Trump Drops MLK Day, Adds Own Birthday to National Park Free Entry List

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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free days at U.S. national parks for 2026, replacing them with observances that emphasize presidential history and patriotism.

According to a recent announcement from the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service will no longer offer free entry on MLK Day or Juneteenth — both federal holidays that have previously granted free access to more than 400 national park sites across the country.

MLK Day had been recognized as a fee-free day since 2018, while Juneteenth was added in 2024.

Instead, the 2026 calendar includes new dates such as Flag Day on June 14 — which coincides with former President Donald Trump’s birthday — and the birthdays of former presidents including Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington. Constitution Day, Independence Day weekend, and Memorial Day also remain on the list.

Policy Shifts Spark Criticism

In a statement reported by Newsweek, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the changes are aligned with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Burgum said. “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.”

Critics have raised concerns about the implications of removing holidays that commemorate civil rights and Black history.

“The removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth from fee-free days just helps to accelerate the trend toward reducing information about our nation’s struggle toward liberty and justice for all,” Mary Frances Berry, a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, told Newsweek.

Tyrhee Moore, executive director of Soul Trak Outdoors, told SFGATE the decision “sends a troubling message about who our national parks are for.”

“These holidays hold profound cultural and historical significance for Black communities,” Moore said. “Eliminating them as access points feels like a direct targeting of the very groups who already face systemic barriers to the outdoors.”

Comparison With 2025 Free Days

In 2025, the National Park Service waived entry fees on the following days:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20)
First day of National Park Week (Apr. 19)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (Aug. 24)
National Public Lands Day (Sept. 27)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)

For 2026, the updated list includes:

Presidents’ Day (Feb. 16)
Memorial Day (May 25)
Flag Day (June 14), also President Trump’s Birthday
Independence Day weekend (July 3–5)
National Park Service’s 110th birthday (Aug. 25)
Constitution Day (Sept. 17)
Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27)
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)

The National Park Foundation confirms that fee-free days are selected each year by the Department of the Interior and National Park Service, typically based on federal holidays, public lands events, and historically significant dates.

Digital Passes and New Visitor Fees

The Interior Department also announced a new mobile-friendly version of the “America the Beautiful” park pass, which will allow digital purchase and entry through mobile devices. According to reporting by People, the redesigned passes will feature portraits of George Washington and Donald Trump.

In addition to policy changes affecting American visitors, the department introduced new entry fees for international tourists. While U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 annually for a park pass, nonresidents will be charged $250 per year or $100 per person for single-entry access to 11 of the country’s most visited national parks.

The first fee-free day of 2026 will take place on Presidents’ Day, Feb. 16. MLK Day, which falls on Jan. 20, is not included.

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