On January 15, 2026, President Donald Trump announced significant changes regarding the observance of two federal holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. The National Park Service has removed both holidays from its list of fee-free admission days, requiring visitors to pay the full entry fee at national parks on those dates.
However, highlights of the announcement included that Trump’s own birthday, June 14, which also coincides with Flag Day, has been added as a fee-free day for national parks. This marks a notable shift in the calendar of free admission days, which the National Park Service maintains for locations that normally charge an entrance fee. With these adjustments, only eight days in 2026 will offer free entry to national parks.
To clarify, Martin Luther King Jr. Day remains a federal holiday, observed on the third Monday of January, which falls on January 19 in 2026. This means that while there will be no mail service on that day and banks will be closed, the holiday’s designation remains intact and is crucial in honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. King.
The federal holidays in 2026 are as follows:
– January 1: New Year’s Day
– January 19: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
– February 16: Washington’s birthday
– May 25: Memorial Day
– June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
– July 3: Independence Day
– September 7: Labor Day
– October 12: Columbus Day
– November 11: Veterans Day
– November 26: Thanksgiving Day
– December 25: Christmas Day
The alterations sparked various responses, particularly in South Carolina, where the impact of the changes was under discussion. Travelers planning visits to national parks during Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth will need to prepare for the cost associated with entry, given these recent adjustments.
Despite the changes, the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day continues to hold significant importance, enabling reflection on the struggles for civil rights in the United States which Dr. King championed. This year, as visitors honor his legacy, they will also note the unique circumstances surrounding the federal holiday and the new fee structure for park access.