Joshua Tree National Park entry fees could increase for international visitors

On July 3, President Donald Trump signed an executive order called “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks.” 

The text of the executive order was officially published on Wednesday (June 9). It directs the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to “develop a strategy to increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks by appropriately increasing entrance fees and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas of the National Park System that charge entrance fees or recreation pass fees.”

The executive order also directs the Secretary to grant American residents preferential treatment with respect to any remaining recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules.

The Department of the Interior has not yet issued any further comment about the status of the plan or any upcoming change in fees, or how a visitor’s residency will be proven.

Z107.7 contacted Joshua Tree National Park staff to see how our local park may be impacted but have not yet received a response.

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.