The $100 nonresident fee: 11 parks, per person, since 2026

Since January 1, 2026, every visitor aged 16 or older who does not live in the United States pays$100 at each of 11 national parks, in addition to the normal entrance fee. A couple from London driving into Yellowstone now pays $235 at the gate instead of $35.

The fee disappears when the group enters with an annual pass: the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass, or any America the Beautiful pass held by someone in the car.

Who pays, who doesn’t

• Pays: each non-US resident aged 16+, at each of the 11 parks. That includes Canadians, Mexicans and every overseas visitor who lives outside the US.
• Pays on a tour: nonresidents in commercial tours, CUA groups and concessioner tours pay it too, unless they hold the Non-Resident Annual Pass (NPS, commercial tours).
• Doesn’t pay: children under 16, US citizens and US residents (green card holders included), and anyone entering with a valid annual pass or with a pass holder.
• Not settled by NPS: US citizens living abroad. The resident pass is sold to "US citizens and residents" and a US passport is accepted as proof, but the fee is worded for "non-U.S. residents". The FAQ does not address this case; ask at the entrance station.
• No exemption on free days: since 2026 the fee-free days are for US residents only.

How a pass cancels it

The NPS FAQ is explicit: "all valid America the Beautiful Passes and park-specific annual passes will cover entrance fees and nonresident fees for the pass holder and passengers in a private vehicle or on two motorcycles. At sites that charge per person, [they] will cover entrance fees and nonresident fees for the pass holder and three additional adults."

Three consequences that forum threads often miss:

1. A park’s own annual pass also works. Yosemite sells one ($70), but it is sold to US citizens and residents only, so it helps a nonresident only if a US resident in the car holds it.
2. Travelling with a US resident changes everything. If your cousin in Denver buys the $80 resident pass and drives, the whole car is covered at all 11 parks.
3. On foot or on a shuttle, count heads. One pass covers four adults. A fifth nonresident adult pays the per-person entrance fee plus $100.

Sources

• NPS – Nonresident Fees (FAQ), last updated July 15, 2026.
• NPS – Entrance Passes, last updated January 5, 2026.
• Park fees: NPS Data API (feespasses), fee type "Nonresident", cross-checked with the list above on every build.