(AURN News) — Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the National Park Service’s list of fee-free celebratory days for 2026, while former President Donald Trump’s birthday has been added. Critics are calling the shift another anti-DEI move by the Trump administration, which announced what it describes as “resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026.”
MLK Day and Juneteenth, both included in the 2025 calendar, were eliminated for 2026. Trump’s birthday — June 14 — will now be honored as a fee-free day.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
“These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations,” he added.
The administration also announced steep fee increases for non-U.S. residents.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the annual pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per-person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks — in addition to standard entrance fees — according to the Department of the Interior.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
