Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fees and Passes (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Yellowstone charges by how you arrive. A private vehicle with up to 15 passengers pays $35, a motorcycle group pays $30, a snowmobile group pays $30, and a hiker, cyclist or skier aged 16 or older pays $20. All of these are valid for seven days, which is long enough to cover the Grand Loop at a relaxed pace. You can buy online ahead of time or at any entrance station, and the park does not require a vehicle reservation.

Because the ticket lasts a full week, most visitors never need more than one. A typical five-day trip through the north and west entrances costs $35 per car, which works out to under $9 per person for a family of four. Commercial operators pay different rates: a small sedan tour pays $25 plus $20 per person, while a motor coach pays $300. Those numbers matter only if you are comparing a guided tour with driving yourself.

The Yellowstone annual pass costs $70, so it breaks even on the second trip. Most people do not return within a year, which makes the pass a poor fit for a single vacation. The America the Beautiful pass at $80 is the better choice when you pair Yellowstone with nearby stops. Adding Grand Teton to the trip means two gate fees of $35, or $70, so the $80 pass pays off as soon as you add a third site.

The 2026 nonresident rules are the biggest change. Every non-US resident aged 16 or older pays $100 on top of the gate fee unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Four adult visitors in a rental car would pay $35 plus $400, or $435. The nonresident America the Beautiful pass costs $250, covers the pass holder plus three adults, and would save $185 on that single visit.

The 2026 fee-free dates are Feb 16, May 25, Jun 14, Jul 3-5, Aug 25, Sep 17, Oct 27, Nov 11, for US citizens and residents only. As of 2026-09-30, the remaining ones are October 27 and November 11. Much of the park's road network closes for winter, so a free day late in the year may not get you far. Check road status before you count on it, and use the park pass break-even calculator to test different itineraries.

Sources

• NPS Yellowstone fees and passes
• NPS nonresident fees
• NPS America the Beautiful passes

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.