National Parks to raise fees for millions of international tourists to popular U.S. parks

International tourists face a new $100 surcharge to enter 11 most-visited U.S. parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon starting Jan. 1.

The “America-first” policy also raises foreign visitors’ annual pass to $250—compared with $80 for U.S. residents—and excludes them from fee-free days.

Park officials say fees will fund maintenance and upgrades as the agency grapples with severe budget cuts and a decimated workforce.

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents.

The announcement declaring “America-first entry fee policies” comes as