SALT LAKE CITY—As of January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents visiting Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks will face a $100 surcharge in addition to standard entrance fees. The increase is the first significant change to national park fees since 2007.
The fee applies to visitors ages 16 and older, including those entering on commercial road-based tours or individually by car without an America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass. Children 15 and under are exempt.
For commercial tours, each non-resident visitor will be charged an additional $100 fee, regardless of when the trip was booked. Tour operators are expected to verify residency before arrival. U.S. resident status will be verified through ID checks, and visitors only need to state their age. Passports or birth certificates are not required for verification.
Non-residents who hold the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass will not be charged the fee. The pass covers private vehicles and up to four non-resident visitors in commercial groups.
The National Park Service will communicate the fee changes through its Recreation.gov website, state offices, industry associations, and local gateway communities.
Utah’s tourism officials and local stakeholders have raised concerns about the timing of the fee implementation, noting international bookings are often made 18 months in advance. International visitors contributed approximately $1 billion in direct spending in Utah in 2024. Officials suggested a tiered rollout or grace period to allow businesses time to adjust.
Further updates will be shared as verified information becomes available.
