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National Park Service drops two civil rights holidays from free-entry list
The U.S. National Park Service will no longer offer free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth starting in 2026, as part of a policy shift announced by the Trump administration.
New fee structure prioritizes American citizens
The changes follow an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in July, which directs the park service to modernize its pricing model. Under the new rules, U.S. residents will retain free access on designated days, while non-citizens will face higher fees.
The agency confirmed that foreign visitors will still be required to pay entrance fees even on fee-free dates.
Revised 2026 fee-free calendar
For 2026, U.S. residents will enjoy free entry on the following dates: President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day (also Trump's birthday), Independence Day weekend, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and Veterans Day.
The Biden administration had previously included Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as fee-free days, but both have now been removed.
Foreign visitors face steep fee increases
While U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 for an annual park pass, the cost for non-residents will rise from $80 to $250, according to the Department of the Interior. Additionally, visitors without a pass will now pay a $100 surcharge per person at 11 of the most popular parks, on top of standard entrance fees.
The Interior Department estimates the new surcharges will generate over $90 million annually, as outlined in its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal.
Administration defends policy as pro-American
"President Trump's leadership always puts American families first. 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."
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Controversy over holiday removals
The decision to remove MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the fee-free list aligns with broader Trump administration policies. On his first day in office this year, Trump issued an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from federal agencies, which led many departments to scale back or eliminate celebrations tied to those holidays.
Despite the changes, both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth remain federal holidays.
In June, the administration held a military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary-an event that coincided with Flag Day and Trump's birthday.
White House yet to comment
The BBC has reached out to the White House for a response but has not received a statement as of publication.
