• The National Park Service will no longer offer free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.
• President Trump's birthday has been added as a fee-free entry day starting January 1, 2026.
• International visitors will face increased fees under the new “America-first pricing” policy.
• The modification has drawn criticism from civil rights leaders and lawmakers.
• The changes are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reshape national park recognitions.

The National Park Service (NPS) is set to eliminate free admission for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its 2026 fee-free calendar while adding President Trump's birthday, which coincides with Flag Day, as a new fee-free day effective January 1. This change represents a shift in how the NPS recognizes significant historical and civil rights events, aligning with policies introduced by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping the narrative surrounding U.S. history on federal lands, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.

This updated calendar includes new commemorative dates such as the 110th anniversary of the NPS on August 25, Constitution Day on September 17, and President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday on October 27. Non-U.S. residents will still be required to pay entrance fees on free admission days, with international visitors being charged an extra $100 on top of standard fees, while the annual pass for non-residents will cost $250. The annual pass for U.S. residents remains priced at $80, according to NPR and India Times.