In its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal released in May, the Interior Department estimated that such a surcharge would generate more than $90 million annually.
I’m sure having to have your ID checked when visiting your own national parks won’t have anything to do with ICE. This will impact Americans more than it will by costing a few extra dollars for international visitors.
Trump is just stupid. Many countries that rely on tourism do this, they have free or near free entry for citizens and ~$20-100 entry for foreigners. This helps them generate a significant portion of their annual budget.
I haven’t verified these numbers, but quick searching days that roughly 14–15 million foreign tourists visit U.S. national parks each year, accounting for about 4% of total park visits. If we charge $20 per person for international visitors, that’s $280–300 million annually… that’s… Peanuts for the US.
I wouldn’t be opposed to it at all if the fees are only used to preserve and maintain the national parks, but you know this fucker just wants to funnel the money into deep pockets.
I had this happen in India, although I don’t know if it was the particular site or if it was a general policy. I saw it as paying less than I would have paid for a comparable museum at home, while citizens are encouraged to connect with their heritage. I was fine with it.
But the US is an expensive place, so you’re only making it unobtainable. National parks should not be a profit center, and I barely agree with charging anyone. I especially disagree with requiring ID, making this logically unenforceable.
And of course I’d expect this to turn into racism really quickly.
I’m sure having to have your ID checked when visiting your own national parks won’t have anything to do with ICE. This will impact Americans more than it will by costing a few extra dollars for international visitors.
Trump is just stupid. Many countries that rely on tourism do this, they have free or near free entry for citizens and ~$20-100 entry for foreigners. This helps them generate a significant portion of their annual budget.
I haven’t verified these numbers, but quick searching days that roughly 14–15 million foreign tourists visit U.S. national parks each year, accounting for about 4% of total park visits. If we charge $20 per person for international visitors, that’s $280–300 million annually… that’s… Peanuts for the US.
I wouldn’t be opposed to it at all if the fees are only used to preserve and maintain the national parks, but you know this fucker just wants to funnel the money into deep pockets.
Which countries charges $20-100 for visiting an equivalent of a national park or museum? Not questioning you, but curious.
There are places that charges a tourist tax that is for everyone not living there and paid through the hotel or tourist apartment.
I had this happen in India, although I don’t know if it was the particular site or if it was a general policy. I saw it as paying less than I would have paid for a comparable museum at home, while citizens are encouraged to connect with their heritage. I was fine with it.
But the US is an expensive place, so you’re only making it unobtainable. National parks should not be a profit center, and I barely agree with charging anyone. I especially disagree with requiring ID, making this logically unenforceable.
And of course I’d expect this to turn into racism really quickly.