New PATRIOT Parks Act Imposes Surcharge on International Tourists to Fund Park Maintenance

The new PATRIOT Parks Act is straightforward: it creates a new fee, called a surcharge, specifically for international tourists visiting U.S. National Parks. If a park already charges an entrance fee, the Secretary of the Interior can now add this extra cost onto visitors admitted under a B-2 tourist visa or the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The big promise here is that 100% of the money collected from this surcharge will stay right where it was collected, funding maintenance, staffing, and visitor services at that exact park unit (SEC. 2).

The Park Superintendent’s New Side Hustle

This bill hands a lot of power—and responsibility—to the park superintendent. They are tasked with setting the surcharge amount, but here’s the catch: they have to figure out a price that brings in the most money while making sure international tourism doesn't drop off too much (SEC. 2). That’s a classic balancing act. For example, a superintendent at a hugely popular park like Yosemite might decide they can charge a substantial fee because demand is high, knowing that international visitors will likely still come. This introduces a significant level of discretion, and since “doesn’t drop off too much” is subjective, it could lead to fees that feel excessive to travelers.

New Price Tag for the Annual Pass

It’s not just the single-entry tickets getting hit. The PATRIOT Parks Act also requires the Secretary to create a separate surcharge specifically for international visitors who buy any of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes (the annual pass). Unlike the fees collected at the gate, the revenue from this pass surcharge is earmarked to go directly into the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund. That fund is used for major repair projects across the park system, meaning international pass buyers will be directly funding large-scale infrastructure fixes.

Who’s Paying and Who’s Not

This is essentially a targeted tax on international tourism. If you’re an American citizen, a permanent resident, or here on a work or student visa, you won’t pay this extra fee. It only hits B-2 tourists and VWP travelers. The bill carves out two specific exceptions: the Washington Monument in D.C. is explicitly exempt, and citizens of partner countries entering designated “International Peace Parks” won’t have to pay the surcharge there (SEC. 2). For everyone else traveling internationally, they’re looking at a new, tiered pricing structure when planning their U.S. road trip.

The Real-World Impact on Your Local Park

The benefit for park funding is clear: a dedicated, new revenue stream that bypasses the complex federal budget process and goes straight to the front lines. Think of a park that desperately needs to hire more seasonal rangers or fix a collapsing trail—this money is meant to address those immediate needs. However, the cost is borne entirely by international visitors, who will face higher entry costs. This could potentially deter some budget-conscious tourists, which might hurt local gateway communities that rely on that traffic. The success of this act hinges entirely on superintendents accurately guessing the sweet spot between maximizing revenue and avoiding a tourism slump.