President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order introducing significant changes to how visitors access and experience U.S. national parks. The order includes new fee structures for international tourists and a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives previously implemented under the Obama and Biden administrations.
Under the new directive, foreign visitors to national parks will face higher entrance and recreation pass fees, including for the “America the Beautiful” pass, which grants access to federally managed public lands. U.S. residents, meanwhile, will see more affordable pricing and receive priority access for limited-entry programs like permits and lotteries.
“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,” President Trump said in the order signed July 3. “It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations.”
The revenue generated from higher fees charged to non-U.S. residents will be directed toward infrastructure upgrades and improvements across national parks and other federal recreation sites.
The executive order also repeals a 2017 memorandum signed by President Barack Obama that promoted broader access to national parks for diverse and underrepresented communities. That memorandum encouraged park services to incorporate recommendations from diverse populations and to protect at-risk cultural and historic sites that reflect a wider range of American stories.
During the Biden administration, diversity and inclusion became key priorities in national park policy. Before leaving office, former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams reflected on his tenure:
“When I took my oath of office on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Secretary Deb Haaland said we’re charging you not only with these monuments and memorials, but with the responsibility to tell the stories that haven’t yet been told,” Sams said. “We’ve worked to ensure that every American sees a reflection of themselves in the parks.”
This move aligns with President Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle DEI-related government programs. On his first day back in office this January, Trump signed an order ending all federal DEI initiatives established under President Joe Biden.
The new changes mark a shift in national park policy toward prioritizing domestic visitors and scaling back inclusion-focused efforts that had been emphasized over the last two administrations.
