This article was originally published in the Wall Street Journal.
Nothing quite symbolizes the America First vision like our national parks. The U.S. created the first national park in 1872. But today the park system needs an estimated $23 billion for overdue maintenance and repairs. As President Trump pushes to treat our natural resources as national assets, he should consider a smart fix: a surcharge on the parks’ millions of international visitors.
Surprisingly, at America’s national parks, which contain some of the most beautiful and breathtaking places on earth, international guests pay the same entry fee as U.S. citizens. At Yellowstone, both locals and foreign tourists pay $35 a vehicle for seven days of access. For the average family of four over a long weekend trip, that breaks down to about $3 per person a day to see one of the natural wonders of the world.
That’s a rare bargain. Differential pricing for domestic and international visitors is standard practice worldwide. Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park charges locals $14 while international visitors pay $56. Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands charges foreign tourists more than six times what national citizens pay. At South Africa’s Kruger National Park, locals pay $7 while international tourists pay $29.
When Americans visit these bucket-list destinations abroad, we rarely think twice about these fees given the relative cost to the overall trip. A surcharge here would likely be met with similar indifference. International travelers have already invested thousands of dollars in flights, meals and accommodations. A $100 surcharge would represent a fraction of the average foreign visitor’s total vacation budget.
Implementing a surcharge could be as easy as asking visitors to present identification when entering, something annual national-park pass holders already do during each visit. Collection methods could vary to include such efficient options as advanced online purchasing. Select popular parks could pilot potential changes before broader use.
The math is compelling. With roughly 14 million international visitors to U.S. national parks annually, a $100 surcharge would generate, even allowing for a bit of price elasticity, over $1.2 billion a year. This critical funding would address crumbling infrastructure, improve visitor experience and enhance conservation efforts nationwide.
Some might argue this proposal appears unwelcoming. But by ensuring that parks receive proper funding, we guarantee that the experiences that draw international travelers remain world-class.
User fees would also depoliticize park funding, which mostly comes from congressional appropriations. Generating more revenue through visitor fees—80% of which stay within the park—would allow parks to become less dependent on the Beltway. The $100 surcharge would almost generate annually what parks currently receive from the Great American Outdoors Act that Mr. Trump signed in 2020.
The Trump administration’s focus on government efficiency provides the perfect chance to implement this idea. After a recent meeting on the topic of parks, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told me, “Setting National Park entrance fees for foreign visitors at market rates is a common-sense, billion-dollar-revenue idea to help fund much needed infrastructure and improvements that will benefit our precious parks for our children and our children’s children.”
This is only one idea among many. A new report published by my organization offers a range of market-based approaches to help steward public lands more effectively.
Our national parks are America’s best idea. Let’s ensure they stay great and protected by all who enjoy them.
