The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is set to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its list of days offering fee-free entrance.
This decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s “modernization” initiative for the park service. Starting in 2026, the NPS will also adjust its cost structure to favor American citizens over international visitors, following an executive order issued in July.
In addition to eliminating the two holidays commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the end of slavery in the U.S., the agency is adding Flag Day, which coincides with President Trump’s birthday, as a “patriotic” fee-free day.
The NPS has stated that individuals who are not U.S. citizens will still be required to pay fees on these previously designated fee-free dates.
For the 2026 calendar year, U.S. residents will be granted complimentary access to national parks on President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday, Independence Day weekend, the 110th Anniversary of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and Veteran’s Day.
Previously, the Biden administration had designated both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as fee-free entry days.
Under the Trump administration’s revised regulations, U.S. residents will continue to pay $80 for an annual park service pass.
However, for non-residents, the cost will increase from $80 to $250, according to an announcement made last month by the Department of the Interior, which oversees the park service. Furthermore, those without a pass will now be required to pay $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most frequently visited parks.
“President Trump’s leadership consistently prioritizes American families,” stated Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
“These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already contribute to the National Park System, continue to benefit from affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share towards the maintenance and improvement of our parks for future generations,” Burgum’s statement added.
In its budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, the department estimated in May that surcharges for foreign visitors would generate more than $90 million annually.
This is not the first instance of the Trump administration targeting Juneteenth and MLK Jr. Day.
On his first day in office this year, President Trump issued an executive order prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from federal agencies, prompting many agencies to restrict celebrations of holidays perceived as DEI-related, including MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth. Nevertheless, both dates remain national holidays.
In June, the Trump administration organized a military parade in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which also happened to coincide with both Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday.
The BBC has reached out to the White House for comment.