Trump Administration Implements Major National Park Policy Changes

The Interior Department announced a suite of changes affecting the National Park Service. Effective January 1, the “America the Beautiful” annual pass was set at $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents, with an additional $100 surcharge for non-residents at eleven heavily visited parks. A July 2025 order expanded hunting, fishing and recreational access and directed agencies to cut administrative delays, while the Park Service reported that 36 units had rescinded closures or restrictions. The administration also issued a March 2025 executive order to review and restore federal monuments, memorials, statues and markers it said had been altered to present a “false reconstruction” of American history.

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National Park Week, running through August 30, provides the backdrop for a nationwide “Day of Action” organized by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). The administration’s fiscal 2026 budget proposes $2.1 billion for the Park Service—$2 billion for operations—while redirecting Land and Water Conservation Fund money from land acquisition to deferred-maintenance projects. The prior fiscal 2025 proposal had sought $3.6 billion, including $3.1 billion for operations. The Interior Department cites a deferred-maintenance backlog exceeding $23 billion.

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• Annual-pass pricing: $80 (U.S. residents) vs. $250 (non-residents).

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• Surcharge for non-residents: $100 at 11 parks (Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion).

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• FY 2026 budget request: $2.1 billion total, $2 billion for operations.

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• FY 2025 request: $3.6 billion total, $3.1 billion for operations.

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• Workforce loss: NPCA reports the Park Service has lost nearly 25 percent of its permanent staff since January 2025.

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• Maintenance backlog: $23 billion.

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• Day of Action: 30 events in 20 locations.

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The Interior Department framed the differentiated fee structure as a means to keep access affordable for U.S. taxpayers while generating revenue from international visitors. The White House described the historical-interpretation order as a correction of “false narratives.” The NPCA countered that the order has led to the removal of exhibits on slavery, Indigenous treatment and climate science, characterizing it as an attempt to “erase or rewrite” history. An NPCA spokesperson reiterated that the organization, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, does not endorse or fund political candidates.

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During National Park Week, the NPCA’s Day of Action will feature daily themes—from “America in Motion” on August 24 to “Junior Ranger Day” on August 30—encouraging public participation and advocacy for increased funding and protection of the national park system.

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