Big Change to National Parks Sparks Backlash
Each year the National Parks Service reserves a handful of days for free entry to everyone, functioning as a giveback to the public whose tax dollars help preserve some of the nation's most beautiful lands. But there's a big change coming to the program next year that's causing backlash, with some saying the shift is politically motivated. The government will also raise entry fees for non-residents beginning January 1.
Major Shift in Free Entry Days Calendar
The 2026 calendar will mark a major shift from 2025, eliminating several holidays that have been free entry days for the past several years. This includes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January and Juneteenth in June. Both holidays celebrate the civil rights of Black Americans. Other eliminated days include National Public Lands Day, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, and the first day of National Park Week.
In their place will be holidays like Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and (perhaps most controversially) President Trump's birthday, a date that lines up with Flag Day in the United States.
The move has sparked backlash from some politicians. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter), calling the move politically motivated.
"The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom," she wrote, referring to MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth. "Our country deserves better."
Let’s be clear here: both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free entry days last year.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) December 6, 2025
The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom.
Our country deserves better. https://t.co/9O2uqq9unl
The recent changes also call for dramatically raising the entry fee for non-residents to U.S. national parks. The price of an annual pass will rise to $250 for non-residents next year, while residents of the U.S. will pay $80. "Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee," the press release noted.
The parks that will see this increased fee beginning next year are as follows:
- Acadia
- Bryce Canyon
- Everglades
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Grand Teton
- Rocky Mountain
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Zion
The National Parks Service will continue to offer separate passes for senior citizens, active-duty military, qualified volunteers, U.S. 4th graders, people with disabilities, and more. Information on each pass can be found here.
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a press release. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
Every National Parks Free Entry Day for 2026
There will be ten free entry days to U.S. National Parks in 2026. They are as follows:
- President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
- Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
- Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026)
- Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
- 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
- Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
- Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
- Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)