Recently, Americans woke up to a surprising change at the nation’s National Parks.
Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth—two holidays that celebrate freedom and equality—will no longer be fee-free in 2026. Instead, the Trump administration replaced them with additional former presidents’ birthdays and Flag Day, which coincidentally is also Trump’s birthday.
MLK Day honors a leader who fought for justice, while Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States. Both holidays hold deep cultural and historical meaning. Taking away free entry on these days feels like a step backward for education and accessibility.
Previously, free days included MLK Day, Juneteenth, Veterans Day, and the first day of National Park Week. For 2026, the list is very different. It now features Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day weekend, Constitution Day, the National Park Service birthday, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, and Veterans Day. Critics argue these changes shift focus away from civil rights and toward political symbolism.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
Officials say the update fits Trump’s “America-first” approach. The Department of the Interior also introduced new digital passes, called America the Beautiful. These mobile passes are meant to make entry faster, but they now include Trump’s face alongside George Washington. Some observers see this as unnecessary politicization of public spaces.
The new fees are another concern. Americans will pay $80 annually, while foreign visitors pay $250. Nonresidents without a pass will pay $100 at 11 of the most visited parks. This change, however, makes parks less accessible, especially on holidays that honor civil rights and the struggles for equality.
Experts have voiced criticism. Mary Frances Berry, a history professor, said removing MLK Day and Juneteenth “just helps to accelerate the trend toward reducing information about our nation’s struggle toward liberty and justice for all.”
Tyrhee Moore of Soul Trak Outdoors added, “Removing free-entry days on MLK Day and Juneteenth sends a troubling message about who our national parks are for. These holidays hold profound cultural and historical significance for Black communities, and eliminating them as access points feels like a direct targeting of the very groups who already face systemic barriers to the outdoors.”
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
