Parks Group Demands Halt to National Park Fee Changes Targeting Non-Residents After Weeks of Confusion and Disorder

Washington, DC – The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is demanding Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum halt the implementation of the National Park Service’s non-resident fee policy changes until numerous challenges for park staff and visitors can be addressed. Since the new policy went into effect on January 1, 2026, reports from park staff, visitors and partner organizations confirm what NCPA feared from the moment it was announced: The non-resident fee increase is contributing to long wait times and delays to enter already busy parks. And these challenges will only intensify as park visitation increases in the spring and summer seasons.

The new fee policy was announced and rolled out in less than six weeks, leaving no time for public input or to educate park visitors, concessioners, gateway communities or partners about its potential impacts. In our most recent letter to Secretary Burgum, NPCA documented numerous challenges and real-world impacts reported firsthand by those on the ground:

• There has been confusion at entrance stations, especially as park staff try to help international visitors who do not speak English understand the complex new fee policy.
• This is exacerbating long lines and delays at busy parks for residents and non-residents alike.
• Visitors have expressed uncertainty about where the fee increases apply, how it applies if visiting multiple parks, and more.
• Visitors are concerned they will be asked for identification at entrance stations, and law enforcement might get involved if they do not provide it. As a result, non-residents and residents are choosing not to visit their national parks in fear of having a negative experience with law enforcement.
• Families traveling from abroad are choosing not to enter parks due to the high cost of non-resident entrance fees. For example, a family of five would pay nearly $400 to visit the park, more than four times the amount that would have been charged prior to January 1, 2026.
• International tour companies report cancellations and delayed bookings due to the non-resident surcharge. Lodges and adventure tour operators are seeing declines and fear long-term impacts. Gateway communities are concerned and have expressed a need for more time to assess the policy’s effects on local tourism.
• There is a lack of information about how revenue from the new fees and digital passes will be allocated. Annual fee revenue has long been a predictable source of revenue for many parks for vital services, such as shuttles and visitor services staff.

The guidance issued by the Interior Department following a July executive order – Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks – directed the National Park Service to raise entrance and recreation pass fees for non-residents and introduce new digital America the Beautiful passes. NPCA and park advocates across the country immediately expressed concerns about this new policy, especially about implementation amid the Park Service’s severe staffing shortage, including fee collectors and IT specialists. And just weeks after implementation, the resulting confusion and disorder have made it clear that the policy was rushed into effect without adequate analysis or public input, placing additional strain on both park staff and visitors.

Entrance and recreation fees are vital to keeping national parks running, funding everything from trail repairs and educational programs to law enforcement and visitor services. After years of chronic underfunding, our national parks increasingly rely on these fees. But NPCA believes fees should never become a barrier that keeps people from experiencing America’s most iconic places.

Statement by Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“After weeks of chaos and confusion, it’s painfully obvious that the new non-resident fee policy needs to be put on hold until the challenges facing park staff and visitors are addressed.

“This is an absolute mess and was entirely predictable given the lack of transparency, public input and analysis of real-world impacts. Secretary Burgum’s new fee policy pulled the rug out from under park staff and visitors at the worst possible time. Park staff were forced to implement sweeping changes with virtually no guidance or time to plan. Lines at already busy parks are growing. Many visitors are confused while others are staying away entirely. And local businesses are losing money.

“The Park Service is stretched to the breaking point after losing a quarter of permanent positions since January 2025, including the very people needed to implement this policy. Requiring fee collectors to verify residency at already congested parks is worsening delays and causing chaos.

“With peak park season quickly approaching and America’s 250th anniversary drawing visitors nationwide, now is not the time to push a flawed policy. Secretary Burgum must halt this policy until it’s fixed and no longer strains the people who serve and protect our parks or keeps people from enjoying beloved places. NPCA stands ready to work with Secretary Burgum to find a solution that maintains park access while ensuring high-quality experiences.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.