United States President Donald Trump has ordered an increase in entry fees for America’s national parks for foreign visitors in a move intended to “improve services, access, and affordability for Americans.”
Most sites managed by the National Park Service are currently free to enter, but some of the best-known park destinations, such as the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, charge $20 per person or $35 per vehicle (around €17 and €30 respectively). Some parks offer daily, weekly, or annual passes, and the National Park Service also proposes an interagency pass, dubbed “America the Beautiful”, giving access to all parks for a year for €80 (€68). Reservations are necessary at some of the most popular sites.
The executive order, made on 10 July 2025, directs the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to put up entrance charges “only for foreign visitors” and “to ensure U.S. residents receive priority access in any permitting or reservation systems.” It is unclear if this means that parks with no entrance fee will be obliged to introduce one.
Proud to be with @POTUS as he signed a new executive order to conserve our parks and expand outdoor access for all Americans. At @Interior, we’re all in and excited to drive this agenda forward to keep the great outdoors open, accessible, and protected for generations to come. https://t.co/2RPU0Qmgui
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) July 3, 2025
It is not unusual for countries to apply entry fee structures that favour locals and citizens over visitors, as Trump’s order points out: “Charging higher entrance fees to foreign tourists is a common policy at national parks throughout the world that supports both conservation and affordable access for residents.”
Trump brands the current situation “unfair” since Americans already fund national parks through their taxes and then are charged again for access, “meaning that American citizens pay more to see their own national treasures than foreign visitors do.”
He also argues that the strategy will “fuel investment in our national parks, reduce the maintenance backlog, construct critical infrastructure improvements, and support conservation projects.”
TODAY: @POTUS announced a new executive order to adjust entrance fees for international visitors at national parks.
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) July 4, 2025
This action will:
✅ Secure affordable access for our communities and put American families first
✅ Ensure visitors from around the world contribute to…
The order is transparent as an attempt to secure Trump’s “legacy as a conservation President and fulfills his promise to put Americans first.” It was driven by Benji Backer, CEO of the Nature Is Nonpartisan group, who had previously criticised Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that would have permitted public land to be sold off for housing and infrastructure. That aspect of the bill was later revised, and Backer has said the new initiative is “a great victory for the environment,” adding: “Just because something isn’t a national park or a national wilderness area, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t deserve to be in public hands.”
However, the order does not appear to be in line with the philosophy of John Muir, a nature lover, writer and campaigner widely considered the founding father of the US national park system. Although Muir’s early writings contain controversial language about Native Americans and people of colour, he eventually wrote about equality, saying: “We all flow from one fountain Soul.” The mission statement of the National Park Service makes no mention of nationality or race, and aims to preserve “unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”
