Hiking expedition for international explorers - Trump signs decree to augment National Park admission costs in the U.S.
In a move aimed at generating additional revenue for U.S. national parks, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 3, instructing the National Park Service (NPS) to increase fees for foreign visitors entering the country's national parks.
Under this new policy, which will come into effect in 2025, there will be a surcharge specifically targeting foreign visitors. The surcharge is part of an executive order that directs the Interior Department to charge international tourists more than U.S. citizens for park entrance fees.
Currently, visitors can buy annual passes for some parks, as well as the 'America the Beautiful' pass for all national park lands, which costs $79.99 a year. However, under the new policy, international visitors will pay a higher rate on top of regular fees. The exact new fee amount for the America the Beautiful pass for international visitors has not been explicitly detailed, but it is expected to be higher than the standard $79.99.
For example, at Everglades National Park, a daily vehicle entry is $35 for U.S. visitors, with a $70 annual pass. Under the new policy, international visitors will pay more than these standard rates.
It's not yet clear which of the currently charging parks will increase fees for foreign visitors, or if there will be any changes to the America the Beautiful pass for international visitors. However, the move may affect popular national parks such as Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.
The increased fees from foreign tourists will be used for conservation projects, reduction in maintenance backlog, infrastructure upgrades, and conservation support. The administration argues that Americans have been paying more than foreign tourists to visit national parks, as they were required to pay the same entry fee on top of the tax contribution they'd have already made.
The foreign visitor surcharge is expected to generate an additional $90 million or more every year. The administration believes that increasing fees for foreign visitors will ensure fairness.
The news follows a reported potential for popular English National Parks to charge entry fees for the first time in history due to government cuts. The Trump administration has faced criticism and protests over job cuts and reductions in NPS staff since Trump took office. In April, veteran leaders of the NPS joined forces to voice their anger at the cuts to services and staff, saying that they thought that NPS employees "are under attack."
Visitors should anticipate paying more than the standard $79.99 annual pass price due to this new foreign visitor fee surcharge implemented in 2025. It's not yet known how or if the price of the America the Beautiful pass will change for international visitors. It's also not yet clear if there will be any changes to the reservations systems and permits for foreign visitors.
Despite the potential increase in fees for foreign visitors, visitor numbers to national parks continue to break records. However, the move may put some foreign visitors off visiting the US' national parks.
[1] https://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm [2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/03/trump-administration-plans-raise-fees-foreign-visitors-national-parks/ [4] https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fees/international-visitor-fee-proposal.htm
- This new policy, initiated in 2025, will not only increase fees for foreign visitors entering U.S. national parks but also introduce a surcharge specifically for international tourists.
- In addition to general news about the policy changes, sports and lifestyle sections may also report on the potential impact of these increased fees on travel plans for foreign tourists who enjoy visiting popular national parks like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.
