2026 is quickly approaching and visitors are already planning their national park vacations. But something will change next year.
As in the past, there will be several free days in 2026. However, these designated days can look a lot different. National parks will also become more expensive for international visitors, annual passes will have a new digital format, and more.
“This year, we will make it easier and more affordable for every American to experience the beauty and freedom of our public lands,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a video posted to X. “These changes reflect our commitment to affordability so that every family in every corner of our country can share in the wonder and richness of our public lands.”
These are the big changes that national park visitors should be aware of heading into 2026.
Change dates for free
In 2026, the number of free days will be increased from 6 days in previous years to 10 days. But with the exception of Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, these days are completely different from the days chosen in 2025.
Free days in 2026 include:
- Presidents Day: February 16
- Memorial Day: May 25
- Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s Birthday: June 14
- Independence Day Weekend: July 3-5
- National Park Service 110th Anniversary: August 25
- Constitution Day: September 17
- Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday: October 27
- Veterans Day: November 11
Next year, the NPS will not celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, the first day of National Parks Week, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act or National Public Lands Day by waiving admission fees as it did in 2025.
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The Interior Department also plans to limit the free days to U.S. residents only, prohibiting international visitors from taking advantage.
Not all national parks have daily fees. Some parks, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, charge no admission fees but charge for other services such as parking. Other parks, such as Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, are free year-round.
New costs for international tourists
Starting Jan. 1, it will become more expensive for non-U.S. residents to visit the most popular national parks, according to DOI. That’s thanks to the National Park Service’s plan to impose a $100 fee on top of the normal admission fee, which the Trump administration calls “America First Pricing.”
“These policies ensure that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System continue to enjoy affordable admission, while international visitors make their fair share of maintaining and improving our parks for generations to come,” Burgum said in a statement.
The policy applies to foreign visitors 16 and older who visit one of the following 11 parks: Acadia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Zion National Park.
International visitors who plan to visit multiple parks can purchase annual passes, but annual passes also cost more for non-residents ($250) than for visitors who live in the United States ($80).
To enforce the new rules, visitors will be required to show U.S. government-issued photo ID at national park entrances, KQED reported. If they don’t, they’ll need to pay the increased fee.
New digital passes and content
For U.S. citizens and residents, an annual America the Beautiful pass will still cost $80 through 2026. A digital download will be available next year that pass holders can store in their Recreation.gov account, mobile app or mobile wallet.
Pass holders who prefer a physical pass can still order one, but please note that this will incur an additional shipping and handling fee of $7.50. Travelers can also pick up physical passes in person at more than 1,000 locations across the country.
Starting in 2026, each pass will include new motorcycle access, with room for two motorcycles per pass.
New graphics for annual passes
In years past, annual passes have included images of the wildlife or natural beauty that make America’s national parks worth visiting. This year, however, the Interior Department said it would offer new “bold, patriotic designs” including images of Trump himself.
According to a rendering shared by Burgum, Trump’s face will adorn the annual ticket, with an image of George Washington behind him. Trump will also appear on the 2026 military annual ticket, facing toward the rear and saluting.
Legal experts have questioned the legality of placing Trump’s face on the annual ticket, as the images are typically chosen through annual contests, SFGate reported.
“The National Park Recreation Pass Act enacted by Congress is clear in requiring an annual public image contest to help educate the public about national parks and public lands, which clearly precludes the use of the pass and our parks as a political tool,” Robert Keiter, a professor of natural resources law at the University of Utah, told SFGate. “As set forth in the National Parks Organic Act of 1916, these parks are and should be important nonpartisan venues for all Americans.”
Going forward, pass holders who prefer the old pass’s imagery should purchase it as soon as possible. Each pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase to the end of the same month of the following year. Passengers who purchase a pass in December 2025 can use it within the following year.
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