Foreign Visitors

[pehayes]

Do you know of any foreign visitors planning to tour the USA in 2026?  The National Park Service will institute a new fee structure on January 1.  Foreign visitors will pay the regular Natiional Park entry fee PLUS $100 per person surcharge.  Supposedly good for seven days.  Not clear if that seven days includes multiple parks or just the one park you've just entered.  Not clear if it is a fee per vehicle or for each separate person within or upon the vehicle.  Plenty of confusing details in Google searches.  If you know of anyone planning a moto tour ( I do ) you should alert them to study and keep up with the information.  Just FYI.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[PeteS]

If you know these folks and you have a Senior Park Pass (Previously known as a Golden Eagle Pass) or Veterans Park Pass take them in your vehicle and you all get in for free.

Pete

[Motormike]

Not to mention the extra rules for travel into the EU and UK.  ETIAS and ETA respectively. 

[rocker59]

"Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.  "

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/department-of-the-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access.htm

[ridingron]

Not meaning to poke the bear but I think that's just a bit overboard.

[Perazzimx14]

"Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.  "

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/department-of-the-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access.htm

Wonder what is the "greatest benefit" to the American taxpayer? Is it they get to pay 1000's or 10's of 1000's dollars a year in Federal tax and then have to pay an additional $80 to access what their tax dollars pay for? Seems like non-resident visitors have it cheap in comparison.

A group of us are planning a trip out west this year and I'll have to buy a annual pass and chaps my a55 to have to do so.

[PeteS]

An American Citizen 62 and older can get a lifetime pass for 80 bucks. Used to be less than 20 bucks but still a deal if you travel especially out west. We have used it a few times just to ride through Parks we had visited a few times previously, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, rather than ride around. Many Veterans can get a lifetime pass for free.
Check here to see if you qualify. Both passes allow you and three others in your vehicle free entrance to any US Park.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

Pete
 

[pehayes]

Check here to see if you qualify. Both passes allow you and three others in your vehicle free entrance to any US Park.

The devil is in the details.

Bear with me on a little story.  In 2024 I hosted a dozen Guzzi Falcone riders from Italy on a three week,4000 mile tour of California.  I have the aforementioned Lifetime Senior pass.
When we entered Yosemite we were allowed me and three other motorcycles on my card (as above if we had been in a car).  Everyone else, including our service van paid individual entry fee.
When we entered Sequoia/Kings Canyon I was allowed in on my card but everyone else paid individual entry fee because they weren't actually inside my vehicle.  Everyone including my wife Regina who was riding her own Guzzi EV along side me!  She could only get in free if she got on the back of my bike.
When we entered Joshua Tree the entire entourage, including the service van were all allowed in free under my one card.

WTF?  When I questioned the process I was advised that implementation and enforcement were at the sole discretion of the individual National Park Superintendent at each location.  Like ship's captain at sea, they have supreme authority.

So, what will happen when you or your foreign guests visit the US National Parks?  Crap shoot.  I only introduced this topic so that both locals and visitors would be aware of significant changes in the system with no assurance of consistency.  Forewarned is forearmed.

PS:  All of this applies to National Parks and Monuments operated by the Department of the Interior.  There are other southwest facilities under jurisdiction of Native American entities.  The National Park fee system and discount cards do not apply on those Native run facilities.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[PeteS]

All good to know. My use has been limited to myself and my wife on the bike. Not too many places east of Mississippi that I aware it will help. Smokey MT National Park had no entrance fee when we were there and not sure about Acadia in Maine as that was too many years ago.

Pete

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Wonder what is the "greatest benefit" to the American taxpayer? Is it they get to pay 1000's or 10's of 1000's dollars a year in Federal tax and then have to pay an additional $80 to access what their tax dollars pay for? Seems like non-resident visitors have it cheap in comparison.

A group of us are planning a trip out west this year and I'll have to buy a annual pass and chaps my a55 to have to do so.

Look at it as an investment if you're focused on the tax cost. The ROI is very high. In 2023 NPS received ~$3.5B in appropriations, it returned ~$55.6B to the US economy. I don't tend to look at it with that perspective, but even looking at it on a cost basis seems well worth it to me.

I expect this change will hurt tourism and local economies built around the parks, including the many small businesses, which could have an even larger social cost. I qualify for an Access Pass (disability), but still spend $80 each year to support the parks as they're by far my favorite attraction to experience while traveling by motorcycle across this grand country.

[Bulldog9]

Look at it as an investment if you're focused on the tax cost. The ROI is very high. In 2023 NPS received ~$3.5B in appropriations, it returned ~$55.6B to the US economy. I don't tend to look at it with that perspective, but even looking at it on a cost basis seems well worth it to me.

I expect this change will hurt tourism and local economies built around the parks, including the many small businesses, which could have an even larger social cost. I qualify for an Access Pass (disability), but still spend $80 each year to support the parks as they're by far my favorite attraction to experience while traveling by motorcycle across this grand country.

I have a buddy that's worked in the MPS for 20 years. He says one of the biggest complaints that the NPS gets every year. Are the bus loads of foreign tourists who come in sometimes in two and three bus caravans and flood the parks.

I imagine that this is designed to address this, not so much the individual family traveling abroad to see the beauty of our national parks.
 
But I think you're right, the second and third order effects of this may have impact. Not so much on the parks, but in the surrounding communities.

But I don't think this is very uncommon. When we were in Greece last summer, we had to pay entrance to a lot of the antiquity sites. Where are Greek and EU friends were able to show their ID and walk right in for free. It is what it is and a monetized society.

[rocker59]

I know we're talking Guzzisti, here (CHEAP), but sounds like the $250 annual park pass for international tourists will be something that they need to include in their list of things to buy and pay for.  Plane tickets, Hotels, Food, fuel, Park Pass.

If someone is coming over to ride a motorcycle around the west, visiting several national parks facilities, the $250 annual pass fee is a nominal cost.

The money brought in by the fees will help pay for staff and maintenance at the facilities. 

[vf84pc]

Tourist’s from the EU countries (the largest group) and other countries spend lot’s of $$$$ in the USA remember typical US vacation is 1-2 weeks in Europe they get a month. They are not doing this to help the parks or US citizens. They are doing it to starve the parks of Revenue so they can sell them off to the highest bidder see project 2025. I don’t want to get into politics because I believe the parks should be free, it costs more to collect the fees than they bring in. A family of four visiting the states going to Joshua tree will pay $1000.00? They will skip the visit.
Tourism collects Revenue, our anemic tourist office is called “l Love NY” it pales in comparison to Florida whose economy is driven by tourist $$$ over 59 Billion was spent in Orlando in 2024
Okay charge non US residents more but this was done to keep the regular Joe tourist out of the parks.

[yrunvs]

Tourist’s from the EU countries (the largest group) and other countries spend lot’s of $$$$ in the USA remember typical US vacation is 1-2 weeks in Europe they get a month. They are not doing this to help the parks or US citizens. They are doing it to starve the parks of Revenue so they can sell them off to the highest bidder see project 2025. I don’t want to get into politics because I believe the parks should be free, it costs more to collect the fees than they bring in. A family of four visiting the states going to Joshua tree will pay $1000.00? They will skip the visit.
Tourism collects Revenue, our anemic tourist office is called “l Love NY” it pales in comparison to Florida whose economy is driven by tourist $$$ over 59 Billion was spent in Orlando in 2024
Okay charge non US residents more but this was done to keep the regular Joe tourist out of the parks.

"I don't want to get into politics" then gets into politics

[TN Mark]

A foreigner touring the US on a vintage motorcycle and wanting to see some of America’s treasures isn’t compulsory. If they don’t like the cost, they don’t come or they can change your plans. I couldn’t care less. My concern is for the American citizen, America’s general health and American business.

[rocker59]

A family of four visiting the states going to Joshua tree will pay $1000.00? 

No, that's not what the website shows.  The website shows that a non-resident family would only be out $250, if they buy the non-resident annual pass:

"A new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will be available for $250"

(The annual America the Beautiful Passes cover four people and an auto.)

Of interest to the original post:  "America the Beautiful passes will cover entrance fees for up to two motorcycles."  So, up to four people and two motorcycles.



Changes to Entrance Fees and Passes in 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, changes to entrance fees and passes include:

Motorcycles:

America the Beautiful passes will cover entrance fees for up to two motorcycles.


Nonresidents of the United States:

A new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will be available for $250. All other America the Beautiful passes will be for US citizens and residents only.

Free entrance days will only apply to US citizens and residents. Non-residents must pay entrance and any nonresident fees unless they have the Non-Resident Annual Pass.

At the following national parks, nonresidents age 16 and older must pay a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the regular entrance fee, unless they have the Nonresident Annual Pass: Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.

This $100 nonresident fee at these parks also applies to nonresidents in commercial tour, commercial use authorization (CUA), and concessionaire tour groups, unless they use the Non-Resident Annual Pass.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

[Bulldog9]

A foreigner touring the US on a vintage motorcycle and wanting to see some of America’s treasures isn’t compulsory. If they don’t like the cost, they don’t come or they can change your plans. I couldn’t care less. My concern is for the American citizen, America’s general health and American business.

Gotta be honest here........... As a VET, and now retired, I haven't had to pay for National Park entrance for years. That said, we have intentionally stopped going because they are packed, overloaded, and not enjoyable. As much as I love our national parks and the beauty they preserve, until they stop being mobbed and flooded with 'tourons' we will pass. That said, there is SO MUCH beauty and amazing things to see and do in this country, that it wouldn't be that big of a deal for me if I had to pass due to $$$.

On our last trip to the 'Great Caldera" (IYKYK) we were plagued at every stop on the loop by busloads of people, and the roads were clogged with cars and busses. I was glad we took the car and not the MC into the park, it would have been miserable. Then lets talk about the Tourons who want to put their kid on a sleeping Bison or get a selfie with Elk......... If the fees cut down on traffic, it will be good for all, especially the parks.

[PeteS]

Overcrowding is likely one of the justifications for fee increase. Last I heard you needed a reservation just to get into Yosemite let alone get a camping spot. Other countries have the same problem. Italy wants to charge visitors to Venice and some sites in Rome. When we were there 6 years ago it was a 3 hour wait to get into the Colosseum or St Peters so we had to skip those.

Pete

[michaell32]

This practice isn't uncommon. When I lived in Florida, I would get a significantly better price to the amusement parks in Orlando(Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc) than a non-Florida resident. I never cared for most of them but they all made plenty of money. I would like less traffic sometimes in parks like Yellowstone. Last two times I went there people would stop their car in the middle of the road for over 10 minutes simply for a bison that was 50 yards off the road. It would back up over a mile.

[ridingron]

"...  Last two times I went there people would stop their car in the middle of the road for over 10 minutes simply for a bison that was 50 yards off the road. It would back up over a mile."

Having not been to a national park in over 20 years, are the roads so narrow that you can't go around the idiot? At 50 yards, about all you can say is I have seen a buffalo (as they are commonly called). Back in the mid 90's, I moved to a small town here in Florida. Every day I drove past a small pasture with 6-8 bison and a mule.

[Bulldog9]

"...  Last two times I went there people would stop their car in the middle of the road for over 10 minutes simply for a bison that was 50 yards off the road. It would back up over a mile."

Having not been to a national park in over 20 years, are the roads so narrow that you can't go around the idiot? At 50 yards, about all you can say is have seen a buffalo (as they are commonly called). Back in the mid 90's, I moved to a small town here in Florida. Every day I drove past a small pasture with 6-8 bison and a mule.

Most are two lanes, and there is so much traffic the other way AND rubber neckers and Tourons out of their cars because of the traffic, and to see the 'cute furry man killers' that traffic is at a standstill......... .. It's insane.

[TN Mark]

I love riding through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Similar situation now meaning way too many cars and people. It’s just not as much fun any longer. I’d be fine with a non-US citizen rate being $500 each if it would reduce the congestion.

I’ve been to all 50 US states and a dozen or so foreign countries. I love America more with each out of country business trip. As has been said, the US offers so very much to love and enjoy.

[fotoguzzi]

shake to flip coin

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

RMNP and Arches both have timed entry which has made for a more pleasant visitor experience recently, though it's a gamble to try to plan a trip through it in case you don't secure an entry time. My last time through Arches, on the V7 in September, I didn't have a timed entry but luckily was able to talk my way in.







If any of you have read Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire," he was complaining about too many visitors at Arches when he worked there back in the 1950s... Moab was also too busy for his liking. At that time, Arches didn't have paved roads, which kept a lot of folks out. He did have some interesting ideas though and not just complaints, such as a big parking lot outside the park, no *new* roads in the park, and maintain the existing roads strictly for staff, shuttle, and bicycle use. That has, to some extent (during busy season), been successfully implemented in Zion National Park.

When I visit GSMNP, the most visited of the parks, I tend to take that approach. Ditch the vehicle, travel by foot. It's around 71 miles on the Appalachian Trail to walk in one end of the park and out the other and IMO, if you're able to, that's the best way to experience it. GSMNP has historical legal reasons why it can't restrict access or charge for entry, so timed entry wouldn't be possible there.