Commercial Tours and Nonresident Fees Frequently Asked Questions

What is a nonresident fee?

President Trump’s Executive Order Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks directed the Secretary of Interior to develop “a strategy to increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks by appropriately increasing entrance fees and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas of the National Park System that charge entrance fees.” The Executive Order directs that these fees be used “to improve the infrastructure of, or otherwise enhance enjoyment of or access to, America’s Federal recreational areas.”

The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture have created a nonresident fee that will be charged to each non-U.S. resident aged 16 and older that visits any of 11 of the most visited national parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. Non-U.S. residents will pay the standard entrance fee at each of these parks, plus a $100 fee per person aged 16 or older.

How does the nonresident fee work for tours?

Nonresident fees are applicable to any non-U.S. residents entering the 11 national parks where these fees are charged. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

How many people are covered by a nonresident fee?

Each non-U.S. resident aged 16 and over will be charged the $100 nonresident fee. This is a per-person fee.

Is there a pass that will cover the nonresident fee?

Yes. There is a new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass that is available for purchase for $250 beginning January 1, 2026. Nonresidents who have an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will not be charged the individual nonresident fee when entering one of the nonresident fee parks either privately or as part of a commercial group. The pass will also cover the nonresident fees for three additional adults in the pass holder’s party.

How does a fee collector determine whether tour participants are U.S. residents or not?

To purchase an America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass, a visitor will need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or residency. Acceptable documents include a U.S. Passport, U.S. government (state or territory)-issued driver's license or state ID, or Permanent Residency card ("green card"). Anyone may purchase the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass.

Commercial tour companies and CUA companies will be expected to know the number of nonresidents and America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass holders prior to entering a park so they can provide this information to the fee collector.

Do passes apply to commercial road-based tour groups?

Yes. Any non-U.S. resident entering a park with nonresident fees will be charged the $100 fee, unless they have an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. The America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass covers the nonresident fee for the pass holder plus three additional nonresidents aged 16 and older when they are part of a commercial group.

Learn more about entrance fees and pass at national parks.