The “America the Beautiful” pass has long been a symbol of bipartisan appreciation for the natural world. For $80, it grants access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, from the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone. Traditionally, these cards have showcased the winning entries of the National Park Foundation’s annual photo contest—stunning vistas of bison, sun-drenched canyons, or delicate flora.
However, as of January 1, 2026, the scenery has changed. The new 2026 annual pass features side-by-side portraits of President George Washington and President Donald Trump. The design choice, described by the Department of the Interior (DOI) as a “patriotic modernization” to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, a wave of creative “DIY” resistance, and now, a stern federal crackdown.
The Sticker Rebellion: Nature Strikes Back
Almost as soon as the design was unveiled in late 2025, a cottage industry of protest art emerged. Across platforms like Etsy, Instagram, and TikTok, artists began selling small, high-quality stickers specifically designed to fit over the portrait section of the pass. These stickers feature everything from grizzly bears and pikas to classic National Park Service (NPS) “arrowhead” logos.
The movement, often tagged as #Stickergate, isn’t just about aesthetics. For many, it’s a statement on the neutrality of public lands.
“The parks belong to everyone, regardless of their political leanings,” says Jenny McCarty, a Colorado-based watercolor artist who has raised over $16,000 for conservation through her sticker sales. “By putting a sitting president’s face on the pass, the DOI has turned a tool for conservation into a tool for branding. We’re just trying to put the ‘nature’ back in the National Parks.”
The Crackdown: “Void if Altered”
The federal government is not taking the protest lightly. Internal memos from the DOI, first reported by SFGATE, reveal that the agency has updated its “Void if Altered” guidelines specifically to address these coverings.
While the policy has always stated that passes are invalid if the signature strip is tampered with, the 2026 interim update explicitly flags stickers, markings, or other coverings on the front of the card as grounds for invalidation.
What Happens if You Use a Sticker?
According to the memo sent by DOI business specialists Allison Christofis and Jeff Beauchamp, NPS rangers at entrance gates have been instructed to:
- Request Removal: Ask the visitor to remove the sticker or covering immediately.
- Verify Integrity: Inspect the card for residue or damage that might obscure security features like the mountain-shaped foil hologram or micro-printing.
- Charge Full Entry: If the sticker cannot be removed or if the card is deemed “defaced,” the ranger may refuse the pass. The visitor would then be required to pay the standard daily entrance fee—which can be up to $35—or purchase a brand-new $80 pass.
The Legal Battle: Is the Design Even Legal?
The controversy has moved from the park gates to the courtroom. In December 2025, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the new design violates the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004.
The advocacy group argues that the law mandates the “America the Beautiful” pass feature the winning photograph from the public lands photo contest. For 2026, that winner was a breathtaking shot of Glacier National Park. Instead of appearing on the standard annual pass, that image was relegated to a newly created “Nonresident” pass—part of a tiered pricing system that now charges international visitors $250 for annual access.
“This is Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet,” said Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center. “Covering a president’s face is not fraud; it’s a form of symbolic speech.”
How to Protect Your Pass (and Your Wallet)
For visitors who want to keep their $80 investment valid while still participating in the protest, rangers and legal experts suggest a few workarounds that avoid “altering” the physical card:
- The Sleeve Method: Many visitors are placing their pass inside a clear plastic card protector and applying the sticker to the outside of the sleeve. This allows the pass to remain physically pristine.
- Static Cling Covers: Similar to window decals, these can be peeled off instantly if a ranger asks to see the “official” face of the card.
- Renew Early (The 2025 Strategy): Many savvy hikers purchased their 2025 passes in late December, ensuring they have a “nature-themed” card valid through most of 2026.
A Strained Relationship at the Gate
The crackdown has put NPS rangers in a difficult position. One anonymous employee told SFGATE that enforceability is a nightmare: “I’ve accepted passes with stickers for years because people like to decorate their gear. To suddenly treat a grizzly bear sticker as ‘fraud’ is going to lead to some very ugly confrontations at the gate during peak season.”
As the 2026 park season ramps up, the “America the Beautiful” pass remains a flashpoint for a nation divided. Whether you see the new design as a patriotic tribute or a political intrusion, one thing is certain: if you want to keep your pass valid, you might want to keep the stickers in your pocket.