Montana Included In The New National Park Fees Starting 2026

It seems like our National Parks have been in the headlines quite a bit for 2025. Here in Montana we mainly hear about Yellowstone and Glacier, but with the government shutdown that happened this year, parks all over the country found themselves in the spotlight. Now, as we get ready to close out 2025, National Parks are already making news again, and this time it is for a whole different reason. Starting January 1, visitors from outside the United States will see some major changes.

According to the Department of the Interior, foreign tourists visiting some of the country's most popular parks will soon be paying an additional $100 on top of standard entrance fees. This new charge applies to 11 major parks (Yes that includes Yellowstone and Glacier) and is aimed at increasing revenue without raising costs for American families. The department says the goal is to keep access affordable for US citizens and permanent residents while ensuring international travelers help support the upkeep of these heavily visited areas. You can read the full announcement from the DOI here.

The changes do not stop there. Beginning in 2026, non-residents will also see the cost of an annual pass jump to more than $250, while US citizens will continue to pay $80. The Interior Department says the increased fees will support conservation efforts, long term maintenance, and improvements across the National Park System.

There will also be 8 resident only, fee free days in 2026, tied to holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.

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National Parks continue to experience record visitation, with more than 331 million people exploring the parks in 2024. With these new fees set to roll out soon, it is clear 2026 will bring another big chapter for America's National Parks.