Visitors who slap stickers over President Donald Trump’s portrait on the 2026 “America the Beautiful” pass risk being charged for a new pass or a day fee, according to an internal National Park Service directive.
> At a Glance
> – New 2026 park passes carry Trump’s image next to George Washington
> – Staff told to strip off any stickers; altered passes may be ruled void
> – Cover-ups can trigger $80 replacement fee or daily entrance charge
> – Why it matters: A long-standing “void if altered” rule is being enforced more strictly after the controversial redesign
The Department of the Interior emailed park employees in late December ordering them to have visitors remove any stickers or tape obscuring the pass artwork. If the material won’t come off cleanly, the card can be treated as invalid and the holder billed for a day pass or a full-price replacement.
Policy Clarification
Elizabeth Peace, a DOI spokesperson, said the action simply restated existing language printed on every pass. “It provided additional clarification to help avoid confusion and support visitor interactions due to the volume of questions received,” her statement noted.
One ranger told SFGate that minor stickers have never caused problems before: “I’ve personally accepted passes that people put stickers on because they just like stickers and it’s never been a problem.”
Design Roll-Out and Pricing
The new artwork, revealed November 25, shows:
- Resident pass: Trump alongside George Washington
- Military pass: Trump saluting with back turned
- Non-resident pass: Glacier National Park photo (moved from the main pass under a lawsuit claim)
The pass price structure also changed January 1:
| Pass Type | 2026 Price |
|---|---|
| U.S. Residents | $80 |
| Non-residents | $250 |
Non-residents lacking an annual pass will pay an extra $100 per person to enter 11 high-traffic parks on top of standard entry fees.
Key Takeaways
- Altering or covering a 2026 park pass may now invalidate it
- Visitors could pay replacement fees or daily entrance costs
- The enforcement follows Trump’s newly added portrait
- A lawsuit argues the main pass should feature a Glacier National Park photo instead
The tightened enforcement begins as parks field increasing visitor questions about the redesigned passes and their new pricing tiers.
