Plan your 2026 trip

U.S. National Park Entrance Fees & Passes (2026)

Every major national park with its real 2026 entrance fee, the new resident vs. non-resident America the Beautiful pass, and the $100 non-resident surcharge at 11 parks — so you can budget your RV route before you hit the gate.

How park fees work in 2026

America the Beautiful — U.S. resident $80/year

Covers entrance and standard day-use at ~2,000 federal sites for 12 months. Pays for itself after ~3 fee parks.

America the Beautiful — non-resident $250/year

New 2026 tier for non-U.S. residents. Also waives the $100 surcharge at the 11 surcharge parks.

Non-resident surcharge $100/person

Per person (age 16+) added to the standard fee at 11 marquee parks — unless you hold an annual pass.

Standard entrance fees range from free to $35 per vehicle (7 days). Eight 2026 fee-free days apply to U.S. residents only. Figures reflect NPS rates effective January 1, 2026; always confirm on each park's official page before travel.

Frequently asked

2026 national park fee FAQ

How much is the America the Beautiful pass in 2026?
From January 1, 2026, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents. It covers entrance and standard day-use fees at roughly 2,000 federal recreation sites for 12 months — so it pays for itself for U.S. residents after about three fee-charging parks.
Which 11 parks charge the extra $100 non-resident fee?
Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 per-person fee on top of the standard entrance fee at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The $250 non-resident annual pass waives it.
Are there free entrance days in 2026?
Yes — eight fee-free days apply in 2026, but beginning this year they are for U.S. residents only. Dates: Feb 16 (Presidents Day), May 25 (Memorial Day), June 14 (Flag Day), July 3-5 (Independence Day weekend), Aug 25 (NPS 110th Birthday), Sept 17 (Constitution Day), Oct 27 (Theodore Roosevelt's birthday), and Nov 11 (Veterans Day).
Which national parks are free to enter?
About 20 national parks charge no entrance fee at all, including Great Smoky Mountains (parking tag required), Cuyahoga Valley, Hot Springs, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, North Cascades, Redwood, Great Basin, Congaree, and most Alaska parks (Denali is free to enter but the park road requires a paid transit bus).
Do these fees cover my whole vehicle?
At parks that charge per vehicle, one pass covers the vehicle and all passengers. At per-person parks (walk-in, bicycle, or motorcycle), the America the Beautiful pass covers the holder plus three additional adults. Always confirm the exact fee for your entry type and date on the park's official NPS page.

Source: National Park Service — Fees & Passes / Nonresident Fees, retrieved 2026-08-09. Fees are subject to change — confirm the exact rate for your entry type and date on each park's official NPS page.

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