If you’re planning a few park trips, the America the Beautiful Pass can cover your entrance fees. As of the NPS page updated July 15, 2026, it costs $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents.
For the bigger picture of planning a trip, start with the national parks guide.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual pass, U.S. resident | $80 |
| Annual pass, nonresident | $250 |
| Nonresident fee at 11 popular parks | $100 per person aged 16 or older |
| Who the $250 pass covers where fees are per person | The passholder plus three additional adults |
| Validity of a pass bought before January 1, 2026 | 12 months from the time of purchase |
These figures come from the National Park Service nonresident fees page. Fees and rules can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
What the pass covers
The America the Beautiful Pass is an annual pass that pays your entrance fees at sites that charge them. According to the NPS, every valid pass also covers the nonresident fee, whatever year it was issued.
Who is covered depends on how the site charges:
- At sites that charge per vehicle, the passholder and passengers in a private vehicle are covered.
- On motorcycles, the pass covers two motorcycles.
- Where fees are charged per person, the pass covers the passholder and three additional adults.
That makes it a group pass rather than a personal ticket. If you travel with friends or family, one pass can stand in for several separate payments.
How much does the pass cost?
The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture created a new pricing tier starting January 1, 2026. Per the NPS page, U.S. residents pay $80, while nonresidents pay $250.
The $250 nonresident pass covers the entire vehicle, two motorcycles, or the passholder plus three additional adults where fees are per person. That is the same group coverage described above.
Who pays the nonresident fee?
The nonresident fee is charged to each non-U.S. resident aged 16 and older who visits any of 11 of the most visited national parks. Visitors pay the standard entrance fee at these parks, plus $100 per person aged 16 or older, as the NPS explains.
The 11 parks named on the page are:
- Acadia
- Bryce Canyon
- Everglades
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Grand Teton
- Rocky Mountain
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Zion
Because the fee is per person, it adds up fast for a group of adults. A valid pass covers the nonresident fee for the passholder and the people travelling with them, so it can be worth comparing the totals before you arrive.
The NPS ties the fee to an Executive Order, Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks. The order says the money should be used to improve infrastructure or enhance enjoyment of and access to federal recreational areas.
Proving you qualify for the resident pass
To buy the resident annual pass, you need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or residency. The NPS lists these acceptable documents:
- A U.S. passport
- A driver’s license or state ID issued by a U.S. state or territory
- A Permanent Resident card, also called a green card
For digital passes, buyers show a photo ID at the time of use, which is the current practice for all annual passes. If the buyer is not eligible for the resident pass, they are asked to upgrade to the nonresident pass.
Older America the Beautiful passes and fee free days
If you already hold a pass, check the purchase date. The NPS says a valid annual pass bought before January 1, 2026, is valid for 12 months from the time of purchase and keeps its original terms. Details are on the NPS page.
Free-entrance days no longer work the same way for every visitor. The NPS page, last updated July 15, 2026, limits them to U.S. residents beginning in 2026, so travellers from abroad still pay the entrance fee and the nonresident fee as normal.
Planning your trip around the pass
A pass handles fees, not crowds or timing. Once you know what you will pay, read about the best time to visit national parks so your trip lines up with the season you want.
Some parks also ask for advance bookings in addition to an entrance fee. The guide to timed entry reservations national parks explains how those work.
Before you buy, run through this short checklist:
- Decide whether you qualify for the resident or nonresident price.
- Count the adults in your party and note whether the park charges per vehicle or per person.
- Check whether your route includes any of the 11 parks with the nonresident fee.
- Bring photo ID, since it is requested when a pass is used.
Frequently asked questions
Do nonresidents pay the $100 fee on top of the $250 pass?
Show answer
No. Per the NPS, a valid America the Beautiful Pass covers both entrance fees and nonresident fees for the passholder and passengers in a private vehicle or on two motorcycles.
Can a nonresident buy the $80 pass?
Show answer
No. The resident pass requires proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, and a buyer who is not eligible is asked to upgrade to the nonresident pass.
Who can use fee free days?
Show answer
As of the NPS page last updated July 15, 2026, fee free days beginning in 2026 are only for U.S. residents. Non-U.S. residents pay normal fees.
Is a pass bought before 2026 still valid?
Show answer
Yes, for 12 months from the time of purchase and with its original terms, according to the NPS.
