President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to raise entrance fees for non‑U.S. visitors to national parks, asserting that it is part of his administration’s “America First” policy.
Announced at a rally in Iowa, the order stipulates that foreigners will pay higher rates while American citizens continue to benefit from current, lower fees and receive priority access to permits and reservations.
The White House issued a fact sheet stating that the additional revenue from foreign tourists will generate “hundreds of millions” of dollars annually. Those funds will be earmarked for restoring aging infrastructure, reducing the National Park Service’s maintenance backlog, and improving visitor services.
The Department of the Interior estimates a potential $90 million per year in additional income to support these efforts.
According to the order, foreign visitors, who do not pay U.S. taxes, will shoulder a larger share of costs related to park preservation.
While details on the fee increase and implementation timeline have not been released, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum indicated that a draft fee schedule would be published later this summer, with changes unlikely to take effect before 2026.
However, the policy comes amid significant budget cuts to the National Park Service, including more than $1 billion removed from its fiscal 2026 budget—a reduction of nearly 40 percent.
Combined with a 24 percent decline in permanent staff and persistent shortages in seasonal workers, critics warn that fee hikes alone may not address the deep operational challenges facing the parks.
Supporters of the plan, including conservative think tanks, note that differential pricing based on visitor origin is common internationally.
For example, Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park charges foreigners significantly more than residents. Proponents argue the model could stabilize funding without overburdening American taxpayer.
Conservation groups and tourism industry representatives, however, fear that higher costs may deter foreign visitors, harming businesses in gateway communities.
The Natural Resources Defense Council and National Parks Conservation Association emphasized that comprehensive funding and staffing solutions are necessary to preserve public land stewardship.
This initiative coincides with the launch of the “Make America Beautiful Again” commission, aimed at advancing park conservation and public access. President Trump framed the move as building on his legacy from the Great American Outdoors Act while placing American families at the forefront of policy.
