The National Park Service (NPS) has announced significant changes to the calendar of fee-free days at national parks for the upcoming year. Notably, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the list, while President Donald Trump’s birthday has been added.
Fee-Free Days Update
Starting January 1, national parks will observe new fee-free days. The updated list includes:
- President Trump’s Birthday (June 14)
- 110th Anniversary of the NPS (August 25)
- Constitution Day (September 17)
- President Teddy Roosevelt’s Birthday (October 27)
This adjustment aims to reflect the current administration’s initiatives regarding national park accessibility and fee structures.
Fee Changes for International Visitors
Under the revised policy, non-U.S. residents will face increased entrance fees on fee-free days. International visitors will now pay an additional $100 on top of the standard fee. Furthermore, the annual pass cost for non-residents will rise to $250, while residents will continue to pay $80.
Patriotic Fee-Free Days
The Department of the Interior has termed these new fee-exempted days as “patriotic fee-free days.” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum commented that the changes are designed to ensure American taxpayers enjoy affordable access to parks while requiring international visitors to contribute more towards park maintenance and improvements.
These decisions come in the wake of an executive order issued in July that sought to adjust fees for non-American visitors and granted preferential access rules for U.S. citizens and residents. The NPS’s focus appears to prioritize U.S. taxpayers, reinforcing a commitment to accessibility for Americans while altering the fee structure for international guests.
