National Park Fee-Free Days and Annual Pass Changes for 2026
The National Park Service has announced some new policies heading into the new year.
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With 2026 just around the corner, the National Park Service has announced its fee-free entry days for the year ahead, along with a few policy changes that could impact some visitors. Here’s what you’ll need to know heading into the new year.
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National Park Fee-Free Entry Days for 2026
Each year, the National Park Service announces several dates on which the usual entry fee for all national parks is waived, making them free to visit on those specific days. This year, that list includes the following:
- President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
- Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
- Flag Day/President Trump’s Birthday (June 14, 2026)
- Independence Day Weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
- 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
- Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
- Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)
It should be noted that two days that were fee-free in the past are no longer included in the 2026 list. Those are Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) and Juneteenth (June 19). Both have been dropped in favor of other dates instead. Also of note, only residents of the US will receive free entry on the above dates, which falls in line with the next announcement regarding entry fees found below.
It should be noted, that while some have taken issues with these changes for a variety of reasons, but the number of national park fee-free days for 2026 is actually higher than it was in 2025.
Annual Pass and Daily Entry Fees Increase for Foreign Travelers
The National Park Service has also announced a new pricing structure for foreign travelers planning to visit the national parks in 2026 and beyond. Starting next year, the cost of an annual pass for non-US citizens will increase from $80 to $250.
Additionally, the NPS announced that nonresidents who don’t purchase an annual pass will pay $100 per person to enter ten of the most popular national parks. Those include Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. That makes purchasing the annual pass a much better deal, even if travelers are only coming for a day or two.
The America the Beautiful annual pass remains $80 for US citizens to purchase.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
IDs Now Required
In an effort to enforce these new policies, government-issued photo IDs will now be required for all national park visitors over the age of 16. Valid IDs include a driver’s license, official state ID, or passport. These forms of identification are required to verify annual pass holders and US residents when determining the price of entry fees.
The National Park Service has already warned travelers that these new requirements could lead to longer lines and delays at park entrances. Keep that in mind when planning your visits in 2026 and beyond.
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Digital Passes are Coming
As part of its plan to modernize the National Park Service, the US Department of the Interior has announced that it will begin issuing annual passes in a digital format starting January 1, 2026. This will allow visitors to easily purchase their passes online and securely store them electronically on their mobile devices. This will hopefully speed up entry at the various national parks, potentially alleviating the long lines and delays mentioned above.
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Plan Ahead
While the biggest changes coming to the national parks are the higher fees for foreign travelers, all visitors are encouraged to plan ahead when visiting these iconic destinations. That includes buying your annual pass well ahead of any visits to a park and being prepared to wait in line before entering. Also, make sure everyone in the car who is older than 16 has a proper ID with them, or they may not be allowed to enter.
As noted above, foreign visitors would be better served by purchasing an annual pass, particularly if the group size is larger than two or they plan on visiting more than one park. The price of admission may be going up, but these destinations are still worth visiting.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
