A July 3 executive order will hike entrance costs for non‑U.S. visitors, give Americans first dibs on coveted permits, and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives across federal recreation sites.
Overseas adventurers eyeing the Grand Canyon or Great Smoky Mountains may want to pad their travel budgets. President Donald Trump says the new policy will “preserve opportunities for American families” while channeling extra revenue into long‑needed park upgrades. So who exactly will feel the pinch first?
Higher fees for foreign visitors aim to fund park improvements nationwide
Non‑citizens will soon pay steeper daily rates and more for annual passes such as America the Beautiful. While the Interior Department has not released a price sheet, officials pledge that every additional dollar will be recycled into trail repairs, visitor‑center renovations, and habitat restoration. U.S. residents keep current prices—and may even see discounted “family bundles” once the rulebook is final. Here, you have a immediate changes at a glance:
- International visitors: new tiered entry fee (amounts pending)
- America the Beautiful pass: price unchanged for citizens, rising for foreign tourists
- Fee revenue: earmarked solely for infrastructure and visitor services
- Implementation: phased in “park by park” over the next several months
Order also rolls back diversity policies and reshapes permit rules for Americans
The directive voids a 2017 Obama‑era memorandum that pushed agencies to highlight lesser‑known cultural stories and broaden public participation in land management. In practice, park superintendents will no longer draft DEI action plans or consult advisory groups focused on under‑represented communities.
Preferential treatment for citizens goes further. Lottery or permit systems—think Half Dome day hikes or Grand Canyon backcountry overnights—must now reserve slots for Americans before any remain available to the global queue. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the shift on X, calling it “a commonsense way to keep public lands in public hands.”
What visitors should do now to avoid surprises at park entrances this summer
Planning a July road trip? Check each park’s website weekly; fee schedules could change with little notice. International travelers should budget a cushion and book timed‑entry reservations early, since capacity may tighten once citizen‑first quotas kick in.
| Policy element | Previous approach | New directive (effective date TBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fee structure | Flat rate for all adults | Dual pricing: U.S. resident vs. non‑resident |
| DEI mandates | Required inclusion plans | Mandates revoked |
| Permit lotteries | Equal chance worldwide | Americans receive priority windows |
Consequently, domestic visitors can expect shorter lines, while global tourists shoulder the bill for modernizing aging trails and visitor centers. Whether that trade‑off will boost park budgets—or dampen international goodwill—remains to be seen.