With our economy continuing to decline and people having to stretch their paychecks even further, they are traveling closer to home - particularly to our national parks. In 2025, over 300 million people visited our national parks, indicating a trend of high visitation.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains the most visited, with over 12 million visits annually.
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At the same time, the government continues to slash funding to our national parks which only compounds the problem as declining numbers of park staff continue to grapple with the new trend of high visitation.
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Therefore, many new changes have been implemented for 2026 in an effort to control this problem.
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Significant changes to national parks in 2026 include the introduction of digital passes, new fee structures, and expanded access initiatives aimed at enhancing visitor experience and affordability.
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Key Changes Coming in 2026
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Digital Passes: Starting January 1, 2026, all America the Beautiful passes—including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access passes—will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors can purchase and store these passes on their mobile devices, allowing for quicker entry and convenience.
Fee Structure Adjustments:
​​U.S. Residents: The cost for the Annual Pass will remain at $80 for U.S. residents.
International Visitors: A new fee of $250 will be implemented for international visitors purchasing the America the Beautiful pass. Additionally, those without the pass will incur a $100 per-person surcharge to enter some of the most popular national parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon.
Expanded Fee-Free Days: The National Park Service will introduce new "resident-only patriotic fee-free days," increasing the total number of free admission days to 10 throughout the year. These days will include significant federal holidays and historic dates, such as Independence Day weekend and Theodore Roosevelt's birthday.
Modernization Efforts: The changes aim to modernize park access, making it more efficient and user-friendly. This includes improved digital validation tools and updated training for park staff to ensure a smoother visitor experience.
These changes reflect a commitment to making national parks more accessible and affordable for American families while ensuring that international visitors contribute fairly to the maintenance and improvement of these treasured landscapes.
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However, this is both good news and bad new for park goers. Due to this influx of visitors it's much harder to get accommodations within the parks themselves, for example. Plan on making reservations for in-park accommodations months in advance, for example. It also means you will be dealing with large crowds duirng the peak tourist season in the parks.
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Managing Visiting Our National Parks
To manage your visit to national parks effectively, consider the following tips:
Plan Ahead: Check the park's website and plan your visit based on the park's operating hours and any special programs or events.
Be Prepared: Pack appropriate clothing, footwear, and necessary gear for the weather and activities you plan to do.
Reserve Activities: Some parks offer timed-entry or reservation systems for popular activities, so plan accordingly.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations for visiting national parks.
Support the Parks: Consider ways to support the national parks through donations or volunteering to help preserve these natural treasures.
By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the national parks, contributing to the preservation of these invaluable resources for future generations.