Recreation.gov
By Joe Edwards and Jasmine Laws
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National park visitors who cover President Donald Trump’s face on national park passes could find their pass voided.
SFGATE reported Monday that the Department of the Interior (DOI) had updated its 2026 “Void if Altered” rules, identifying stickers and other coverings as alterations that could render the pass invalid.
The outlet noted that it seemed to be a response to visitors planning to cover Trump’s image, which was set to start appearing on passes on January 1 despite legal challenges.
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A DOI spokesperson told Newsweek that such passes have long been void if altered, which the policy update did not change. “It provided additional clarification to help avoid confusion due to the volume of questions received from staff and visitors,” they said.
Why It Matters
The outlet previously reported that some artists had been selling stickers to cover the America the Beautiful passes—which cover entrance or standard amenity fees to thousands of recreation areas managed by multiple federal agencies, including the National Park Service. While DOI say the policy isn’t new, it could leave a national park visitor out of pocket should they need a new pass.
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What To Know
SFGATE reported it had obtained an internal DOI email from business specialists Allison Christofis and Jeff Beauchamp to National Park Service staff with the updated guidance via a Park Service employee who requested anonymity.
The report noted that the Park Service has long warned that passes may be invalidated if the signature area is changed, but that the updated policy also specifies that stickers placed on the front of the pass can void it.
“Defacing the pass in any way, including writing on it or adding stickers or other coverings, is a form of altering the pass,” the policy said, according to SFGATE. “Altering a pass can cover up important information and required security features necessary to prevent fraud.”
What People Are Saying
A DOI spokesperson told Newsweek in an email: “Interagency passes have long been void if altered, as stated on the pass itself. The most recent interim update for the 2026 pass year did not change that policy. It provided additional clarification to help avoid confusion due the volume of questions received from staff and visitors.”
The Park Service worker who shared the emails with SFGATE said, according to the outlet: “I’ve personally accepted passes that people put stickers on because they just like stickers and it’s never been a problem.
“If you buy a pass from REI, they have a little sticker on it that a lot of people don’t take off. We’ve accepted those and never had a problem.”
What Happens Next
SFGATE reported that the policy explained that staff may use discretion in accepting altered passes as long as security features remain visible. Employees can also ask visitors to remove stickers or require them to buy a day pass or replacement, it said.
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