The national park pass 2026 changes split the America the Beautiful Annual Pass into an $80 U.S. resident pass and a $250 nonresident pass, as of November 2026. Non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older also pay a $100 per-person fee at 11 named national parks unless covered by the nonresident annual pass.
What changed for the national park pass 2026?
The big change is residency-based pricing. As of November 2026, the National Park Service lists the America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass at $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, and the Non-Resident Annual Pass at $250 for non-U.S. residents on its official Entrance Passes page.
That is the headline, but hikers should track four practical changes before rolling up to a gate:
- U.S. residents: the annual America the Beautiful pass remains $80, as of November 2026.
- Non-U.S. residents: the annual America the Beautiful pass is $250, as of November 2026.
- Eleven high-traffic parks: non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older pay a $100 nonresident fee at specific parks unless covered by the Non-Resident Annual Pass, as of November 2026.
- Motorcycles: an America the Beautiful pass now covers up to two motorcycles at locations that charge by vehicle, as of November 2026.
The pass still covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites managed by agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as described by Recreation.gov’s pass page.
What is the national park pass price in 2026?
The national park pass price is $80 for the Resident Annual Pass and $250 for the Non-Resident Annual Pass, as of November 2026. Other America the Beautiful passes remain free or discounted for eligible U.S. citizens and residents.
| Pass | Who it is for | Price as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | Non-U.S. residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62 and older | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62 and older | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass | Current U.S. military and dependents | Free |
Those prices come from the NPS official pass table, as of November 2026. Before buying, check that page again. Fees are rules, not trail lore, and the gate ranger has to follow the current posted policy.
Which parks charge the $100 nonresident fee?
Eleven national parks charge the $100 nonresident fee. As of November 2026, the NPS lists these parks on its Entrance Fees by Park page:
- Acadia National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Everglades National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Zion National Park
The fee applies to non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older, per person, in addition to the regular entrance fee, unless they have the Non-Resident Annual Pass, as of November 2026. Kids 15 and under are admitted free under the America the Beautiful pass rules listed by Recreation.gov.
Translation for a hiking trip: a non-U.S. resident couple visiting Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Zion in the same year should run the math before buying separate entrance fees. The $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass may beat paying standard entrance fees plus repeated $100 nonresident fees.
Does the America the Beautiful Pass still cover everyone in your car?
Yes, for most private vehicles. As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says an America the Beautiful pass covers the pass holder and passengers in one non-commercial vehicle at sites that charge per vehicle.
At places that charge per person instead, the pass covers the pass holder plus three adults age 16 or older, for a maximum of four adults. Children 15 and under are admitted free. For motorcycle trips, the pass covers up to two motorcycles at locations that charge by vehicle, as of November 2026.
Bring photo ID. Recreation.gov states that each America the Beautiful pass is issued to one pass holder, and that person must be present with valid photo identification each time the pass is used.
Do free entrance days still apply in 2026?
Yes, but only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. As of November 2026, NPS says free entrance days do not waive entrance fees or nonresident fees for non-U.S. residents unless they have the Non-Resident Annual Pass.
The 2026 NPS free entrance days listed on the official pass page are:
- February 16, 2026 — President’s Day
- May 25, 2026 — Memorial Day
- June 14, 2026 — Flag Day
- July 3–5, 2026 — Independence Day weekend
- August 25, 2026 — 110th birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17, 2026 — Constitution Day
- October 27, 2026 — Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11, 2026 — Veterans Day
Free entrance does not mean free everything. Timed-entry reservations, camping, shuttle tickets, parking, permits, and tours can still cost money or require advance booking, depending on the park.
How do you choose the right pass for a hiking trip?
Start with your residency, then count your fee-charging stops. The right pass depends on who you are, where you are going, and how many parks you plan to hit in the same 12-month window.
- Confirm your status. U.S. citizen or resident? Look at the $80 Resident Annual Pass or any free or discounted pass you qualify for. Non-U.S. resident? Look at the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass.
- List your parks. Put every fee-charging national park, national monument, forest trailhead, or BLM area on the same list.
- Check each site’s fee page. Use the NPS entrance fee tool or the park’s own fees page before you leave.
- Add nonresident fees if they apply. For non-U.S. residents, pay close attention to the 11 parks with the $100 fee.
- Buy before the gate if it saves time. Digital passes are available through Recreation.gov, as of November 2026.
- Carry ID and backup power. A dead phone at the entrance station is a bad start to a trail day.
Can you buy a digital national park pass?
Yes. As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says digital America the Beautiful passes are available for instant download and use on a phone or tablet.
Digital passes are handy if you are flying into a gateway town and heading straight for the trailhead. Still, don’t treat your phone like a magic talisman. Save the pass offline, charge your battery, and bring the ID that matches the pass holder. Some parks have weak service exactly where you need it least.
Recreation.gov also states that digital passes may not be purchased as gifts, and America the Beautiful passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, as of November 2026.
What this means for hikers
The 2026 pass changes do not change how steep the climb feels, but they do change trip budgeting. U.S. residents who visit several federal recreation sites in a year still have a simple break-even question: will an $80 annual pass cost less than buying separate entrance passes?
For non-U.S. residents, the math is sharper. One or two visits to parks without the $100 nonresident fee may not justify the $250 pass. A big western road trip through Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Yosemite, or Glacier can change that fast.
Also, don’t confuse entrance with access. A pass gets you past the fee booth. It does not guarantee a campsite, backcountry permit, timed-entry slot, shuttle seat, cave tour, parking space, or wilderness permit. For popular hikes, check the park’s official page weeks or months before your trip.
Related reading
- Every Kid Outdoors: The Free 4th Grade National Park Pass
- Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road: Opening and Access
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: Price and Coverage
- Acadia National Park Pass and Vehicle Reservations
FAQ
How much is the America the Beautiful pass in 2026?
The Resident Annual Pass is $80 and the Non-Resident Annual Pass is $250, as of November 2026. The official NPS pass page also lists free or discounted passes for eligible U.S. citizens and residents, including seniors, military members, veterans, Gold Star Families, fourth graders, and people with permanent disabilities.
Do non-U.S. residents have to pay more at national parks?
Yes, in some cases. As of November 2026, non-U.S. residents pay $250 for the Non-Resident Annual Pass, and non-U.S. residents ages 16 and older pay a $100 nonresident fee at 11 listed parks unless covered by that pass.
Does a national park pass cover camping?
No, not usually. The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees, but Recreation.gov says it does not cover camping, permit, or ticket reservations, as of November 2026.
Can one pass cover two motorcycles?
Yes. As of November 2026, an America the Beautiful pass covers up to two motorcycles at locations that charge by vehicle, according to Recreation.gov.
Do you still need timed-entry reservations if you have a pass?
Yes, if the park requires them. A pass covers the entrance fee, but it does not replace timed-entry reservations, parking reservations, shuttle tickets, or hiking permits.
Where should you check before you go?
Check the park’s official NPS fees page first. Then check Recreation.gov for digital passes, timed-entry systems, campground reservations, permits, and any trip-specific tickets.