Annual National Parks Pass (page 1 of 3)

Hi everyone.

I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.

So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.

This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.

Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks... For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400, which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.). Total madness.

The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.

Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!

That’s all for now.

Thanks for the info. It really puts a damper on the fun of visiting the US...

This is insane. It won’t change the fact that die-hard fans will get the Pass to avoid the huge surcharges if they don’t have the $250 Pass. I don’t think I mentioned it in my first post, but the surcharges are normally for those who don’t have the Pass.

Still, though. An increase from $80 to $250 is ridiculous 😂 Thanks, Donald

That’s insane. It won’t change the fact that frequent visitors will get the Pass to avoid the huge surcharges if they don’t have this $250 Pass. I don’t think I mentioned it in my first post, but the surcharges are normally for those who don’t have the Pass.

Still, though. An increase from $80 to $250 is ridiculous Thanks, Donald

Unfortunately, we’ll be paying the $250. I’ve got my trip funded for this summer—Texas, New Mexico, Arizona—I’m taking it in stride, though. I’ll just eat less...

What can you say.

So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's definitely worth buying your pass in December 2025, since it'll still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you buy it in December 2025.

I looked into it for our trip this summer (2025) and couldn't find a way to buy it by mail in advance. Is that possible?

So if you're planning to leave before the end of December 2026, it's definitely worth buying your pass in December 2025, since it'll still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you buy it in December 2025.

I looked into it for our trip this summer (2025) and couldn't find a way to buy it by mail in advance. Is it possible?

The Pass is bought on-site for "foreigners." No other way to do it. 🙁

This kind? https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/annual

This kind? https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/annual

Yeah. And unless things have changed, no way to get it from France. Gonna give it a shot anyway.

This kind? https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/annual

Well, it’s been available since 11/20! Isn’t life great?😎 Thanks for the info!

Yeah, sorry I didn’t include that info, but I think you can do it digitally so it’s available for everyone.

here:

https://www.recreation.gov/interagency-pass/types/annual

😉

Good call! Thanks! !

Thanks for the info. Either I missed it, or it wasn’t available when I did my research in the spring.

Yeah, sorry—I didn’t include that info, but I think you can do it digitally so it’s available for everyone.

Donald is really great!! 😎😎

Thanks for the info—yeah, not super nice…

And on top of that, if the free days aren’t free anymore for non-residents, I’ve taken advantage of them several times. Bummer.

Personally, no way I’m paying 250 €, so we won’t be going to those parks anymore. We’ll pick state parks and free spots instead… maybe head back to cities and skip the West!

Well, but since we’re raising the Louvre price by 45% for non-EU visitors here, we can’t really lecture anyone…

Okay, but given that we’re raising the Louvre’s prices by 45% for non-EU visitors, we can’t really talk...

Starting January 2026, five major French cultural sites will apply higher rates for tourists from outside the Old Continent. The Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, Paris Opera, and Chambord Castle.

https://www.capital.fr/votre-argent/musee-du-louvre-versailles-les-prix-vont-exploser-pour-certains-visiteurs-des-janvier-2026-1521350

Yeah, but in principle, national parks in France are 100% free for foreigners, and it's us who pay for their upkeep with our taxes... So it's not very cool. But I don’t find it any nicer to charge foreigners more either... We might as well create an ESTA equivalent for entering French territory. That, on the other hand, would seem logical to me. The EU plans to introduce ETIAS for 7 €. For one thing, that’s not expensive enough, and for another, we’ll never see a cent of it. At least a portion of that ETIAS fee should go to the country the traveler visits...

Done! Ordered, paid, and received! Basta Cosi! 😉

It’s sad, but after 18 road trips across the USA ;) I think I’ll take a long break. I don’t feel like going back to a country where I don’t feel welcome right now... Never thought I’d say that one day...

It’s sad, but after 18 road trips in the USA 😉, I think I need a long break. I don’t feel like going back to a country where I don’t feel welcome right now... I never thought I’d say that one day...

I understand where you’re coming from. There are also countries I don’t or no longer visit, for specific reasons, of course. 😉 We can always try to distinguish between the leaders and the people, but sometimes you just need to take a break.

And while waiting for the RT August 2026 in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, we’re going to spend the last five days of the year in Rapallo, Ligurian Coast, once again! 😎 I’ll be able to set off fireworks on the beach on the 31st!! 😎