🌲 Visiting U.S. National Parks? Canadians Might Be Paying More Soon 🇺🇸💸

Heads up, Canadian adventurers! If you've been dreaming of a scenic summer road trip down south — think Grand Canyon selfies or a Yellowstone campfire moment — you might want to budget a little extra for park entry.

Here’s the scoop:
The White House announced on July 3 that President Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise entry fees for all foreign tourists visiting U.S. national parks — and yes, that includes us friendly folks from Canada.

💰 What’s Changing?

Starting in 2026, international visitors will face a new surcharge when entering certain U.S. national parks.

• 🎟️ Only foreign visitors will pay the extra fee

• 🇺🇸 Americans will not see an increase

• 💵 The fee is expected to raise over $90 million to fund conservation and park upgrades

The official line? It’s about “putting Americans first.”
According to the White House, U.S. taxpayers already fund these parks, so charging the same price to foreign visitors was “unfair.” This new fee is their way of “ensuring fairness.”

🏕️ Not All Parks Charge Fees — Yet

Some U.S. national parks are still free to enter, but popular spots like:

• Yellowstone

• Yosemite

• The Grand Canyon

...already charge admission, with annual passes going up to $70 USD (about $95 CAD). That’s expected to get even pricier for visitors from abroad.

🇨🇦 Mixed Messages for Canadians

Ironically, while the federal government is cranking up entry fees, some U.S. states are literally rolling out the red carpet for Canadians.

• California’s governor launched a campaign in April inviting Canadians to visit

• In Burlington, Vermont, officials temporarily renamed Church Street to Canada Street to show support

• Some local politicians are even publicly slamming the new fee policy, calling it harmful and unwelcoming

So yeah... it’s complicated.

🍁 Prefer to Keep It Canadian This Year?

If the thought of higher fees — and a few side-eyes at the border — doesn’t appeal to you, no worries. Canada’s national parks are stunning and there’s a sweet deal to take advantage of right now.

Check out the Canada Strong Pass (available until Sept. 2), which includes:

• 🏞️ Free admission to national parks, historic sites & marine conservation areas

• 🏛️ Free entry to national museums for all kids 17 and under

Basically, it's a solid way to explore the great outdoors — without worrying about exchange rates or politics.

TL;DR:

• 🇺🇸 U.S. national parks will charge more for foreign tourists (like Canadians) starting in 2026

• 🎟️ Americans won't pay more, foreigners will help fund park upgrades

• 🇨🇦 Canadians might want to explore at home this year — the Canada Strong Pass offers great value

Whether you choose to head south or stay close to home, just don’t forget the bug spray. 🦟