National Park Service Removes MLK Day, Juneteenth; Adds Trump‘s birthday to Fee-Free Calendar
WASHINGTON – The Trump governance has altered the National Park Service’s calendar of fee-free days, removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth and adding President Trump’s birthday, June 14, which coincides with Flag day, to the list. The changes, announced by the NPS, are the latest in a series of administration actions impacting how American history is presented on federal lands.
The revised calendar,effective January 1,also includes the 110th anniversary of the NPS (August 25),Constitution Day (september 17),and President Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27).
Alongside the calendar changes, the administration is implementing an “America-first pricing” policy for national park entrance fees. Non-U.S. residents will be required to pay entrance fees on the fee-free dates, and at 11 of the most popular national parks, international visitors will face an additional $100 fee on top of standard entrance costs. The annual pass for non-residents will increase to $250, while the resident annual pass will be $80.
These changes stem from a July executive order directing increased fees for non-American visitors and prioritizing access for U.S. citizens and residents.
The department of the Interior, which oversees the NPS, described the new dates as “patriotic fee-free days,” framing the changes as fulfilling “Trump’s commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the american people.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated, ”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.”
The move follows previous administration efforts to reshape the presentation of U.S. history within national parks, including a request for park visitors to report any signage perceived as casting a negative light on historical or contemporary americans.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
