WASHINGTON — International tourists visiting U.S. national parks may pay more at the gate starting next year. Advocates say it’s a “common-sense policy” that could raise needed revenue for maintenance.
In its 2026 “Budget in Brief,” the U.S. Interior Department has included a surcharge for the 14 million foreigners who visit America’s national parks annually.
A 2023 report from the Property and Environment Research Center found that a $25 surcharge would nearly double fee revenue to the National Park Service, adding $330 million to its coffers.
Tate Watkins, research fellow with Property and Environment Research Center, said that revenue could go a long way.
“With a relatively small increase in fees for visitors from abroad, you could raise a really significant amount of revenue that many parks really, really need — especially the ones that are bigger, attract more visitors and have seen boons in visitation over recent years,” he explained.
The report found more than $22 billion in backlogged maintenance for park infrastructure, which includes fixing Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The Interior budget comes as the U.S. Senate’s reconciliation bill proposes moves that could hinder park operations, including pulling $267 million in remaining Inflation Reduction Act funding earmarked for the Park Service.
Watkins added that current park fees make up a small slice of travel budgets for those visiting from outside the country, usually less than 3%.
“When you think of the types of visitors who are able to pay multi-thousands of dollars for a big, often bucket-list trip to some of the incredible sites that we have at our national parks, most wouldn’t blink at paying a little bit more, or even potentially a decent amount more,” he continued.
According to the report, it’s common practice around the world to charge international visitors more. For example, Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia charges foreigners $55, which is almost four times the citizens’ rate of $14.
