National Parks alter free entry days, adds Trump’s birthday and removes MLK Day
The National Park Service (NPS) has updated its free-entry calendar, adding free admission on President Donald Trump’s birthday (which coincides with Flag Day) but removing martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list. This change follows an proclamation from the Department of the Interior introducing new “resident-only patriotic fee-free days.” Under the previous Biden governance, MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were included as free-entry days.These modifications align with the trump administration’s efforts to “modernize” park services, including imposing new fees on foreign tourists at popular national parks.The updated 2026 free-entry days now include President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/trump’s birthday, July 4 weekend, the 110th birthday of the NPS, Constitution Day, former President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and Veterans Day. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized that these policies prioritize affordable access for U.S. taxpayers while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance.
National Park Service alters free entry days, adds Trump’s birthday and removes MLK Day, Juneteenth
The National Park Service updated its free-admission calendar, adding free entry for President Donald Trump’s birthday but removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list.
The Department of the Interior announced last month the new free-entry days at national parks, designating them as “resident-only patriotic fee-free days.” Under the Biden administration, NPS included MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth among its free-entry days.
The move comes as the Trump administration works to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives nationwide.
In April, NPS faced backlash for removing content from its website about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad and later restored it.
The park changes are part of the Trump administration’s “modernization” of park services. Recently, the Interior Department unveiled the “America-first” initiative, which would require foreign tourists without an annual pass to pay $100 extra per person at 11 of the most visited national parks.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a press release. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
Non-U.S. residents will still need to pay on entry-free days, the press release added.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ROLLS OUT NEW FEES FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS AT NATIONAL PARKS
In addition to including Trump’s birthday, which is also Flag Day, as a new free-entry day, NPS also added July 4 weekend, the 110th birthday of NPS, and former President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.
The 2026 free-entry days include President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/Trump’s birthday on June 14, July 4 weekend, 110th birthday of NPS on Aug. 25, Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Roosevelt’s birthday on Oct. 27, and Veterans Day.
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