Across Arizona Tours, represented pro bono by the Pacific Legal Foundation, has sued over Executive Order 14314 after the administration added a $100 surcharge for non-U.S. visitors at 11 national parks and raised foreign annual passes from $80 to $250. The surcharges, effective January 2026, are alleged to have caused international bookings to plummet and to exceed the Interior and Agriculture secretaries' authority under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. The administration says the policy protects affordable access for U.S. residents while asking foreign visitors to contribute more toward park upkeep. The case joins several recent legal challenges to the administration's executive orders.
Tour Company Sues Over Trump Executive Order Imposing $100 Surcharge on Foreign National Park Visitors
Visitors gather at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, in northwestern Arizona, the 15th site in the United States to have been named a national park. (Photo by Paul Harris/Getty Images)
A Phoenix-based operator, Across Arizona Tours, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a Trump administration executive order that sharply raised entrance fees for non-U.S. visitors at several national parks, including the Grand Canyon. Represented pro bono by the Pacific Legal Foundation, the company says the surcharges have caused international bookings to plummet and threaten its ability to operate.
What the Order Does
In July 2025 President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14314, titled "Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks." The order directed the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to add a $100 surcharge for any non-U.S. resident entering 11 national parks, on top of the regular entry fee, and to raise the cost of an annual pass for foreign visitors from $80 to $250. The additional charges took effect in January 2026.
The Lawsuit
Across Arizona Tours sued the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, the acting director of the National Park Service, and their agencies in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The complaint argues the executive branch exceeded its authority under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act by imposing disproportionately higher fees on non-residents without congressional approval.
Jacob Haas, Pacific Legal Foundation: The executive branch is stretching its statutory authority beyond what Congress actually authorized. Congress gave limited fee-setting power, and it did not permit charging non-residents more for the same benefits.
Administration Response
Department of the Interior and Agriculture officials have defended the policy as protecting affordable access for U.S. residents while asking foreign visitors to help cover upkeep and improvements.
Department of the Interior spokesperson: Thanks to President Donald J. Trump, U.S. residents, who already fund the National Park System through federal taxes, are continuing to enjoy affordable pricing, while foreign tourists are paying higher entrance fees to help maintain our parks and improve visitor experiences. This administration will continue to put American families first—making parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for future generations.
USDA spokesperson: This administration puts American families first by making sure access to our national treasures is affordable and accessible.
Local Impact and Broader Legal Context
Pacific Legal Foundation says the fee changes have led Across Arizona Tours' sales to fall sharply, reducing revenue not only for the tour operator but for hotels, restaurants and other businesses that depend on international tourism to the Grand Canyon region.
The challenge is one of several recent suits against the administration's executive actions. Earlier litigation forced the National Park Service and Interior Department to reinstate interpretive materials removed under a separate 2025 executive order concerning historical displays. Other cases involve disputes over birthright citizenship directives and attempts to obtain voter registration records.
Next Steps
The court will consider whether the executive order exceeded statutory authority and whether the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act permits differential fees based on residency. The outcome could affect how the federal government funds park maintenance and how visitor fees are set going forward.
Reporting note: Newsweek requested comment from the National Park Service and contacted Across Arizona Tours via their public inquiry channels.
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