President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration will begin charging foreign tourists higher fees to access U.S. national parks, part of a broader effort to prioritize American families and put “America First” across public lands.
Speaking at a rally in Iowa, Trump said he had just signed two executive orders impacting the National Park System. One of the orders directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to raise entrance fees and recreation pass costs for non-residents, while keeping them low for American citizens.
“To fund improvements and enhanced experiences across the park systems,” Trump said, “I’ve just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans. The National Parks will be about America First.”
The executive order states that the increased funds from foreign visitors will be used to improve park infrastructure and expand access for American families. It also instructs the Department of the Interior to give U.S. residents priority in lotteries and permitting systems that regulate access to high-demand locations.
“From the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon to the tranquility of the Great Smoky Mountains, America’s national parks have provided generations of American families with unforgettable memories,” the order reads. “It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations.”
.@POTUS announces that entrance fees for foreign tourists at National Parks will be raised in order to fund park improvements and enhanced experiences: “The National Parks will be about AMERICA FIRST” pic.twitter.com/fIUB7ET0tC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 4, 2025
The decision comes amid a post-pandemic surge in national park attendance. A record 331.9 million people visited national parks in 2024, with many parks now using timed-entry or lottery systems to control crowding.
Trump also rescinded an Obama-era order that had instructed the National Park Service to focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives, including within its workforce. That directive has now been replaced by a policy centered on conservation, access, and affordability for Americans.
In a second executive order, Trump established the “Make America Beautiful Commission.” The panel includes Burgum, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and other cabinet officials.
The commission will advise the president on policies to “responsibly conserve America’s national treasures,” promote outdoor recreation, and restore fish and wildlife populations “through collaboration rather than regulation.”
Its mission includes expanding access to national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, off-roading, and boating.
“Under this administration, public lands are going back to the people — not the bureaucrats or the climate lobby,” Burgum said following the announcement.