White House
Audio By Carbonatix
In my 33 years on this planet, I’ve never once put much thought into the America the Beautiful Pass, most commonly known as the National Parks Pass. I get a new one and move on. Unfortunately, it’s different this year.
In a normal world, winners of the Share the Experience Photo Contest are chosen as the images to go on the following year’s passes. For 2026, America’s 250th anniversary, they are doing things a bit differently in our nation’s capital.
I have no issue with a 250th commemorative pass; it’s a significant milestone. But instead of highlighting something “American” — say, the bald eagle or a bison — the U.S. Department of the Interior decided to do the ultimate troll job: use a photo of President Donald Trump (and one of George Washington). There is a second annual pass for non-residents, who will get a Glacier National Park photo (and have to pay a steep $250 for that annual pass, compared to $80 for U.S. citizens).
It’s just weird and depressingly ironic. (And might be illegal.)
This is a man who is leading an administration taking a hacksaw to the National Park Service and our public lands. Since January, around 25 percent of the National Park Service’s full-time staff have been lost. This totals 4,000 rangers, scientists, historians and more. The parks may look to the naked eye like they’re fine. But underneath the surface, it’s rocky.
And the America the Beautiful pass is for more than just National Parks. It’s all federal land. And this administration is finding every way to destroy our most pristine landscapes that will never be the same again.
Opening up drilling in the Arctic? Check.
New oil leases off the California coast? Check.
Restarting the Ambler Road to mine in the middle of Alaska’s wilderness? Check.
I could go on and on about this assault on the environment, but we’d be here for a while.
We may never know how Trump’s face ended up on the annual pass. But the weirdest part is, I doubt he even cares. He’s not an outdoors person. While I don’t have a log of Trump’s travel history, he’s not one who frequents National Park sites and camps, or even goes hiking on our public lands. I mean, it’s not clear if he’s even visited Yosemite or Yellowstone. Those are two of the most American places we have, and he doesn’t care. Again, ironic for someone who preaches “America first.”
The only saving grace about this situation – if there is one – is it will be a constant reminder to Americans across the country as to who is squarely at fault for undermining America’s Best Idea and the democratic values we all hold so dear in this country.
Avoid Trump, Buy Your Pass in December
Fortunately, for the millions of outdoor enthusiasts who prefer a park pass free of any face, there is a way to avoid this situation.
If you purchase your America the Beautiful Pass in December 2025, it will cover you for the next twelve months. This means you’ll be able to use it through December 2026 when, hopefully, we return to the normal way our passes are produced and you can enjoy a lovely landscape photo from somewhere in the United States for all of 2027.
Where to Buy Your Parks Pass
In the meantime, you can buy your Trump-face’-free pass next month on REI’s website, inside an REI store, on the feds’website or at a national park near you.
