US National Park Service removes free entry on MLK Day and Juneteenth

December 6, 2025

The National Park Service is eliminating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as fee-free entrance days while adding Flag Day, which coincides with President Trump's birthday, as part of what the administration calls a modernization effort. Starting in 2026, the new fee structure will significantly increase costs for international visitors, with annual passes rising from $80 to $250 for non-US residents, while American citizens maintain the same pricing.

Who is affected

International visitors to US National Parks
US citizens and residents who visit national parks
Communities and groups who observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth
The National Park Service and Department of the Interior
Federal agencies subject to DEI program restrictions

What action is being taken

The National Park Service is removing MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth from fee-free entrance days
The agency is adding Flag Day as a fee-free day for US residents
The administration is implementing a new cost structure that charges non-citizens fees even on fee-free dates
The Department of the Interior is raising annual pass costs for non-residents from $80 to $250
Non-pass holders are being charged $100 per person plus standard entrance fees at the 11 most visited parks

Why it matters

This policy change represents a significant shift in how the National Park Service commemorates civil rights history and manages access to public lands. The removal of holidays celebrating civil rights achievements while adding a day that coincides with the sitting president's birthday raises questions about the politicization of public institutions. The substantial fee increases for international visitors fundamentally changes the accessibility of America's national parks to global audiences, potentially affecting tourism revenue and the parks' role in international cultural exchange. Additionally, these changes reflect broader administration policies regarding diversity initiatives and American prioritization in government programs.

What's next

The fee changes and new free-entrance day schedule will begin in the 2026 calendar year.

Read full article from source: BBC