A new $100 fee for foreign tourists entering US national parks has triggered chaos and frustration, with staff reporting long entry lines as citizenship checks are made and angry visitors regularly abandoning plans to visit some of America’s most treasured landscapes.
The fee system, introduced by the Trump administration from 1 January, has caught many visitors and National Park Service (NPS) staff off guard. Under the new rules, every non-US resident visiting any of 11 popular parks, including the Grand Canyon, Everglades and Yellowstone, must pay the $100 surcharge on top of the existing entrance fee. The annual pass for non-residents has also jumped from $80 to $250.
NPS staff told the Guardian that this has led to anger and confusion at several parks. A staffer at a major western park said some cars face costs of $600 or more, with many people turning around or becoming aggressive. Another worker described asking for passports or green cards as 'awkward', noting that even American visitors criticise the policy once informed.
Environmental advocates have filed a lawsuit arguing the tiered fees are illegal under federal law. The NPS defended the move, saying foreign visitors should 'pay their fair share' for park upkeep, but staff warn the policy risks deterring tourists for decades. The NPS acknowledged it is too early to assess revenue or visitor impact.
The agency has also been struggling with staffing shortages, having lost about a quarter of its workforce amid the administration’s efforts to reduce the federal government. Staff described being overworked and burnt out, with the new fee adding to the strain. The Center for Biological Diversity, which brought the legal challenge, claims the changes were made hastily and unlawfully.
