DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

Washington’s 2026 Park Reservation Fee Applies to Canadian Tourists—and Other Nonresidents

Washington’s $15 State Parks reservation fee applies to Canadian tourists and other people who do not reside in the state. It took effect April 1, 2026, and is added to the regular reservation fee.
From TheFinanceBase Team2 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Washington State Parks began charging a $15 nonresident reservation fee on April 1, 2026. Canadian tourists are included, but the rule is based on residency: it applies to anyone who does not reside in Washington, not only Canadians. The fee is charged per reservation and is separate from the regular reservation charge.

What the Washington fee covers

The charge is a Washington State Parks reservation fee—not a general admission fee, border charge, or fee for simply visiting a state park. The state announced the increase on March 17, 2026, raising the nonresident fee from $5 to $15 effective April 1. Reservations made before April 1 are not affected by the increase. Washington State Parks’ announcement

The state says the average nonresident reservation is two nights or more and estimates the increase adds less than $5 per night to an average stay. That is the agency’s estimate, not a per-night charge: the fee itself is $15 per reservation. In its March 2026 release, Washington State Parks also reported more than 40 million visitors a year and 2.3 million visitors who choose to stay overnight in more than 100 parks. Washington State Parks’ announcement

How much a reservation costs

The $15 nonresident fee is added to the ordinary reservation charge. Washington’s current fee schedule lists that regular charge as $8 for online reservations or $10 for reservations made by phone. Washington State Parks’ fee schedule

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Charge Amount When it applies
Nonresident reservation fee $15 per reservation For customers who do not reside in Washington
Regular reservation fee, online $8 Separate charge for an online reservation
Regular reservation fee, by phone $10 Separate charge for a reservation made by phone

These are the reservation charges listed by Washington State Parks; the total cost of a stay can also include other applicable fees. The Discover Pass is listed separately for day-use parking, so it does not replace the reservation fee. Washington State Parks’ fee schedule

Why Canadians are affected

Washington defines the fee by whether a customer resides in the state, not by nationality. A Canadian visitor who does not reside in Washington falls under the rule, as do other non-Washington residents making a covered reservation. The fee schedule does not describe a separate Canadian rate. Washington State Parks’ fee schedule

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Do not confuse it with the federal national-park fee

A separate federal policy applies to non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older at 11 named National Park Service sites. The NPS lists a $100 per-person fee, in addition to standard entrance fees, at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. The NPS says an eligible pass can cover the charge, and lists a $250 nonresident annual pass beginning in 2026. National Park Service: Nonresident Fees

Policy Who administers it What triggers it Charge
Washington reservation fee Washington State Parks Making a covered state-park reservation as someone who does not reside in Washington $15 per reservation, in addition to the regular reservation fee
Federal nonresident fee National Park Service Visiting one of 11 named federal national parks as a non-U.S. resident aged 16 or older $100 per person, in addition to standard entrance fees, unless covered by an eligible pass

The Department of the Interior’s November 25, 2025 announcement described the federal policy as effective January 1, 2026, with an $80 annual pass for U.S. residents and a $250 annual pass for nonresidents. Those are federal pass terms, not Washington State Parks reservation charges. U.S. Department of the Interior announcement

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Sale
National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States 9th Edition
  • In time for the National Park's 100th birthday this flagship best-selling guide was fully revamped.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.