National Parks Get a Price Hike: Who Pays More?

Big changes are coming to U. S. national parks. Starting next year, international visitors will pay a lot more to enter. The idea is to make sure they help take care of these special places. For Americans, there's a new annual pass with a familiar price tag. It's still $80, same as before. But there's a twist: it will feature portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump. The military pass will show Trump saluting troops. The government also announced new fee-free days in 2026. These days are for U. S. residents only. They include July 3, 4, and 5, plus Constitution Day and Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. The last fee-free day is Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday. The goal is to make parks more affordable for Americans while asking international visitors to pay more. But some people might wonder if this is the best way to preserve these natural treasures.