IMPORTANT changes from January 2026 to the entrance fees of 11 of the USA’s most popular National Parks, and not surprisingly a lot are bucket-list parks with international road-trippers.
The following list of parks are now charging US$100 per person, day entry to non-residents. The remaining parks range from free to $30 or $50 per person.
Acadia National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Everglades National Park
Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite National Park
Zion National Park
The alternative :- ‘America the Beautiful’ Non-resident pass, a digital 12 month pass for US$250 per vehicle which allows a maximum of 4 passengers unlimited entry to all of the USA’s National Parks and National Monuments.
Before you start your trip
Buy the ATB digital pass and print off a PDF copy for your vehicle windscreen, for unstaffed parks.
Download your pass to a Google or Apple wallet for easy access regardless of cell reception.
Have your passport in the vehicle cab, you will sometimes need to provide photo identification along with your pass.
Hitting the open road in an RV and exploring Arizona’s great outdoors is nothing short of incredible. This state has it all for anyone who loves nature, and the variety is stunning. It’s easy to drive the open roads and fantastic for those that love dark skies.
Starting in Northern Arizona, the cool pine forests and endless plateaus are a refreshing escape. You feel like you’re breathing in pure wilderness up here. Then, rolling into Central Arizona, the scenery changes dramatically. The iconic red rocks of Sedona and the lush Verde Valley take center stage—trust us, there’s nothing like waking up to those views from your RV window. There are so many different types of vehicles that regardless of whether you are a solo traveler a couple or a family, the right vehicle is available for you to rent.
Lake of the Woods – Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism, AdventurePiece 2020
As we continued south, the desert landscapes opened up to endless stretches of towering saguaros, and the rock formations—both above and below ground—are awe-inspiring. In Western Arizona, surprisingly, you’ll find yourself at the beach, enjoying water sports along the Colorado River. Don’t you think travel is about being surprised by contrast? that’s certainly the case in Arizona.
Catalina State Park – Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism
Eastern Arizona is the perfect mix of everything. One moment you’re driving through thick green forests, and the next, you’re surrounded by ancient petrified wood and centuries-old petroglyphs. It’s like every corner of Arizona has its own unique experience, and you will love that RV rental let you take it all in at our own pace and at a price that will mean you have the budget left to do all the activities on offer.
Pro tip: make sure to check each State and National park’s website for hours, fees, and services. Some parks are pretty remote, which is great for peace and quiet, but you’ll want to be well-prepared, especially if you’re heading into the backcountry. Also, if you’re visiting parks on tribal lands, plan ahead for permits or guides.
Arizona has so many parks to explore, from the iconic cacti to the hidden gems in the Sky Islands down south. We’ve been using the Arizona Parks Passport to make sure we don’t miss a thing. And while you’re at it, share those epic RV moments with #AZParksPassport—you might even get a little surprise from them! If you are visiting more than just Arizona buy the America the Beautiful National Parks pass.
Tombstone – Image credit Arizona Office of Tourism
An RV trip through Arizona will without doubt be the adventure of a lifetime, and we’ve barely scratched the surface. We will put more detailed post about each of the major national and state parks for you to explore, We didn’t even mention The Grand Canyon yet!! To plan your trip go to the states tourism site – Visit Arizona for lots more detail.
Look at this interactive guide to parks and sights in Arizona
Every stop offers something new and unforgettable!
Remember when you travel in these unique and fragile environments to only take photos and only leave foot prints.
When you fly long haul to start an RV road-trip of amazing America, its compulsory to have a night’s sleep before you pick up your vehicle. Make the most of this and fly into a city that gives you not only great access to some of the countries best scenery but also gives you plenty of things to do that start your trip off as you intend to continue!
Dallas Fort Worth Airport is a gem, average clearance time for immigration is 18 minutes. You can be in your hotel within an hour. Beat that in any other major airport.
The triangle of Fort Worth, Dallas and Grapevine is a terrific introduction to Texas. We recommend basing yourself in Grapevine, it’s only 10 minutes from DFW and there is a complimentary shuttle to Grapevine hotels. Grapevine is like the bride to the two bridesmaids of Dallas and Fort Worth. Grapevines historic main street is vintage Texas, with 20 hotels to choose from you can enjoy small town charm, with big town access.
Fort Worth Stockyards: Begin your day exploring the historic Stockyards. Watch the cattle drive, visit the Stockyards Museum, and stroll around the various shops.
Grapevine Mills Mall: A large shopping mall with numerous outlets, entertainment options, and dining venues. Make sure you leave time for Meow Wolf.
Additional Tips
Transportation:Renting a car is recommended if you want the complete flexibility, it’s easy to navigate between the cities and attractions. However, unlike a lot of regions in the US, this little triangle of Texas has great transport options.
Weather: Texas can be hot, especially in summer, so wear comfortable clothing and stay hydrated.
Cuisine: Don’t miss trying local BBQ, Tex-Mex, and other southern specialties.
Check if the Dallas Cowboys have a game on while you’re visiting, don’t miss it if they do.
FIFA World Cup is in the US in 2026, and Dallas AT & T Stadium is hosting 8 matches.
Grapevine has loads of festivals and not all related to grapes, if you are in the area in December you will be delightfully surprised with the Christmas festival. But regardless of when you are there, you can enjoy live music in Main Street every Friday night.
Notable BBQ Spots
Fort Worth: Angelo’s BBQ, Heim Barbecue
Dallas: Pecan Lodge, Lockhart Smokehouse
Grapevine: Meat U Anywhere BBQ, Bartley’s BBQ
Main Street Friday Music – Image credit Grapevine convention & Visitors Bureau
