United States: Donald Trump raises national park entrance fees for foreigners

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday an increase in national park entrance fees for foreign tourists in a bid to make these places "more affordable" for Americans.

"I just signed an executive order to raise entry fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans," Donald Trump said in Iowa during a rally to kick off the year of festivities leading up to the ^250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026.

"In national parks, it will be America first," he added, before affirming that the revenue generated will be used to improve the infrastructure of the vast national park system in the United States.

However, several environmental organizations have expressed alarm at the hundreds of layoffs among national park staff since Donald Trump took office in January, worrying about the consequences as the peak summer visitor season begins.