If you’ve pulled up to a National Park entrance booth lately, things might feel a little different. Maybe the line was longer, or the ranger looked a bit more harried than usual. Or maybe you noticed the 2026 "America the Beautiful" pass. It doesn't feature a sweeping vista of the Tetons or a misty morning in the Smokies. Instead, it’s got side-by-side portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump.
It’s sparked a bit of a "sticker war" at the gates. Honestly, it’s kinda wild to see. Some folks love it; others are buying custom-made stickers of bison and bears to cover the President’s face, which has led the National Park Service (NPS) to issue a stern warning: deface the card, and it might not be valid.
But the "Trump effect" on our parks goes way deeper than a controversial piece of plastic in your wallet. It’s about money, people, and who actually gets to use the land.
The Big Payday: The Great American Outdoors Act
You can’t talk about the national park service trump era without mentioning the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Signed back in 2020, this was basically the biggest win for conservation since Teddy Roosevelt was riding horses through the badlands.
Before this, the parks were literally falling apart. We’re talking about a maintenance backlog that was pushing $12 billion. Leaky pipes at the Grand Canyon, crumbling roads in Yosemite—it was a mess. The GAOA set aside up to $1.9 billion a year specifically to fix that stuff.
It also did something huge: it made funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. Usually, Congress had to "re-approve" that money every year, and they often didn't. Now, $900 million flows in annually from offshore oil and gas royalties. It’s a bit ironic, sure—using oil money to save the woods—but it’s the law of the land now.
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The Staffing "Crunch" of 2025 and 2026
While the buildings are getting fixed, the people who run them are feeling the squeeze. If you’ve noticed fewer campfire talks or closed visitor centers, there’s a reason.
Recent data from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is pretty startling. Since the start of Trump’s second term in early 2025, the NPS has lost roughly 24% of its permanent staff. That is nearly a quarter of the workforce gone in about a year.
How? A mix of things:
- Aggressive "efficiency" mandates from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- A hiring freeze that left vacancies open.
- Early retirements from veterans who just weren't vibing with the new direction.
At Black Canyon of the Gunnison, they reportedly lost a third of their staff. When the custodial crew got cut, the higher-level maintenance guys—the ones who know how to fix complex power systems—were stuck cleaning bathrooms. It’s not exactly the most efficient use of specialized skills, but someone has to do it.
The administration argues this is about cutting "bureaucratic bloat." They want the money on the ground, not in regional offices. But for a ranger at a gate in the middle of a July heatwave, "bloat" feels like a very distant concept.
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"America First" at the Park Gates
There’s a new philosophy at play: if you pay U.S. taxes, you should get a break. If you don't, you pay up.
In July 2025, an Executive Order titled "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks" changed the math for international tourists. While the $80 price tag for the "America the Beautiful" pass stayed the same for residents, it jumped to **$250 for non-residents**.
On top of that, there's a $100 surcharge for foreign visitors at the "Big 11"—the heavy hitters like Yellowstone and Zion.
The idea is to use that extra revenue to bridge the gap between the GAOA funding and the actual cost of running these places. Secretary Doug Burgum has been vocal about this, saying it’s only fair that Americans get priority. In fact, some parks are now experimenting with "resident-only" windows for popular camping reservations.
The "Drill, Baby, Drill" Tension
This is where it gets really complicated. The Trump administration has never been shy about wanting to unleash American energy.
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been fast-tracking permits like crazy—up 55% in the last year alone. A lot of this is happening right on the doorstep of our national parks. In Utah, you can see pump jacks not far from the borders of Arches and Canyonlands.
Conservationists are worried about "viewsheds." Basically, you go to a park to see nature, not a drilling rig. There’s also the noise and the light pollution. But the administration’s stance is clear: energy independence is the priority, and as long as they aren't drilling inside the park boundaries, it’s fair game.
What This Means for Your Next Trip
So, what does this actually look like for you, the traveler? Honestly, it’s a mixed bag.
On one hand, you’re going to see a lot of construction. Those GAOA billions are being spent. You might run into road closures or renovated bathrooms that actually work. On the other hand, expect less "human" interaction. With staffing down, the NPS is leaning heavily on digital tools.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the New NPS Landscape:
- Download the NPS App Before You Go: Cell service in parks is notoriously terrible. With fewer rangers around to answer questions, the "Offline" maps in the official app are your best friend.
- Verify Your Pass: If you bought a 2026 pass and put a sticker over the President's face, be careful. Rangers have been told to check for "alterations." If the residue is thick or the image is obscured, they can void it, and you'll be out $80.
- Book Way Earlier: With "resident priority" starting to roll out in certain permit systems, the windows for booking are shifting. Check the specific park's website (nps.gov) at least 6 months out.
- Expect Crowds at the "Big 11": Despite the higher fees for international tourists, domestic travel to parks is at an all-time high. If you want peace and quiet, skip Yellowstone and head to places like North Cascades or Great Basin.
The national park service trump era is definitely a pivot. It’s moving away from the "service" model of the 20th century toward a more "user-pays, infrastructure-first" business model. Whether that preserves the "soul" of the parks is something people will be arguing about long after 2026.
To keep your trip on track, make sure to check the "Alerts" section on individual park websites daily, as staffing shortages can lead to sudden, temporary closures of specific trails or facilities.
What to do next:
- Check your pass: If you have an annual pass, look at the back for the new "validity" terms regarding alterations.
- Plan for 2027: If you're a resident, look for the upcoming "Priority Access" windows for summer 2027 backcountry permits, which are expected to open earlier than in previous years.
- Support local: Since federal staffing is down, many "Friends of [Park Name]" non-profits are stepping in to fill the gap in educational programming. Consider joining one for the park you visit most.