National Park Service designates Trump’s birthday as free entry day, drops MLK Day and Juneteenth

WASHINGTON, DC: The National Park Service (NPS) announced that President Donald Trump’s birthday, June 14, will be a fee‑free day in its 2026 national park schedule.

Meanwhile, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth have been removed.

The adjustment has triggered criticism from civil rights leaders and lawmakers who argue the changes undermine holidays honoring Black Americans’ history and contributions.

National Park Service's 2026 fee‑free day list

According to reports, the 2026 calendar of free admission days at US national parks will see significant changes.

Under the new schedule, June 14, which is both Trump’s birthday and Flag Day, will be added as a fee‑free day.

In addition to June 14, other dates being included are Constitution Day (September 17), the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service (August 25), and the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt (October 27).

Traditional holidays such as Presidents' Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 31), and the holiday spanning the three‑day Independence Day weekend (July 3-5)will remain. Veterans Day (November 11) is also included. 

At the same time, several free‑day entries from the 2025 schedule are being eliminated, like MLK Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the start of National Park Week will all be removed. 

The NPS, under guidance from the US Department of the Interior under Doug Burgum, is also rolling out a broader overhaul of how visitors access national parks beginning January 1, 2026.

Among the changes, fully digital “America the Beautiful” passes, including annual, military, senior, fourth-grade, and access passes, will be available on mobile devices, though physical cards remain an option.

This aims to speed up entry lines and improve the visitor experience systemwide.

Civil Rights leaders decry decision

The changes have already drawn strong criticism. Civil‑rights advocates and some Democratic lawmakers say removing MLK Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free days undermines holidays established to honor Black American history and civil rights achievements. They argue that the decision reduces recognition for those important observances.

A spokesperson from the National Parks Conservation Association expressed concern, highlighting that MLK Day has historically been a popular day of volunteer service in national parks and that removing it may hinder community service efforts tied to civil rights remembrance.

Similarly, Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democratic senator, criticized the change.

She said, "Let’s be clear here: both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free entry days last year. 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. Our country deserves better."

In defense of the policy, the Department of the Interior said the changes ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the NPS, receive affordable access, while international visitors contribute a fairer share.

The administration views the revamped schedule as a refocus on patriotic or historically presidential‑aligned days.

Additionally, under the overhaul, annual park passes remain priced at $80 for US residents. But non‑residents will see higher costs, a jump to $250 for the annual pass, and an extra $100 per person fee at 11 of the most-visited national parks.