Trump Hikes National Park Fees for Foreigners Amid Budget Cuts

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to increase entrance fees for international visitors at U.S. national parks. The move, aimed at raising hundreds of millions of dollars, comes as the administration pushes to slash the National Park Service (NPS) budget by over one-third in fiscal year 2026.

According to the White House, the added revenue from foreign tourists will fund conservation and maintenance efforts across the park system. While the order instructs the Interior Department to raise fees, it does not specify the amount or implementation date. Currently, only about 100 of the 433 park sites charge entry fees, which vary.

The order also prioritizes U.S. citizens in the NPS’s reservation and permitting systems. The White House justified the policy by noting that American taxpayers already subsidize park operations and that charging higher fees to foreign tourists aligns with practices in other countries.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over staff shortages in national parks. Since Trump took office, permanent staff at the NPS has dropped by 24%, and only 4,500 of the 8,000 seasonal workers promised for summer 2025 have been hired. These shortages have impacted major parks like Yosemite and Big Bend, resulting in closures, reduced programming, and slower emergency responses.

Despite these challenges, national parks continue to see record attendance. In 2024, 331 million visitors were recorded—6 million more than the previous year—underscoring the public’s strong interest in America’s natural treasures.

The Trump administration’s dual approach of raising foreign entry fees while cutting funding has sparked criticism from conservation groups, who warn of long-term risks to park preservation and visitor experience.