The cost to enter National Parks is about to go up for some tourists under a new order signed by President Donald Trump, which also revokes Obama-era DEI efforts.
The order issued July 3 directs federal agencies to increase entrance fees and recreation pass fees, such as the America the Beautiful pass, at all national parks for non-U.S. residents. Trump’s order emphasizes that all Americans should have “preferential treatment with respect to any remaining recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules.
According to the order, revenue collected from the higher fees from non-U.S. residents will go toward infrastructure improvements and enhancements across all national park sites to increase visitor capacity. It also instructs the Secretary of the Interior to review maintenance needs and to “especially scrutinize all recreational access rules or other restrictions promulgated or enacted during the prior administration.”
Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s order and your visit to a national park, site, area or trail this summer.
How many national parks in the US?
Under the National Park System, the National Park Service manages 433 units and parks covering more than 85 million acres across all 50 states, D.C. and US territories. There are national battlefields, historical parks, historic sites, monuments, memorials, preserves, trails, seashores and more. Of those, there are 63 national parks, ranging from Acadia National Park in Maine to the Everglades in Florida and out west to Zion, Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks.
What state has the most national parks?
California has the most national parks with nine total, including Zion, Redwood, Valley and Joshua Tree national parks, and Alaska has eight national parks, which include Denali and Glacier Bay national parks.
Are there national parks in NJ?
New Jersey does not have any national parks; rather, the state has National Park Service sites such as recreation areas, trails, monuments or reserves.
NJ park fees
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
There are no fees to explore the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey, which extends for 72 miles.
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
The Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area encompasses 2,155 square miles in NJ and has Gateway sites across multiple locations, including Morristown National Historic Park, For Lee Historic Park and more. For more information visit the official website.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area does not charge entrance fees to visit the park, but there may be amenity fees for swimming, picnicking and launching boats. Find the areas that charge fees, which cover maintenance costs, here.
Ellis Island (Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument)
Ellis Island and the Statute of Liberty National Monument does not have an entrance fee, but you need to take a ferry boat to visit the islands. Ferry tickets cost $25.50 for adults 13 and older; seniors 62 and older are $22.50; $16.50 for children aged 4-12; and children under 4 are free.
Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook)
There are no entrance fees for Gateway National Recreation Area; however, there is a charge for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day at Jacob Riis Park at Sandy Hook and in Queens, New York. Beach parking fees are $20 per day or $100 per season. Here’s more details and how you can use your park pass to get a discount.
Great Egg Harbor River
The National Park Service does not collect any fees at the Great Egg Harbor River.
Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
The Lower Delaware includes multiple independent sites between NJ and Pennsylvania, each with its own state and local management. See the locations here.
Morristown National Historic Park
The Morristown National Park has no entrance fee.
New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
There is no fee to enjoy the New Jersey Pinelands.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
The Paterson Great Falls does not have a fee to enter. The Paterson Museum does have a suggested donated of $2 per adult
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Thomas Edison National Park entrance fee is $15 for standard entry for adults 16 years of age and older; children 15 and younger are free. You can buy a pass online or purchase at the visitor center. You can also purchase an annual pass for $45 or the America the Beautiful Pass, which ranges from free for some residents and upwards of $80.
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary trail, which weaves through New Jersey, does not have an entrance fee.
How does Trump’s order affect NJ national parks?
It remains unclear when the new fees will be implemented or how much the fees would raise for non-U.S. visitors.
U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum acknowledged Trump’s order on X, stating that it would ensure national parks “stay accessible, sustainable and protected for future generations to come.”
Data from the nonprofit U.S. Travel Association shows the number of overseas travelers that visited national parks in the U.S. has increased yearly, with over 13 million in 2017, the latest data available. Those numbers were expected to increase in 2018.
DEI policy rollback
President Donald Trump’s executive order rescinds a 2017 memorandum issued by former President Barack Obama, which promoted diversity and inclusion. The directive sought to promote equal opportunity for federal agency workers regardless of race, color, disability, ethnicity, age, veteran status and more, and encouraged fairness and diversity throughout. Agencies were tasked with improving access to public lands and waterways for all Americans and were encouraged to seek input from diverse populations to increase awareness of specific programs and opportunities. The order also sought to protest at-risk historic, cultural and natural sites, which were also a focus during President Joe Biden’s administration.
Fee free days at National Parks 2025
Throughout 2025, there are several fee free days at all National Park Service sites for all visitors. According to the Department of Interior, these are the remaining free admission days:
Saturday, Sept. 27: National Public Lands Day
Sunday, Oct. 12: First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
Tuesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ’s parks, sites: Trump orders entry fee increase for some tourists