The additional revenue generated by higher fees from foreign tourists will raise hundreds of millions of dollars for conservation and deferred maintenance projects to improve national parks, the White House said in a statement.

Trump spoke about the change at his wild rally at the Iowa State Fair Thursday, meant to serve as an introduction to his celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

'To fund improvements and enhanced experiences across the park system, I've just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans,' he said. 

'The national parks will be about America first.' 

The executive order directs the Interior Department, parent agency of the Park Service, to increase entrance fees paid by park visitors from abroad, but does not say by how much or when the rates would go into effect.

It also directs the Park Service to ensure that U.S. residents receive priority access over foreign visitors in any of its permitting or reservation systems.

'It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents, and expanding opportunities to enjoy America's splendid national treasures,' Trump wrote. 

Trump also revoked a 2017 memorandum from Barack Obama that promoted diversity in the parks service.  

Currently, U.S. citizens in effect pay more than foreign tourists to visit the nation's scenic natural wonders and historic landmarks because their admissions fees and a portion of their U.S. tax dollars support the cost of national parks, the statement said.

The executive order comes as the Trump administration has proposed cutting more than $1billion from the Park Service budget in fiscal 2026, which would represent a reduction of more than a third of the agency's budget from the prior year.

The administration's cuts to the federal workforce have already aggravated a staff shortage in national parks across the country.

It was one of the announcements as Trump took a victory lap after Congress passed his 'Big Beautiful Bill' Thursday night in Iowa, where he pledged to give the United States a big, beautiful birthday.