USA 2026: Significant fee increase for international national park visitors

Grosskarolinenfeld, November 26, 2025 - TMC Travel is announcing an important change for anyone planning a trip to the USA in 2026. As of January 1, 2026, a new fee structure of the US National Park Service will come into effect, which will significantly increase the fees for international visitors.

New annual pass for non-US citizens: 250 US dollars

The well-known "America the Beautiful" pass, which offers access to over 2,000 national parks and other federal areas, will become considerably more expensive for non-US citizens and non-residents in future. The price will rise from 80 US dollars to 250 US dollars. For US citizens and residents, however, the price will remain unchanged at 80 US dollars.

This differentiation leads to a clear separation of the fee models for the first time - a step that the authorities believe is primarily intended to help with financing and visitor management in heavily frequented parks.

Additional fees in eleven of the most popular national parks

In addition to the new annual pass, additional fees will be charged at eleven of the most popular national parks. Those who do not have a non-resident pass will pay an extra 100 US dollars per person in future.

These parks include the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain National Park and other iconic natural highlights that are on the program of many classic rental car tours through the western USA.

These additional costs can quickly add up on a round trip - especially for families or couples who want to visit several parks.

Relevance for travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland

For guests from German-speaking countries, the new fee structure means a noticeable increase in the travel budget if national park visits are part of the trip. Many US itineraries naturally include several parks, so it is important to consider the new costs from 2026 at an early stage.

Travelers who have previously relied on single entry fees will also need to check in future whether the new annual pass is the more sensible alternative despite its higher costs.

TMC Travel - Your USA specialist
As a long-standing expert for individual trips to the USA and tailor-made rental car tours, TMC Reisen provides its customers with comprehensive information about all relevant changes - including the updated national park fees - as part of the consultation process and ensures that travelers are optimally prepared for their trip.

TMC Reisen
Nelkenweg 15
83109 Gro?karolinenfeld
Germany

https://www.tmc-reisen.de

Herr Uli Edelmann
08031-9019833
08031-9019834
info@tmc-reisen.de

TMC Reisen is a specialized tour operator based in Gro?karolinenfeld, Germany, which has been focusing on individual long-distance travel, tailor-made rental car tours and high-quality adventure tours for many years. The focus is on trips to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the South Seas and southern Africa.

As an owner-managed company, TMC Reisen combines in-depth destination knowledge with personal advice and high quality standards. Each trip is individually tailored - from route planning and choice of accommodation to activities and experiences along the way. Thanks to a strong international partner network, TMC Reisen offers high-quality travel experiences that are perfectly tailored to the wishes of its customers.

With many years of experience, reliable service and a passion for extraordinary travel experiences, TMC Reisen is a trustworthy partner for anyone who wants their dream trip planned individually, flexibly and professionally.

This release was published on openPR.