President Donald Trump has unveiled a new executive order titled ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ which includes measures to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists visiting the United States’ national parks, while ensuring continued affordability for American families. The policy aims to preserve these natural and historical treasures for future generations and fund improvements that enhance the visitor experience.
The executive order, signed by the President late last week, outlines a comprehensive approach to improving access, furthering preservation efforts, expanding opportunity, and enhancing affordability for visitors to the national parks. According to the directive, the Department of the Interior will lead efforts to develop a strategy that increases revenue and improves the recreational experience by raising fees for nonresidents, particularly foreign visitors.
Under the proposed changes, while most national parks remain free for visitors, over 106 parks will now impose additional fees for private vehicles and/ or per person charges, with the specific adjustments targeting international tourists. These changes are set to take effect as part of the ‘America First’ initiative, which emphasizes a focus on protecting national resources without increasing costs for U.S. residents.
President Trump announced the policy during a recent ‘Salute to America’ event at the Iowa State Fair, where he emphasized the importance of ‘America First’ for the national parks. He stated, ‘To fund improvements and enhance experiences across the park system, for this anniversary, I’ve just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans.’
The Interior Department has defended the policy as a ‘common-sense, sustainable step’ to preserve national parks without placing an additional financial burden on American citizens. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior told Fox News Digital, ‘With record visitation, this approach ensures that all who benefit from these iconic places contribute to their care and longevity.’
While the policy is focused on the financial management of parks, it is also part of a larger conversation about overtourism and the need for sustainable practices in managing popular attractions. This aligns with similar efforts seen in other parts of the world, including some countries where a ‘two-tier’ pricing system has been adopted to limit the impact of large tourist flows on local resources and environments.
Analysts suggest that the new fees may have a limited financial impact on the broader economy, but they could lead to increased revenue for the National Park Service, which could be reinvested into park improvements and management. The policy’s impact on international tourism is also a subject of ongoing discussion, with some experts suggesting it could potentially discourage foreign visitors while boosting domestic tourism.