National Park Service Adds Trump’s birthday as Fee-Free Day, Drops MLK Day and Juneteenth
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today it will include June 14 - former President Donald Trump’s birthday – as one of its five annual fee-free days, while simultaneously removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list. The changes, effective immediately, come as the NPS prepares to implement increased entrance fees for non-U.S.citizens and permanent residents beginning in 2026.
The decision to add trump’s birthday and eliminate the civil rights-focused holidays has sparked immediate controversy, raising questions about the prioritization of access and commemoration within the national park system. Approximately 100 of the nation’s 400 national parks currently charge an entrance fee, with costs varying by location. The move coincides with a broader policy shift announced earlier this week,increasing fees for international visitors and prioritizing access for U.S.residents.
The trump administration initially directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists via a July executive order. Under the new policy, non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents will face a $100 entrance fee at 11 popular parks, and an annual pass will increase from $80 to $250 starting in 2026. U.S. residents will continue to enjoy free access on the designated fee-free days, which now include January 1, the first day of National Park Week in April, the Great American Outdoors Day in August, National Public Lands Day in September, and June 14.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated on social media that the changes ensure U.S.taxpayers “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!” The Department of the Interior estimates the surcharge on international visitors will generate over $90 million annually.
In 2018, national parks and monuments welcomed over 14 million international visitors, according to the U.S. Travel Association. More recently, Yellowstone National Park reported that nearly 15% of its 2024 visitors were from outside the country, a decrease from 30% in 2018.
