The National Park Service has announced a major change to its free admission calendar. Starting next year, visitors will enjoy free entry on President Donald Trump’s birthday, June 14, but will be required to pay on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.
Changes to Free Admission Days
For many years, admission fees were waived on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including throughout Trump’s first term. Juneteenth was recently added as a free entry day for 2024, but will no longer be included in the revised calendar.
New Dates for Free Admission
- Trump’s Birthday (June 14)
- Presidents’ Day
- Memorial Day
- Three days during July 4 weekend
- National Park Service’s 110th Birthday (August 25)
- Constitution Day (September 17)
- Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday (October 27)
Theodore Roosevelt, known as the “conservationist president,” significantly expanded the National Park System during his presidency. The updated calendar also eliminates several key free admission days, including:
- First Day of National Park Week
- Bureau of Land Management’s Birthday
- Great American Outdoors Day
- National Public Lands Day
- First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
Visitors will still benefit from free entry on Veterans Day. This adjustment reflects the Department of Interior’s new “America-first” policy which impacts international tourists, requiring them to pay standard fees plus an additional $100 at select parks starting January 1, 2026.
Impact on International Visitors
The cost for non-US residents will rise significantly. The annual pass will be priced at $250, compared to the $80 fee that US residents will continue to pay.
The recent updates to the admission policy mark a notable shift in how the National Parks will operate in the future. This change could have significant implications for both domestic and international visitors.
