Key Highlights
- The Trump administration has added President Donald Trump’s birthday as a fee-free national park day for the first time.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the free entry calendar, drawing criticism from civil rights leaders.
- The Department of Interior is overhauling the fee-free calendar with new dates to align with historical and patriotic themes.
- Changes include adding Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and Flag Day as fee-free days.
New Fee-Free Days for National Parks
The Trump administration is making significant changes to the free entry calendar at national parks in 2026. Among the additions are President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14, Flag Day, Constitution Day, and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday – each marking historic or patriotic events. These dates will allow visitors to enter these protected areas without paying entrance fees for the first time.
Removing Established Holidays
While adding new free entry days, the administration is also making notable changes by eliminating established holidays that have long been associated with public observance and celebration. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, both recognized as important dates in Black American history, will no longer be fee-free days under the 2026 schedule.
These moves have sparked criticism from civil rights leaders and Democratic lawmakers who argue that the elimination of these holidays undermines their significance to Black Americans’ struggle for freedom and civil rights.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada voiced her opposition, stating that both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free entry days in 2025 and that removing them is a step backward.
Civil Rights Advocates Respond
National Parks Conservation Association spokesperson Kristen Brengel highlighted the importance of these holidays for community groups, noting that MLK Jr. Day often serves as a day of service where volunteers conduct projects at parks. She emphasized that such changes are concerning and detrimental to commemorating Black Americans’ contributions.
Interior Department’s Broader Overhaul
In conjunction with the new free entry schedule, the Department of Interior is implementing broader changes to park access in 2026. These include a shift towards fully digital America the Beautiful passes that can be purchased and displayed on mobile devices through Recreation.gov. The passes will remain valid across multiple parks, enhancing accessibility for visitors.
The agency is also adjusting its fee structure to emphasize lower costs for U.S. residents and higher prices for international visitors.
The annual pass will cost $80 for Americans but increase to $250 for nonresidents. Foreign visitors without a pass will pay an additional $100 per person at 11 of the most visited national parks.
Impact on International Visitors
The changes aim to generate more revenue, which the department claims will be used for facility upgrades and maintenance projects across the park system. Additionally, the administration is broadening access for motorcycle riders by allowing all America the Beautiful passes to cover two motorcycles instead of one.
Conclusion
The reshaping of free entry days at national parks marks a significant departure from previous calendars that emphasized long-standing civil rights observances. While these changes aim to celebrate historical and patriotic events, they are also drawing scrutiny for their potential impact on commemorating Black American history and the broader civil rights movement.
As the implementation approaches in 2026, observers will be watching closely to see how these changes affect both park visitors and the broader cultural narrative surrounding national parks and holidays in America. The Trump administration’s decisions continue to resonate in ongoing debates about public land use, history, and identity within the country.