Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Prioritizing US Residents Over Foreign Tourists At National Parks

America’s national parks are about to cost more for international visitors. President Trump has signed a new order raising fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans.

Key Facts:

President Trump signed an executive order increasing national park entrance fees for foreign tourists.
The goal is to fund improvements and make parks more affordable for U.S. residents.
American citizens will also get priority access when space is limited or permits are needed.
Trump’s second order created a “Make America Beautiful Commission” focused on public land access and conservation.
An Obama-era diversity directive for the National Park Service was rescinded.

The Rest of The Story:

At a rally in Iowa, President Trump announced new actions to refocus national park access and funding around American citizens.

One executive order raised entrance and recreation pass fees for foreign visitors.

According to Trump, “The National Parks will be about America First.”

The funds generated will help improve infrastructure and accessibility for Americans.

In the order, Trump stated his aim to preserve national parks “for American families in future generations.”

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum was directed to implement the fee changes and create preferential permitting rules for U.S. citizens.

A second executive order created the “Make America Beautiful Commission,” including senior Cabinet officials.

This group will develop policies to improve conservation and expand recreational access for activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and off-roading.

Commentary:

This move to charge foreign tourists more to visit America’s national parks is a long-overdue correction.

These parks were created and funded by American taxpayers for American families.

It’s only fair that visitors from abroad contribute more to their upkeep.

While millions of international tourists enjoy our natural wonders each year, the growing traffic has strained park systems and crowded out U.S. residents.

Timed-entry systems and limited permits have made it harder for everyday Americans to visit the parks their tax dollars support.

Giving priority to U.S. residents is common sense. Whether it’s reserving prime camping slots or controlling crowds on popular trails, Americans deserve a better shot at experiencing their own country’s beauty.

This policy also delivers real value by directing the extra revenue into repairs and improvements.

Trails, facilities, and infrastructure are in dire need of upgrades. Foreign tourists can help foot the bill.

The Obama-era focus on diversity in park staffing and outreach may have sounded good on paper, but it often ignored the core mission: protecting and maintaining the parks themselves for public use.

That order is now gone—and rightly so. President Trump’s action makes clear that America’s parks should serve the American people first.

That’s not exclusionary—it’s practical. Just as many other countries prioritize their citizens when managing public resources, so should we.

The newly formed commission is also a welcome development. With its emphasis on access, conservation, and collaboration over regulation, it sets a tone of stewardship without bureaucracy.

This is the kind of forward-looking policy Americans want to see—protecting our national treasures while ensuring they remain open, affordable, and enjoyable for generations to come.