Foreign Tourists Face $100 US Park Surcharge

Effective January 1, foreign tourists will be charged $100 per person for entry into Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and other premier U.S. national parks. An annual pass for non-U.S. residents will also increase to $250 per vehicle, while U.S. citizens retain an $80 annual pass. This "America-first pricing" aims to secure vital funds for maintaining deteriorating park infrastructure, with projections suggesting over $1 billion could be generated annually from international visitors.

While proponents view the fee as a common-sense approach, similar to practices in other countries, some businesses reliant on international tourism fear a significant downturn. Owners of motels and tour operators report that a substantial portion of their clientele are foreigners, and this added expense could deter visits, harming local economies. Concerns have also been raised by park service employees who worry about increased burdens on overworked staff.

Supporters, like those from the Property and Environment Research Center, believe the surcharge is fair, noting that Americans already contribute through taxes. The debate continues as some lawmakers have introduced legislation to codify this surcharge. The Interior Department will begin tracking international visitor data in January to assess the impact of these new charges.