President Donald Trump recently announced significant changes to the National Park Service’s list of free admission days for 2026, specifically removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the calendar. In their place, June 14, which is Trump’s birthday and also Flag Day, has been designated as a new fee-free day.
The changes mean that visitors to national parks will need to pay the full entrance fees on MLK Day, which falls on January 19 in 2026, and on Juneteenth, marked on June 19. The U.S. Department of the Interior has clarified that these modifications stem from Trump’s executive powers to influence how federal holidays are observed, though he does not possess the authority to abolish any federal holiday outright, as that would require legislative action.
For those looking to visit national parks, the total number of designated fee-free days has decreased to just eight for the upcoming year. Aside from Trump’s newly added birthday, other free days include President’s Day on February 16, Memorial Day on May 25, Independence Day weekend from July 3 to 5, and several other notable dates throughout the year, including the 110th Birthday of the National Park Service on August 25 and Constitution Day on September 17.
As part of the new fee structure, beginning January 1, 2026, the annual pass for U.S. residents will be priced at $80, while non-residents will pay $250. Those without an annual pass will incur a $100 fee per person for entry to 11 of the most frequently visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fees.
The United States boasts 63 national parks, with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park serving as Tennessee’s only representative, consistently ranking as one of the most visited parks in the nation.
Overall, these changes may evoke mixed feelings among visitors and advocates for national park access. While the removal of the fee-free days may be disappointing to some, the National Park Service continues to ensure affordability for regular visitors through annual passes and designated free admission days throughout the year.