The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free entry days at U.S. national parks, while adding President Donald Trump’s birthday, which also falls on Flag Day (June 14), according to updated guidance from the National Park Service (NPS).
The changes will take effect January 1, reshaping which days Americans can visit national parks without paying entrance fees.
What changed
Previously, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth were designated as fee-free days under the Biden administration. Those dates are no longer included on the 2026 calendar.
Instead, the Interior Department has labeled the revised list “resident-only patriotic fee-free days.” In addition to Trump’s birthday, new or retained dates include:
- Presidents’ Day (February)
- Memorial Day (May)
- Independence Day weekend (July 3–5)
- 110th Anniversary of the National Park Service (August 25)
- Constitution Day (September 17)
- President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
Several previously observed dates, including National Public Lands Day, the first day of National Park Week, and the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, were removed.
Resident-only access and higher fees for foreign visitors
Under new rules, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents will qualify for fee-free entry on these dates. Non-U.S. residents will still be required to pay standard entrance fees — plus additional surcharges.
At 11 of the nation’s most popular national parks, international visitors will face a $100 non-resident surcharge, while the annual park pass will rise to $250 for non-residents, compared with $80 for residents beginning in 2026.
The policy follows a July executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize U.S. residents in access to public lands and increase revenue from foreign tourism.
Administration justification and reaction
The Department of the Interior described the changes as part of President Trump’s effort to make parks “more accessible, affordable, and efficient for the American people.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the policy ensures U.S. taxpayers — who already fund the park system — receive priority access while international tourists “contribute their fair share” to park maintenance.
However, the Interior Department, White House, and NPS did not immediately respond to media requests for comment on the removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth.
Broader context
The changes come as the Trump administration rolls back federal content and programming tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Earlier this year, the NPS temporarily removed references to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad from its website before restoring them following public backlash.
Tourism groups warn that international visitors play a significant role in park economies. In 2018, more than 14 million international tourists visited U.S. national parks, with some parks reporting foreign visitors made up 15–30% of total attendance.
