National Parks Service revamps free admission days to incorporate Trump's birthday

Visitors to U.S. national parks will be able to enter without paying on President Donald Trumps birthday next year, while free access will no longer be offered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. This update follows a major revision of the National Parks Services free admission schedule.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day had traditionally been a no-fee day, including throughout Trumps first term. Juneteenth was first added as a free entry day in 2024. The adjustment coincides with Trump emphasizing the reduction of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives during his administration. Earlier this year, on Juneteenth, Trump criticized the number of public holidays in the U.S., claiming they were causing substantial economic losses.

In addition to Trumps birthday on June 14, which coincides with Flag Day, the 2026 free admission calendar will now include Presidents Day, Memorial Day, three days over the July 4 weekend, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service on August 25, Constitution Day on September 17, and Theodore Roosevelts birthday on October 27. Roosevelt, recognized as the conservationist president, expanded the National Park System and added numerous sites during his presidency.

The revised schedule removes free entry for the first day of National Park Week, the Bureau of Land Managements birthday, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and the first Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week. Veterans Day will continue to be a no-fee day.

The free admission applies exclusively to U.S. residents. International visitors will be required to pay the regular entrance fee, plus an additional $100 per person at 11 of the most popular national parks starting January 1, 2026. Annual passes for non-U.S. residents will cost $250, compared with $80 for U.S. residents.

Author: Logan Reeves