Trump Orders National Parks to Charge Some Tourists Higher Fees

President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order instructing the Interior Department to raise entrance and recreation pass fees for non-U.S. residents at national parks while preserving lower costs and easier access for American citizens.

Knewz.com has learned that the order not only emphasizes a new “America First” approach to park access but also revokes long-standing diversity and inclusion efforts in public land management.

An ‘America First’ Approach to National Parks

At a recent rally in Iowa, Trump announced, “To fund improvements and enhanced experiences across the park system, I’ve just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans. The national parks will be about America first.”

The executive order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to develop a strategy to increase entrance and recreation fees for non-U.S. residents at all national parks in America that currently charge admission. It also applies to recreation pass programs such as the $80 “America the Beautiful” annual pass, which provides access to all federal lands nationwide.

Although not all national parks charge entry fees, popular destinations like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon currently charge $20 per person or $35 per vehicle. For foreign tourists, those costs are expected to rise, though no exact surcharge or timeline has been announced yet. It has been reported that, according to the Interior Department’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, the policy could generate more than $90 million annually.

Trump’s Executive Order Revokes Obama-Era Diversity Directive

The executive order signed by President Trump also revoked a 2017 memorandum issued by President Barack Obama that promoted diversity and inclusion in national parks and public lands. The policy encouraged federal agencies to engage with underrepresented communities and to include their voices in preserving cultural, historical, and environmental sites.

Notably, the repeal aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to dismantle federal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs. The rollback contrasts sharply with priorities under former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, who said before leaving office that the agency had been working to ensure “every American sees a reflection of themselves in the parks.”

Trump Establishes Make America Beautiful Again Commission

Along with the executive order, Trump also established the “Make America Beautiful Again” Commission, chaired by Interior Secretary Burgum and led by environmental advocate Benji Backer, founder of Nature Is Nonpartisan. The group is tasked with expanding access to public lands and encouraging voluntary conservation. Backer called the initiative “a great victory for the environment.”

However, many view the administration’s broader agenda, which includes sharp staffing cuts, sweeping budget reductions, higher entrance costs for international visitors, and the rollback of equity-focused programs, as a clear departure from long-standing values of open access and environmental responsibility.

Critics have argued that these moves point to a narrowing vision for the national parks, one that increasingly prioritizes Americans while moving away from broader public involvement and care for shared natural spaces.

Budget Cuts and Staff Reductions in the National Park Service Under the Trump Administration

Trump’s executive order came amid a wider shift in federal management of the National Park Service, marked by deep staffing and budget cuts. According to reports, the Trump administration laid off approximately 1,000 National Park Service employees in February, and according to the National Parks Conservation Association, the agency has lost 24% of its permanent staff since Trump returned to Office.

Reports mentioned that the Interior Department’s 2026 budget proposal also called for over $1 billion in cuts to the Park Service, making it the largest proposed reduction in its history. These reductions came as park visitation continued to rise, putting increased strain on already overburdened resources. It is worth noting that conservation advocates argue that these changes could undermine both visitor experience and ecological protection.

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