Arizona Tour Company Sues to Block $100 National Park Nonresident Fee
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 30
Arizona Tour Company Sues to Block $100 National Park Nonresident Fee
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 30
Summary
Across Arizona Tours sued in federal court to stop the Trump administration’s $100-per-person surcharge on foreign visitors at some national parks, saying the added cost is driving tourists away from the Grand Canyon.
The complaint argues the Interior and Agriculture departments exceeded their authority because only Congress can impose such nonresident entrance fees, even though the National Park Service can charge standard admission.
Since Jan. 1, foreign visitors at 11 high-traffic parks — including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion — have paid the surcharge on top of regular entry fees of up to $20 a person or $35 a vehicle.
The same “America First pricing” rules also set annual passes at $250 for nonresidents versus $80 for U.S. residents across more than 2,000 federal recreation areas.