The Trump administration will raise prices and add new fees next year for international tourists visiting national parks, the latest change amid steep cuts, understaffing and bureaucratic turmoil at the National Park Service and a significant decline in foreign tourism.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Interior Department, which manages federal land, said that, as of Jan. 1, it would more than triple the price of an annual park pass for nonresidents, from $80 to $250. Foreign tourists without an annual pass will also be charged $100 on top of the standard entrance fee to visit each of the 11 most popular national parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and the Grand Canyon.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Doug Burgum, the secretary of the interior, said in the statement. Foreigners who live in the United States will not be charged the new fees.
The increased pricing comes as more and more international tourists are choosing to stay away from the United States. Canadians, who have historically formed a large share of international travelers, are continuing to boycott American destinations amid President Trump’s trade war and harsh rhetoric directed at Canadians. Canadian travel to the United States has declined every month since Mr. Trump’s second term began.
And the National Park Service, which has been operating in the Trump administration without a permanent leader, is struggling to maintain the parks in the aftermath of deep cuts to the service. The agency has lost nearly a quarter of its staff since Mr. Trump took office, and routine tasks like cleaning and stocking the bathrooms in park facilities have gone undone. Fewer rangers are giving tours and lectures, and visitor centers now have reduced hours.
It is not clear what impact the price increases will have on visitation and revenue for the national parks. The parks have already lost millions of dollars this year because they lack the staff to operate entrances and collect visitor fees — including at some of the highly popular parks where the higher prices will apply.
The Interior Department’s announcement also said that U.S. residents would not have to pay to visit National Parks on six federal holidays, as well as on the birthday of the National Park Service, Aug. 25, and on June 14, which the statement noted is both Mr. Trump’s birthday and Flag Day.
Chris Cameron is a Times reporter covering Washington, focusing on breaking news and the Trump administration.
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