WASHINGTON, Nov 26: The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will raise prices and introduce new fees for international visitors to US national parks starting January 1, citing increased costs and ongoing challenges at the National Park Service.

Under the changes, the annual park pass for nonresidents will more than triple from $80 to $250. Foreign tourists without an annual pass will also pay an additional $100 on top of the standard entrance fee to access the 11 most popular national parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Rocky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon. U.S. residents, including foreigners living in the country, will not be subject to the new fees.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement, emphasizing that the fee increases target nonresident tourists.

The move comes amid a notable decline in international tourism to the United States, particularly from Canadians, who have reduced travel in response to trade tensions and political rhetoric.

The National Park Service has also faced significant operational challenges under the Trump administration, operating without a permanent leader and losing nearly a quarter of its staff since 2017. Reports indicate that routine maintenance, guided tours, and visitor center operations have been reduced due to understaffing and budget constraints.

It remains unclear how the price increases will affect park visitation and revenue, as some popular parks have already lost millions of dollars this year due to limited staffing for entrance operations and fee collection.

The Interior Department noted that U.S. residents will continue to have free access to national parks on six federal holidays, the National Park Service’s birthday on August 25, and June 14, which is both President Trump’s birthday and Flag Day.