The Department of the Interior has announced several changes to national park access that will take effect on January 1, 2026. These updates include digital America the Beautiful passes, new artwork for annual passes, expanded motorcycle access, and a revised fee structure focused on U.S. residents.
According to the department, all types of America the Beautiful passes—Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access—will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors can purchase and use their passes instantly on mobile devices and link them to physical cards if needed. The department states that new digital validation tools and updated staff training will lead to faster entry at parks.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said, “President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first. These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
The department also revealed updated graphics for all annual passes with designs intended to honor American landscapes and heritage.
A new fee structure is being introduced as part of an "America-first" policy. U.S. residents will pay $80 for an Annual Pass while nonresidents will pay $250. Nonresidents without an annual pass must pay a $100 per person fee at 11 of the most visited national parks in addition to standard entrance fees.
There are also resident-only patriotic fee-free days planned for 2026: President’s Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 31), Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14), Independence Day weekend (July 3–5), the National Park Service's 110th birthday (August 25), Constitution Day (September 17), Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27), and Veteran’s Day (November 11).
For motorcycle riders, each America the Beautiful pass will now cover two motorcycles instead of one.
Revenue from these changes will be used for upgrades to visitor facilities and essential maintenance throughout America's national parks.
Further details about digital passes and pricing updates can be found at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm or Recreation.gov.
