Trump Administration Revamps National Park Fee-Free Days, Adds President’s Birthday and Drops MLK Day, Juneteenth

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service announced a major overhaul of its 2026 fee-free entry calendar, adding President Donald Trump’s birthday for the first time while eliminating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth — a move that quickly drew sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers.

Under the new schedule, the five fee-waived days will be:

• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• June 14 (President Trump’s birthday, which coincides with Flag Day)
• Constitution Day and the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service
• Veterans Day

The previous calendar had included Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the start of National Park Week.

Critics called the removal of the two holidays honoring Black history and civil rights deliberate and divisive.

“Let’s be clear: the President didn’t just add his own birthday — he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., wrote on X.

The National Parks Conservation Association expressed concern that dropping MLK Day would disrupt long-standing community service and volunteer projects traditionally held in parks on that holiday.

The Interior Department defended the changes, saying the new dates emphasize “broadly celebrated American milestones” and presidential history, including the birthdays of Trump and Theodore Roosevelt, a key figure in establishing the park system.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the revised schedule and accompanying policy changes “put American families first” while ensuring international visitors “contribute their fair share.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the agency is also shifting to fully digital America the Beautiful passes, raising the annual pass price for non-U.S. residents to $250 (from $80) and imposing a $100-per-person surcharge for foreign visitors without passes at 11 of the most popular parks. Revenue will fund maintenance and improvements, officials said.

--REAL AMERICA'S VOICE

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