National Park Service Drops Free Entry on MLK Day and Juneteenth

The U.S. National Park Service has announced changes to its free-entry policy for national parks, removing two holiday dates from the list of fee-free days. Officials say the update is part of a broader modernization effort and will take effect starting in 2026.

What changes for residents and visitors

Under the new calendar, American residents will continue to enjoy several fee-free days, while non-residents face higher costs. The 2026 plan lists specific days when U.S. residents won’t pay an entrance fee, including major national holidays and celebrations of the park system’s milestones:

• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Flag Day and the President’s Birthday
• Independence Day weekend
• The National Park Service’s 110th Birthday
• Constitution Day
• Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday
• Veterans Day

Previously, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free-entry days under the Biden administration.

Fees for non-residents

For non-residents, the cost structure changes significantly. The standard annual pass for foreign visitors will rise from $80 to $250. Those who do not hold a pass will face a $100 per-person charge on top of the normal entrance fee at 11 of the most-visited parks.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized that the measures aim to ensure American taxpayers continue to receive affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving parks for future generations.

Budget context and past actions

The Interior Department’s budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year projects that the foreign-visitor surcharges will generate over $90 million annually. The administration has previously tied holiday policies and DEI-related programs to broader governance changes, which has shaped how civil rights holidays like MLK Jr Day and Juneteenth are observed within federal agencies.

In June, officials staged a military parade in Washington, D.C. to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, a celebration that also fell on Flag Day and the President’s birthday, underscoring the alignment of national milestones with fee-free days.

INLIBER contacted the White House for a response to these changes.

Expert comment

Analysts note that shifting park funding toward user fees could affect access for some travelers, particularly international visitors, even as it aims to bolster park maintenance and modernization.

Short summary

The National Park Service is revamping its free-entry calendar for 2026, removing MLK Jr Day and Juneteenth as no-cost days and adding new cost structures for non-residents. U.S. residents will retain several fee-free days, while foreign visitors will face higher prices. The changes are framed as part of a broader modernization effort and budget considerations for park upkeep.

Key insight: The Park Service is moving toward higher fees for international visitors while preserving free entry on select U.S. holidays for residents, as part of a broader modernization plan. BBC source