The National Park Service has announced new entrance fee requirements that will affect international visitors to select, high-visitation national parks beginning in 2026. While these changes do not directly impact national parks in the Black Hills and Badlands, they will affect parks that are commonly included in travel itineraries alongside our region, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier.
Under the new policy, non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older will be charged an additional $100 per person when entering certain national parks that currently charge an entrance fee. This fee applies whether visitors enter independently or as part of a commercial tour, including motorcoach and other road-based group travel.
In positive news for international travelers, the National Park Service has introduced a new America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass, available beginning January 1, 2026, for $250. The pass covers the $100 non-resident fee for the pass holder as well as the non-resident fee for up to three additional adults aged 16 and older traveling with the pass holder, and it applies to both individual visitors and those traveling as part of a commercial tour group. For international visitors planning multi-park itineraries, this pass can significantly reduce costs and make U.S. national park travel more affordable than initially anticipated.
According to the National Tour Association, industry groups have been actively advocating on behalf of tour operators and have already secured important clarifications regarding how the new pass applies to commercial groups. Advocacy efforts are ongoing, including requests for a delay in implementation for commercial tours due to the immediate financial impacts of the fee changes.
Although the Black Hills and Badlands are not directly impacted by the new fee, the change may influence travel planning for international visitors to the region. Tourism businesses and tour operators working with international travelers should be aware of the new fee structure and the availability of the Non-Resident Annual Pass when planning and communicating with clients.
More information on national park entrance fees and passes is available on the National Park Service website. Commercial Tours and Nonresident Fees Frequently Asked Questions (U.S. National Park Service)