Trump Signs Executive Order to Raise Fees for Foreign Visitors to U.S. National Parks

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to raise entrance fees at U.S. national parks for international visitors. This move coincides with the administration’s broader proposal to reduce national park funding by over a third in fiscal year 2026.

According to the White House statement, the increased charges for foreign tourists are expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue. These funds will be allocated toward conservation efforts and deferred maintenance projects across the national park system.

New Policy Targets Increased Revenue from International Tourists

What the Order Includes

The directive instructs the Interior Department, which oversees the National Park Service (NPS), to implement the fee hike. However, specific details—such as the exact fee amount and implementation date—were not disclosed.

The order also includes a clause to give U.S. citizens priority access in any permitting or reservation systems used by the park system.

“Charging higher entrance fees to foreign tourists is a common policy at national parks throughout the world,” the White House noted.

Admission Fees: Who Pays and Where

Out of the 433 park units under NPS management, only about 100 currently charge admission fees, and those fees vary depending on the park. At present, U.S. residents effectively subsidize the cost of operating national parks through both admission fees and taxes.

“Currently, U.S. citizens in effect pay more than foreign tourists to visit the nation’s scenic natural wonders and historic landmarks because their admission fees as well as a portion of their U.S. tax dollars support the cost of national parks,” the statement said.

Budget Cuts & Staffing Shortages Add Pressure

The new fee structure is being introduced alongside a controversial proposal to cut more than $1 billion from the National Park Service's budget in FY 2026—a reduction exceeding one-third of its previous year’s funding.

These financial constraints come amid ongoing staffing challenges. According to a recent analysis by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), since President Donald Trump took office, permanent staffing at the Park Service has declined by 24%.

The situation is further strained by the administration’s failure to meet seasonal hiring goals: just 4,500 of the 8,000 seasonal workers pledged for the summer have been hired.

Impact on Parks Like Yosemite and Big Bend

Due to personnel shortages, parks such as Yosemite in California and Big Bend in Texas have been forced to reduce visitor programs, limit access, and scale back emergency operations, the NPCA report noted.

Despite these limitations, national park attendance continues to grow. The parks received 331 million visits last year, an increase of 6 million over 2023, setting a new attendance record.

Conclusion

President Trump’s executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign visitors comes at a critical time for the National Park Service. While the move aims to generate much-needed revenue for maintenance and conservation projects, it is paired with deep proposed cuts to the Park Service’s budget.

The prioritization of U.S. residents in reservation systems and the hike in fees for international tourists mirror similar strategies used in other countries. However, concerns over staffing shortages and operational strain continue to mount, particularly as park attendance reaches record highs.

 The long-term success of this approach will depend on how effectively the additional funds are deployed—and whether the administration addresses the growing need for resources and personnel within America’s national treasures.