Statement: America’s best idea now America’s greatest shakedown with new park fees
On Tuesday 25 November, the Trump Administration announced that as of January 1, 2026, foreign visitors will need to pay an additional $100 to visit 11 popular national parks—on top of existing fees. The park pass will also jump to $250 for international visitors, and they will be excluded from fee-free days.
Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, said in response:
“In a year where national park staff have already been cut by nearly 25%, we worry this will be yet another burden for already overworked employees. And to what end? International visitation has been an important economic driver for our parks and for gateway communities around the U.S., and this could end up negatively impacting them.
“While the Administration has not yet clarified the details of how this policy will be implemented or how the money will be used, we know there are better options. If the administration wants to support the National Park System, we urge them to help ensure our national parks are fully funded and fully staffed. That’s the answer rather than focusing on complicated directives that will only increase the workload for park staff already overstretched to keep everything running. National parks should be available and accessible to all, or America’s best idea will become America’s greatest shakedown.”