Annual National Parks Pass

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!! 😎

I got a ticket to recharge with my family in Réunion. It’s gonna be a relaxed vibe with Réunionese food, hikes, and chilling.

We’ll see in 2027. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I won’t get the pass anyway. I’ll avoid national parks.

There was a time when the cost of living, hotels, and car rentals were affordable, and tourist spots weren’t overrun with visitors. I’ve seen the changes since my first road trip in 1992.

I feel like the USA as a destination is losing more and more of its appeal.

The American West still has places to discover, but you have to know where to go and venture off the beaten path.

I had my next road trip planned for next year (I’m getting older...), but I’m less and less convinced.

Still, let’s not discourage newcomers from visiting these places that we’ve loved so much.

Hey, sorry to say this, but the inflationary push in the U.S. economy isn’t over yet. Compared to when we see how much tech workers in Silicon Valley are paid, it obviously has an impact on the prices of everyday goods and rent. The problem is that Americans want the same standard of living as Switzerland or Norway, which seems tough to me. So, moral of the story: enjoy the U.S. before prices get too high.

So the moral is: enjoy the USA before prices get too high.

...and while the dollar is weak against the euro...

...inflation should drop a bit with Trump’s latest measures: tax cuts on coffee, meat, etc.

...I just got back—it’s still doable to have a budget-friendly road trip in the West...

...and personally, for the holidays: Bangkok won’t be in the same price range as the US!

Yeah, I know, and honestly, it’s not even about the money. I just bought a ticket to Réunion that cost me twice as much as a round-trip to Los Angeles. It’s just the method I find insulting for those who come to discover the country. But that won’t stop me from going back to the US, of course. And if I don’t visit the national parks, I’ll go discover other wonders. 😉

Yeah, I kinda feel the same way. And for the first time in nearly 15 years, I’ve decided to change my destination. Of course, there are wonders outside the parks—I’ve seen quite a few in 18 trips. I’m just disappointed to see how lovers of the U.S. like me are being rewarded these days. But even at $250, the parks are still worth visiting. It’s just the way it’s being done that bothers me. Raising prices is fine… but 300%? 🤪

I’ve got one—or rather, two—countries to suggest to you. 😉

go! I'm all ears ;)

go! I'm listening 😉

Italy!! 😉 😎

And a Middle Eastern country that’s a bit unsettled right now.[;]

I’m not listening to you anymore! 😏

You know I’ve got Italy right here at my place every summer 😄

The Middle Eastern country you’re talking about—if it’s the one I’m thinking of—is incredible. It’s got landscapes that look totally US. But it’s too chaotic right now...

I’m aiming for Bolivia, but I’m too nervous to go alone. Same for Argentina. Otherwise, I’ll hit up the Nordic countries. There are some insane landscapes there.

I’m not listening to you anymore! 😏

You know I’ve got Italy at my place every summer 😄

The Middle Eastern country you’re talking about—if it’s the one I’m thinking of—is incredible. It’s got some really American-looking landscapes. But it’s too hectic right now...

I’m eyeing Bolivia, but I’m too nervous to go alone. Same with Argentina. Otherwise, I’ll hit up the Nordic countries. There are some insane landscapes there.

I was joking about Italy, you know that.

As for the Middle Eastern country, I spent 3 weeks there this summer, and it was really calm. Just one Houthi missile alert the night we arrived at the restaurant! 😎

I’d love to go to Argentina too. But hey, I’m getting older. We’re taking it easier these days.[;]

Hey,

It’s sad, but 18 road trips to the USA ;) and 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... I never thought I’d say that one day...

Same here 😢 First trip in 1985 and the last one in 2024. A chapter is closing, but I hope it’s just temporary 🤞

And reading this isn’t going to help 😢

Planning a trip to the USA? The Trump administration now wants French travelers to provide their social media history - midilibre.fr

Yeah, I saw that. I think they mainly want the usernames used on Facebook, Instagram, etc. I already give them when applying for ESTA. But some people will definitely freak out 😄

And reading this won’t change that 😞

😮 😮 Thanks for the info. This just goes to show how much the US loves bureaucracy. Anyway, with generative AI platforms, you fill in the boxes asking for your username and your entire history pops up within minutes. It feels like we’re back in Soviet Union times. But thanks again for the info

Hi,

I was surprised not to see anything about this social media history thing yet. History of what? Public interventions? As for usernames, well, you don’t declare them anyway. Still, looking back, it’s good that the relevant authorities have always rejected the French government’s recent attempts to increase surveillance and ban anonymity. Truth is, France has no business lecturing Trump—he’s just pandering to his voters, after all.

Anyway, with generative AI platforms, you fill in the boxes asking for your username, and your entire history pops up within minutes.

No.

Michel

And reading this won’t change that 😞

😮 😮 It feels like we’re back in Soviet Union times.

You must’ve known it well, right?

But I honestly don’t find it any nicer to charge foreigners more...

France was pretty much the only place where pricing was the same for everyone.

In India, the Taj Mahal costs 10.37 € for a French (or Congolese, Brazilian, etc.) visitor but only 0.47 € for an Indian—whether they’re a billionaire or not. Entry to Borobudur: 20.42 € if your passport is French, 2.55 € if you’re Indonesian. The South African Wild Card: 236 € for me, 46.90 € for a South African (access to all parks in the program for one person for a year). A day pass for Serengeti: 59.55 € for you, 3.46 € for a Tanzanian (per person, just for one day...).

As for park pricing, it’s becoming more common in countries dealing with overtourism. Expensive upgrades are needed to protect sites from being destroyed by too many visitors. The other approach is quotas.

$80 was honestly a steal of the century. Even at $250, it’s still pretty affordable. It covers all passengers in the vehicle or at least 4 people for parks with individual pricing.

The sudden price hike is shocking, but otherwise, this isn’t an isolated case or an outrageous cost.

I’ll add that visa issuance costs can vary depending on nationality for some countries.

A French citizen can enter Chile for free, whereas it’ll cost Donald $160.

No.

I get that you spend your time contradicting people. But can we know why you wrote "no"?

I say no because it's false. Generative AI isn’t relevant at all for this kind of thing. An example? To give you an idea. I asked ChatGPT who founded VoyageForum:

"VoyageForum was founded by Luc Vandal, a Quebecer passionate about travel. He launched the site in 2000, initially as a personal project to help travelers exchange practical tips. Luc Vandal managed the site himself for a long time, actively involved in moderation, improving features, and building relationships with members. He’s known for defending an independent, community-driven vision of travel, far from purely commercial or traditional tourism models. The forum then grew in the 2000s and 2010s, becoming a must-visit spot for French-speaking travelers, especially those backpacking or going on round-the-world trips."

Michel

I’m saying no because it’s false.

1-First, I seriously doubt your actual IT skills. Do you even know what an RDBMS or an SQL query is? 2-Regardless, whether generative AI is used or not, US immigration services can tap into their databases and calculate some kind of scoring, similar to a credit score.

Hey folks,

I’m not a forum mod, but let’s be real—this place isn’t exactly buzzing right now (hope it picks up soon!!!), so let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot with discussions that might just drive away the few posters we’ve got left. Don’t you think?...

Sweet travel dreams to you all, Caussat

Hey folks,

I’m not a forum mod, but given that this place isn’t exactly buzzing with activity right now (fingers crossed it picks up again!!!), let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot with discussions that might just drive away the few members we’ve got left. Don’t you think?...

Sweet travel dreams to you all, Caussat

+1000

Plus, this whole social media thing is still just a proposal, so it’s a bit early for drama 😉

Hello,

You’re absolutely right to point out that this is just an announcement, a project, a political statement, and that, by the way, this whole "historic" claim doesn’t really hold up and isn’t very credible to informed minds. That said, where I disagree with you is on the idea of only talking about it when it’s too late; giving it reasonable coverage and sparking media—and then political—reaction isn’t the same as stirring up controversy.

Michel

Yeah, you're right, and anyway, the price increase won't stop me from going back to the US. I'm taking a break this year, but I had already planned this break before the decision to raise the pass price. Let's just say the current context convinced me not to go in 2026. But I didn’t say I wouldn’t go back. 😉

+10000! ...

All these constant arguments are exhausting.

Regarding the history feature, on one hand, it's still just a project. And on the other hand, even though it's been optional up to now, I've always filled in my networks before. Just because I'm just a tiny speck in the universe, and I think everyone really couldn't care less about my life!...

We need to keep things in perspective!... 😉

Yeah, you're right, and anyway, the price increase won't stop me from going back to the US.

You should still pay attention to the measures the U.S. government is taking. The difference from the French mentality is that if the U.S. government decides to revoke a certain number of visas, it does so.

Often in a brutal way. Same goes for deporting migrants who don’t have a work permit allowing them to work in the U.S.

Hi everyone,

Yeah, that’s a steep increase, but everything’s gotten extremely expensive in the US. They love money—it’s nothing new, but now it’s reaching new heights for everything (housing, food, etc.).

Still, you’ve got to compare the Louvre at 32 € vs. $35 for the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum in Seattle in 2024—that’s $70 for two for a visit that barely lasts an hour. So we ended up skipping the Museum of Pop Culture! 😅