WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced sweeping changes to national park access beginning Jan. 1, 2026, introducing digital passes, updated pricing, and expanded options for motorcycle riders, according to a press release from the agency.

The modernization effort includes fully digital America the Beautiful passes—covering Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access passes—available through Recreation.gov. Visitors will be able to purchase and store passes on mobile devices, link them to physical cards, and use digital validation tools for faster entry.

The Department is also introducing new patriotic artwork for annual passes and implementing a revised fee structure that prioritizes U.S. residents. Beginning next year, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. Additionally, nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per-person fee at 11 of the nation’s most visited national parks.

A series of resident-only fee-free days will be offered in 2026, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day weekend, the National Park Service’s 110th birthday on Aug. 25, and other nationally significant dates.

Motorcycle access is also expanding. All America the Beautiful passes will now cover two motorcycles per pass, aimed at increasing affordability for riders.

According to the press release, revenue from the updated fee structure will support maintenance, visitor facility upgrades, and other improvements across the National Park System.