National Park Pass Residency Requirements 2026

Here’s the 2026 breakdown of National Park pass residency requirements — what you must know before you visit any U.S. national parks and use an America the Beautiful pass or pay entry fees this year.

🇺🇸 1. Different Pricing for Residents vs. Non-Residents

Starting January 1, 2026, the NPS enforces a two-tier fee system based on residency:

🟢 U.S. Residents

• Annual America the Beautiful pass: $80

• Free/discounted passes (senior, military, access, volunteer, etc.) still available with resident eligibility

• Only U.S. residents qualify for resident pricing and resident only fee-free days.

🔴 Non-U.S. Residents

• Annual America the Beautiful pass: $250 for non-residents

• If you don’t buy the $250 pass and visit one of the most-visited parks listed below, you’ll be charged an extra $100 per person on top of regular entrance fees.

❗ This is the first time a higher price tier for non-residents has been implemented, and it applies to both annual passes and some per-visit fees.

🧾 2. How Residency Is Verified

To qualify for the U.S. resident pass price ($80) or resident fee-free days:

Acceptable Proof (typically required)

• U.S. driver’s license or state ID

• U.S. passport

• U.S. military ID

• Permanent resident card (green card)

Sites may ask to verify residency at the entrance booth — so carry your photo ID.

💡 Tip: Expect longer lines because staff may ask visitors aged 16+ to show photo ID — even if you already have a valid annual pass.

🏞️ 3. Non-Resident Fees at Popular Parks

At 11 major parks, non-U.S. residents without the annual pass face an additional per-person fee of $100 on top of basic entrance charges.

These parks include:

• Acadia

• Bryce Canyon

• Everglades

• Glacier

• Grand Canyon

• Grand Teton

• Rocky Mountain

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon

• Yellowstone

• Yosemite

• Zion

📌 If you’re an international visitor planning to visit multiple parks, buying the $250 non-resident annual pass waives the per-visit surcharge at these parks.

🗓️ 4. Fee-Free Days & Residency

In 2026, some holidays offer free entry to national parks on select days, but only U.S. citizens and residents qualify for fee-free entry on those dates. Non-residents must pay normal fees and any applicable surcharge even on those days.

🪪 5. Annual Pass Options & Residency

Here are the main pass types and who qualifies:

U.S. Resident Passes

• America the Beautiful Annual Pass — $80

• Senior/Lifetime Resident Passes — discounted or free with proof

• Military and Access Passes — eligible residents get special pricing or free passes

Non-Resident Pass

• America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass — $250
  (Covers entry and surcharge for eligible parks for the pass holder and up to 3 additional adults when visiting on a commercial or group tour)

🧠 Important: A U.S. resident’s annual pass still covers normal entrance fees for passengers in their vehicle, but it does not cover the non-resident surcharge for non-U.S. passengers if visiting parks that charge it.

🧠 6. Why These Residency Requirements Matter

These changes — effective 2026 — are part of a new “America-first” pricing strategy aimed at prioritizing U.S. taxpayers while boosting revenue for park maintenance and improvements. They have been controversial because they apply differential pricing based on residency and involve ID checks at entrances.

Critics argue that residency-based fees may discourage international tourism and challenge legal norms for federal lands, prompting ongoing debate and even legal challenges.

📌 Quick Residency Requirements Summary

📍 Photo ID and proof of residency may be asked at park entrances for anyone age 16+.