The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its list of free admission days.
The move is part of President Donald Trump's “modernization” of the parks service, which, starting in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favor American citizens over foreign visitors, following Trump's July executive order.
In addition to canceling two holidays honoring civil rights leader MLK Jr. and the end of slavery in the United States, the agency is adding Flag Day, which also happens to be Trump's birthday, as a “patriotic” free day.
People who are not U.S. citizens will still have to pay fees on free entry days, NPS says.
In the 2026 calendar year, U.S. residents will have free access to national parks on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and Veterans Day.
The Biden administration previously designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth as free entry days.
Under new Trump administration rules, US residents will continue to pay $80 (£60) for an annual park maintenance pass.
The Interior Department, which oversees the parks, announced last month that an annual pass would cost nonresidents $250, and those without a pass would pay $100 per person in addition to the standard admission fee for the 11 most visited parks.
“President Trump’s leadership has always put American families first,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
“This policy will ensure that U.S. taxpayers who already support the National Park System continue to enjoy affordable access while international visitors do their fair share to maintain and improve our parks for future generations,” Burgum's statement continued.
In May, the department calculated in its budget proposal in fiscal year 2026, additional fees for international visitors will total more than $90 million annually.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted Juneteenth and MLK Jr. Day.
On his first day in office this year, Trump issued an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs by federal agencies, prompting many agencies to ban celebrations of holidays considered to be related to DEI, including MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth. However, these two dates remain national holidays.
In June, the Trump administration held a military parade in Washington, D.C., to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which also fell on Flag Day and Trump's birthday.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
