New Delhi, Nov. 26 -- The Department of the Interior announced on November 25 updates to national park access, introducing fully digital America the Beautiful passes starting January 1, 2026. Visitors will be able to purchase and use passes instantly via Recreation.gov, store them on mobile devices, and link them to physical cards for added convenience. The changes aim to speed up park entry and enhance the visitor experience.

The new system prioritizes US residents while increasing fees for international visitors. Beginning in 2026, annual passes will cost $80 for US residents and $250 for nonresidents. Nonresidents without an annual pass will face a $100 per person fee to access 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the...