noted in the press release.

Non-residents who do not receive an annual pass will have to pay more than $100 per person to enter the 11 parks on top of the standard admission fee.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

There are 11 parks in total: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand CanyonGrand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

More than 330 million people visited America's National Parks in 2024, according to the NPS.

Proceeds from subscriptions purchased online will go towards supporting everything National Park Systemalthough tickets purchased on site will primarily benefit that specific park, a DOI spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

TEST YOURSELF WITH THE LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“This revenue will help keep our parks beautiful and well-functioning, including [addressing] deferred maintenance,” the spokesperson said. “The non-resident surcharge is a small part of the total travel costs (flights, accommodation, transportation) for foreign tourists.”

The passes will facilitate upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance and overall improvement of services.

Revenues generated by the new fee policy will be invested directly back into America's national parks, supporting visitor facility upgrades, essential maintenance, and service improvements across the country.

The passes include photos of animals, parks, President Donald Trump with George Washingtonplus Theodore Roosevelt is the president most associated with the creation of our national parks.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The new policy also expands affordability and capacity to cover two motorcycles.