WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Park Service (NPS) has sparked a national debate with the release of its new calendar of fee-free days for 2026, which removes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth while adding President Donald Trump’s birthday, June 14, also known as Flag Day.
The announcement, which takes effect on January 1, is part of what the Department of the Interior is calling “resident-only patriotic fee-free days.” The updated list includes Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day weekend, the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25), Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and Veterans Day. However, the omission of MLK Day and Juneteenth—two holidays that commemorate civil rights and the end of slavery—has drawn swift and sharp criticism from lawmakers and civil rights organizations.
Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada stated that the President “didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom.” Tyrhee Moore, executive director of Soul Trak Outdoors, a nonprofit connecting urban communities of color to the outdoors, expressed deep concern, noting that removing the holidays “sends a troubling message about who our national parks are for.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum defended the policy, stating, “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.” The new policy also institutes higher annual pass fees for non-U.S. residents and adds a $100 per-person fee on top of standard entrance for nonresidents at 11 of the most-visited parks.
Historically, MLK Day has been a popular day for community service projects within national parks, an activity that critics say will now be more expensive for volunteer groups. The new calendar is the latest example of the Trump administration focusing on promoting the president’s name and legacy while downplaying America’s civil rights history.
Sources and Links
- Associated Press: National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday
- Department of the Interior: Department of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access
- SFGATE: National parks change prioritizes Trump birthday over days honoring Black people
- WABE: National Park Service removes Juneteenth, MLK Day as fee-free days, adds Trump’s birthday
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