Senators call on Trump administration to pause hike in national park fees
Source: The Hill
12/26/25 8:10 PM ET
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is calling on the Trump administration to pause its plan to raise national park entrance fees, calling the move discriminatory. Wyden is among a group of five senators who sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, raising concerns over national park entrance fee increases set to take place January 1. The senators argue the fee increases are taking place without proper notice, will slow entry into the parks and will limit visits from international tourists.
In November, the Department of the Interior announced a new fee structure, which will charge non-residents $250 for an annual national park pass. The passes will cost $80 for United States citizens and residents. According to Wydens office, this is the first time the U.S. is requiring proof of residency to access public lands.
The new fee structure also requires non-residents ages 16 and up, who do not have an annual pass, to pay $100 to enter 11 of the most visited parks in the country.
Americas national parks serve as destinations for visitors both domestically and internationally to experience our countrys natural beauty, cultural heritage, and history, the senators wrote to Burgum. While we understand that entrance and recreation fees are vital to enhancing the visitor experience, we want to ensure all feel welcome to enjoy all national treasures. Since these new fees are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, we strongly believe these fees are being implemented too quickly, without public input, and will be a barrier for both residents and non-residents alike.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5663826-senators-call-on-trump-administration-to-pause-hike-in-national-park-fees/
Link to Sen. Wyden PRESS RELEASE - Wyden, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Pause Discriminatory National Park Entry Fees
Link to LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) - https://www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Senate-Letter-to-DOI-re-Park-Entrance-Fees-12.23.25.pdf
Lovie777
(21,602 posts)Martin68
(26,961 posts)Bayard
(28,390 posts)Make fees unaffordable, people stop visiting. trump's cronies move in for logging and to build multi-million dollar homes. He considers parks to be a waste of space and resources.
popsdenver
(1,456 posts)there is a grift by Trump built into those new fees........In a few years, he will have increased the fee to thousands, tell us we have no visitors to the National Parks, and start selling off the land to corporations and the UBER wealthy.......
I am sure they would love to turn Yellowstone over to some energy company to harvest uber cheap geo-thermal energy that they can sell at outrageous premiums.........
And who would want to carry around a card with a giant picture of our Tyrant on it????????
There is a woman in boulder Co selling overlays you can stick on the card, to cover Trumps face......
She should have one with Teddy Roosevelt's picture, since HE is the one responsible for all of our National Parks.....
When our nation was first being formed as a Democracy, there was a frenchman? who stated:
"A Democracy will work until some people or groups of people figure out that they can vote themselves money"......
Some people = Uber Rich Groups of People = Corporations ??????????????
bluestarone
(21,082 posts)Jesus Christ, all that TSF is fucking up they choose this? WTF?