Changes to US National Park Service Fee-Free Entrance Days in 2026
The US National Park Service (NPS) has made changes to its list of fee-free entrance days as part of President Donald Trump's park service "modernization" efforts. Starting in 2026, the NPS will no longer offer free entry on Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth, two holidays celebrating civil rights and the end of slavery. Instead, Flag Day, which coincides with President Trump's birthday, will be added as a "patriotic" fee-free day. Non-US citizens will still be required to pay fees on these designated fee-free days.
For the 2026 calendar year, US residents will have free access to national parks on specific days, including President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and Veteran's Day. The annual park service pass for US residents will remain at $80, while non-residents will be charged $250 for the pass. Additionally, those without the pass will pay $100 per person, on top of the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most visited parks.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated that these policies prioritize American families and ensure that US taxpayers who support the National Park System can continue to enjoy affordable access. The Department of the Interior estimates that surcharges for foreign visitors will generate over $90 million annually. This move follows previous actions by the Trump administration, such as banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in federal agencies, which impacted celebrations of holidays like MLK Jr Day and Juneteenth.
In a show of patriotism, the Trump administration held a military parade in Washington DC on Flag Day and Trump's birthday to commemorate the US Army's 250th anniversary. The BBC has reached out to the White House for comment on these changes to the NPS fee-free entrance days.