Key Highlights
- The Trump administration is reshaping when Americans can enter national parks for free – adding President Donald Trump's birthday as a fee-free day while eliminating Martin Luther King Jr.
- Day and Juneteenth in a move already drawing criticism from civil rights leaders.
- Although presidents often revise the list, the changes are sparking criticism from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who say the removals undercut holidays that honor Black Americans’ history and contributions. The shift in free-entry days marks a notable break from the 2025 calendar, which leaned heavily on long-established public lands celebrations and civil rights observances.
- This year’s lineup included Martin Luther King Jr.
- Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the kickoff to National Park Week – all of which disappear under the 2026 schedule.
