YELLOWSTONE COST CALCULATOR
Entrance fees, the $100 nonresident surcharge, and the cheapest pass for your trip — your exact total. Free, no sign-up.
Your trip
You pay each park entry separately — best for one or two single visits.
Compare every option
| Pass | Entry | Surcharge | Total* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay at the gate | $35 | — | $35 |
| Yellowstone Annual Pass | $70 | — | $70 |
| America the Beautiful | $80 | — | $80 |
| ATB Non-Resident Annual Pass | $250 | — | $250 |
*Total = all park entries for the year + any nonresident surcharge. Other national parks are estimated at your Yellowstone entry rate. Verify current rates at nps.gov/yell before your trip.
Yellowstone Cost FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?
A private vehicle pays $35 for 7 days, a motorcycle $30, and individuals on foot, bike, or horse $20 per person (kids 15 and under are free). Non-U.S. residents 16+ pay an additional $100-per-person surcharge. Use the calculator above for your exact total.
What is the $100 Yellowstone nonresident surcharge?
Since January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents age 16 and older pay a $100 per-person surcharge on top of the regular entrance fee, and it isn't waived on fee-free days. The $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass waives it for the holder and everyone in their vehicle.
Which Yellowstone pass is cheapest for my trip?
Visiting two or more national parks in a year? The $80 America the Beautiful pass usually wins. Returning to Yellowstone only? The $70 Yellowstone Annual Pass. A single U.S.-resident visit? Just pay $35 at the gate. Non-resident groups should compare the $250 America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass, which waives the surcharge.
Are there fee-free days at Yellowstone National Park?
Yes — the National Park Service designates a handful of fee-free days each year (typically including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day) when entrance fees are waived park-wide. The exact dates are set annually — check nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm for the current year's list. Note: fee-free days waive the entrance fee, not the $100 nonresident surcharge.
Is there a discount for seniors, military, or 4th graders at Yellowstone?
Yes, on top of the passes above: U.S. seniors (62+) can get a lifetime America the Beautiful Senior Pass (a one-time fee, or a cheaper annual version) covering all federal recreation sites including Yellowstone. Active-duty U.S. military members and dependents get a free annual pass. 4th-grade students (and homeschool equivalents) get a free annual pass for their whole vehicle through the Every Kid Outdoors program. All of these replace the standard entrance fee — they do not automatically waive the $100 nonresident surcharge, which is based on residency, not pass type.
Can I pay the Yellowstone entrance fee with a credit card?
Yes — all five entrance stations (West, North, Northeast, East, and South) accept both cash and credit or debit cards.
Do backcountry camping or fishing permits cost extra on top of the entrance fee?
Yes — a backcountry camping permit and the separate Yellowstone fishing permit (not your state license) are both additional costs on top of the standard entrance fee shown here. See our Backcountry & Fishing Permit Helper for current costs and how to get each one.