Busy entrance station to Yosemite National Park, with cars waiting in line to obtain a permitThe TravelBy Cristina MiceliFeb 12, 2026On January 1, 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) implemented a new rule and pricing system, forcing some visitors to pay hundreds of dollars in extra fees when visiting some of the most popular national parks in the United States.The NPS' new ID rule requires visitors to provide proof of U.S. residency or citizenship, typically showing identification, passport, government-issued driver's license, or green card. Visitors who cannot provide these documents or prove they are U.S. citizens or residents are no longer eligible for the standard national park entrance fees. Instead, they must pay the international (non-resident) visitor fee, which includes a $100 surcharge on top of normal entry costs.However, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is urging the U.S. government to abolish the new ID rule and tiered price system for the time being because it's causing numerous problems, including congestion, long wait times at entrances, and even fewer visitors.
Hey... but we are putting the screws to those foreigners!
Okay, I had a lot of experience with the National Parks, I have seen the massive lines trying to get into Herring Cove at the Cape Cod National Seashore, at Marconi Beach, and Nauset Beach, and now if they have to check to see if you are a US citizen the lines will be even longer!
The NPCA notes that it's “the worst possible time” to implement these new rules for two main reasons.In 2025, the NPS lost about a quarter of its permanent staff, leaving many national parks across the U.S. understaffed even before the new pricing policy and ID rule came into play. In addition, in 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th anniversary, which is expected to draw visitors nationwide to NPS sites—putting even more strain on employees.
The Trump adminstration doesn't care about the lines as long as they are socking to the aliens!
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