Worldwide vacationers must pay a $100 surcharge to go to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park beginning on Jan. 1 underneath a brand new coverage introduced Tuesday by the Trump administration.
The brand new “America-first” charge for overseas guests comes because the federal authorities has ramped up mass deportations and as preliminary knowledge has confirmed tourism in Colorado — each when it comes to income and jobs — has flattened since 2023.
“President Trump’s management at all times places American households first,” mentioned Inside Secretary Doug Burgum in an announcement. “These insurance policies make sure that U.S. taxpayers, who already assist the Nationwide Park System, proceed to get pleasure from inexpensive entry, whereas worldwide guests contribute their justifiable share to sustaining and enhancing our parks for future generations.”
At the moment, it prices between $15 and $35 for anybody — U.S. resident or overseas vacationer — to enter Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, which obtained 4.1 million guests in 2024.
Worldwide vacationers must pay the surcharge when visiting 11 of essentially the most visited parks within the U.S., together with Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, Grand Teton Nationwide Park and Yellowstone Nationwide Park, in line with the Nationwide Park Service’s web site.
Beginning Jan. 1, overseas guests will even pay greater than U.S. residents for annual passes to the nation’s nationwide parks. Worldwide vacationers must pay $250, whereas residents can pay $80, in line with the U.S. Division of the Inside.
The cash made off the brand new charges will assist assist the nationwide parks, together with with upgrading services for guests and upkeep, in line with the assertion.
The brand new charge follows a July government order by which President Trump directed the parks to extend entry charges for overseas vacationers.
“There’s quite a bit to unpack on this announcement, together with many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will elevate with the Division of Inside,” Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for Nationwide Parks Conservation Affiliation, mentioned in an electronic mail to the Related Press.
The U.S. Journey Affiliation estimated that in 2018, nationwide parks and monuments noticed greater than 14 million worldwide guests.
The company will even make it free for U.S. residents to go to nationwide parks, together with Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, on seven particular days in 2026, together with Memorial Day on Might 25, Flag Day/President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday on Oct. 27 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11, in line with the information launch.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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