International tourists will have to pay a $100 surcharge to visit Rocky Mountain National Park starting on Jan. 1 under a new policy announced Tuesday by the Trump administration.
The new “America-first” fee for foreign visitors comes as the federal government has ramped up mass deportations and as initial data has showed tourism in Colorado — both in terms of revenue and jobs — has flattened since 2023.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in a statement. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
Currently, it costs between $15 and $35 for anyone — U.S. resident or foreign tourist — to enter Rocky Mountain National Park, which received 4.1 million visitors in 2024.
“Colorado stepped up to manage (Rocky Mountain National Park) and keep it open during the federal shutdown because our National Parks support our rural and tourism economies,” said Alissa Johnson, spokesperson for the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade, in a statement. “The State would be concerned about any negative economic impacts to our national parks and public lands brought on by this federal change. We will be monitoring the implementation of this federal decision and its impacts.”
International tourists will have to pay the surcharge when visiting 11 of the most visited parks in the U.S., including Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, according to the National Park Service’s website.
Starting Jan. 1, foreign visitors will also pay more than U.S. residents for annual passes to the country’s national parks. International tourists will have to pay $250, whereas residents will pay $80, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The money made off the new fees will help support the national parks, including upgrades to facilities for visitors and maintenance, according to the statement.
The new fee follows a July executive order in which President Trump directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.
“There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior,” Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for National Parks Conservation Association, said in an email to the Associated Press.
The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors.
The agency will also make it free for U.S. residents to visit national parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park, on seven specific days in 2026, including Memorial Day on May 25, Flag Day/President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday on Oct. 27 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11, according to the news release.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
