The National Park Service has enacted stricter guidelines for its annual pass in response to controversy surrounding the depiction of President Trump on the 2026 America the Beautiful pass. This new pass, unlike its traditional designs showcasing natural landscapes, features portraits of Presidents George Washington and Trump side by side, prompting significant public backlash.
Key Changes to the America the Beautiful Pass
The America the Beautiful pass gives holders access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for $80. Traditionally, the pass has highlighted stunning vistas and wildlife through selections made during public photo contests.
- Past winners showcased images like Arches National Park and roaming bison.
- The 2026 design sparked protests and a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity.
- New guidelines state that passes can be deemed void if altered, now explicitly including stickers or markings.
Public Response and Sticker Campaign
Protesters have taken to social media, sharing images of altered passes where Trump’s image is covered with stickers. Jenny McCarty, a graphic designer and long-time park volunteer, initiated a sticker campaign to cover the president’s face, with proceeds directed to conservation nonprofits. McCarty reported a $16,000 donation made last December, emphasizing community power.
McCarty noted that the movement is focused on politics remaining separate from national parks, criticizing the Interior Department’s disregard for public sentiment.
Lawsuits and Official Statements
The conservation group Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the new pass design, claiming it violates federal regulations stipulating that the annual pass should feature contest-winning photographs. They argue that the represented image of Glacier National Park should replace Trump’s portrait.
The National Park Service’s updated guidance aims to clarify that passes altered by stickers or other markings may be rejected at park officials’ discretion. Previously, only changes to the signature strip voided the pass. Interior officials have stated that this clarification addresses confusion that visitors might experience.
Mixed Opinions on the Design
Opinions regarding the new design are divided. Supporters, such as Vince Vanata, GOP chairman of Park County, Wyoming, believe the design serves as a tribute to the country’s 250th anniversary. In contrast, pass holders like Erin Quinn Gery denounce the move as inappropriate, likening it to self-glorification.
Gery emphasized that it is better to be celebrated by others rather than commemorating oneself, reinforcing the notion that public lands should remain politically neutral. The debate surrounding the 2026 America the Beautiful pass illustrates broader tensions about political representation in national spaces.
