Since January 1, 2026, Yellowstone National Park has charged a $100 per-person surcharge to every non-US-resident visitor age 16 and older, on top of the park's standard entrance fee. If you're planning a trip from outside the United States, this is the single most common source of at-the-gate confusion — here's exactly how it works.
Standard Entrance Fees (Everyone Pays These)
Before the surcharge even enters the picture, every visitor pays Yellowstone's base entrance fee, valid for 7 days:
- $35 per vehicle
- $30 per motorcycle
- $20 per person entering on foot, bicycle, or horse
Who Pays the $100 Surcharge
The surcharge applies to every visitor age 16 or older who is not a US resident, regardless of citizenship documentation nuances — it's based on residency, not nationality. It is charged per person, not per vehicle, so a car with four non-resident adults pays $400 in surcharges on top of the $35 vehicle fee.
The surcharge is not waived on fee-free days — those days waive the standard entrance fee only, and the nonresident surcharge still applies.
How to Avoid It
The surcharge is waived for anyone holding one of the following passes, regardless of residency:
- Yellowstone Annual Pass — $70, valid for unlimited entry to Yellowstone for 12 months
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass — $80, valid at Yellowstone and most other federal recreation sites nationwide
If your trip includes more than a few days in the park, or if you're visiting with a group, buying one of these passes ahead of time is usually cheaper than paying the surcharge for everyone in the vehicle. There is also a specific America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250) aimed at exactly this situation — it covers the surcharge at Yellowstone and the other national parks that charge one, and pays for itself quickly for a group or a multi-park itinerary.
Where and How It's Collected
The surcharge is collected at the entrance gate alongside the standard fee, or in advance if you purchase your pass online through the National Park Service. Bring documentation of US residency (a driver's license or state ID is typically sufficient) if you want to avoid being charged the surcharge in error.
Planning Tip
If you're arriving from outside the US and traveling with family or a group, do the math before you go: at $100 per person 16+, a family of four non-residents pays $400 in surcharges alone. Compare that against a $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass, an $80 America the Beautiful Pass, or a $70 Yellowstone Annual Pass before you decide how to pay at the gate.
For current, authoritative fee details, always check nps.gov/yell directly before your trip — fee structures are set by the National Park Service and can change.