WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to increase entrance fees for foreign tourists visiting national parks, saying the move aims to make the parks more affordable for Americans while funding improvements ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary.
Speaking at a rally in Iowa on Thursday, Trump declared that the year-long Semiquincentennial celebrations would highlight American heritage and prioritize domestic interests.
“For this anniversary, I’ve just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans,” Trump said. “The national parks will be about America First.”
Foreign Fees to Fund Infrastructure and Visitor Experience
The executive order tasks the Interior and State Departments with promoting international tourism to U.S. parks, while also directing that the revenue generated from increased foreign fees be used to improve infrastructure, facilities, and overall visitor enjoyment across the national park system.
The move, Trump said, would allow Americans to better access green spaces without financial burden while ensuring parks remain “world-class” destinations.
DEI Directive Revoked
In a more controversial part of the order, Trump also revoked a 2017 directive by former President Barack Obama aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in national parks.
This continues Trump’s broader rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which he has previously described as “divisive.”
Environmental and social justice groups were quick to criticize the decision.
Despite the push to attract international visitors and invest in infrastructure, conservation groups have raised alarm over recent staff reductions in the National Park Service.
Reports suggest that hundreds of permanent employees have been laid off since Trump returned to office in January, just months before the peak summer tourist season.
