National Park Service Changes Free Admission Days, Adds Trump’s Birthday

The National Park Service is updating its free admission calendar for 2026, and the changes shift which key dates offer free entry. For the first time, admission will be waived on June 14, the birthday of President Donald Trump, which also coincides with Flag Day.

At the same time, the NPS has removed long-standing fee-free observances such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. Both dates were added in previous years to honor civil rights history and the end of slavery in the United States.

The changes come as the administration has focused heavily on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in federal programs. Earlier this year, on Juneteenth, Trump publicly criticized what he called an excessive number of federal holidays impacting the nation’s economy.

The 2026 free-entry schedule will also feature Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, three days over the July Fourth weekend, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service in August, Constitution Day on September 17, and the birthday of conservation advocate Theodore Roosevelt in October. Veterans Day will remain a fee-free day.

Another significant change affects who can take advantage of these free entry dates. Under a new America-first fee policy announced by the Department of the Interior, international visitors will no longer qualify for free admission. Starting January 1, 2026, non-US residents will pay standard entry fees plus a $100 surcharge at 11 of the nation’s most visited parks. The annual pass for visitors from outside the United States will jump to $250, compared to the $80 pass that US residents will continue to pay.

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