Trump’s New Rules for US National Parks: Foreign Tourists Pay More as Parks Sink into Crisis
National Parks on the Brink of Collapse America’s beloved national parks, those natural gems we all love to visit, are facing a serious crisis. Despite a record-breaking 330 million visitors last year—6 million more than the year before—the parks are drowning in financial troubles. The number of full-time employees in the National Park Service has dropped by a staggering 24% since January, and seasonal workers have been hired at only half the needed amount. The result? Closures, reduced programs, and poor emergency responses in parks like Yosemite in California and Big Bend in Texas.
Trump’s Executive Order: Foreign Tourists Targeted President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating higher entrance fees for foreign tourists to US national parks. Why? Officially, the extra revenue will go towards urgent maintenance and conservation projects. But there’s no clear word on how much prices will rise or when the new rules will take effect. Additionally, American citizens will get priority in booking permits, pushing foreign visitors further down the line.
Budget Cuts and Price Hikes – A Recipe for Disaster This decision comes as the Trump administration proposes slashing the National Park Service’s budget by over a billion dollars in the fiscal year—a cut that represents more than a third of the total reduction compared to the previous year. While the administration expects increased revenue from foreign tourists, it claims domestic visitors already pay more—not just in entrance fees but also through taxes that fund park operations.
The Consequences Are Already Showing The drop in staff and funding has already caused problems in park maintenance. Programs have been cut, and closures have become more frequent. Even with rising attendance, parks struggle to maintain infrastructure and provide quality services to visitors.
Is This the End for America’s National Parks? As foreign tourists brace for higher fees and locals get booking priority, the parks sink deeper into financial and staffing crises. Will Trump’s policies save or destroy these natural treasures? One thing’s clear—the situation is alarming and demands urgent attention.
So, what do you think about these measures? Is it fair for foreign tourists to pay more while the budget shrinks? Or is this just another trick to keep the parks afloat? Drop a comment and let the conversation roll!
