Park pass controversy
- Federal 2026 national park passes were redesigned, and a proposal to feature President Trump's image drew public criticism. - The pass changes were announced around Earth Day as part of broader park-system branding and policy updates. - The redesign and policy shifts sparked mixed reactions and public scrutiny during Earth Day coverage. (tennessean.com)(usatoday.com)
The federal America the Beautiful national park pass was redesigned for 2026 to include a portrait of President Donald Trump, drawing immediate backlash. (sfgate.com) The Department of the Interior announced the overhaul on Nov. 25, 2025 and said new digital passes and updated graphics launched Jan. 1, 2026. (doi.gov) The administration’s 2026 resident annual pass features portraits of President Donald Trump and George Washington, while a nonresident annual pass displays the National Park Foundation contest-winning Glacier National Park photo by Akshay Joshi. (forbes.com) Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity sued the Interior on Dec. 10, 2025, arguing the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act requires the annual pass to show the contest winner. (biologicaldiversity.org) Kierán Suckling, the center’s executive director, called the change “Trump’s crassest, most ego‑driven action yet” in the group’s complaint and press statement. (biologicaldiversity.org) On Earth Day, April 22, 2026, national media coverage revisited the redesign and related policy shifts amid broader park-system branding debate. (usatoday.com) Visitors and activists staged sticker protests at popular parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, and the Park Service clarified that passes “void if altered,” noting stickers or markings could invalidate a card. (vpm.org) The Interior also rolled out new pricing: U.S. resident annual passes remain $80, nonresidents face a $250 annual pass and a $100 per-person surcharge at 11 high-traffic parks, plus resident-only patriotic fee-free days including Feb. 16, May 25, June 14, July 3–5 and Aug. 25, 2026. (doi.gov) The Center for Biological Diversity’s case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where the group seeks an injunction to restore the Glacier image and block sale of the Trump‑fronted pass. (clearinghouse.net)
