Trump Drops MLK Day And Juneteenth From Fee Free Parks

National Parks rearranged their fee-free days for 2026, and there is a new list. (And by different, I mean head scratching.) Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth are no longer included as holidays where you can visit a National Park for FREE. Each day has been linked to a key chapter in our country’s past, and families have frequently used them as reasons to visit parks without spending a cent.

But the Department of the Interior says they have to go. And in their place? Trump’s birthday is now a fee free day. Flag Day is already on June 14th, but now it serves as the same free pass into National Parks, and just so happens to be Trump’s birthday.

Reactions From Both Sides

People on the right say the shift is nothing to cry about. They argue that every administration has the opportunity to update park policies. They say that fee-free days come and go, and that the holiday lineup is nothing sacred. People on the left view the measure as petty. They also argue that taking away MLK Day and Juneteenth would send the wrong message about who gets recognized and when the country should be celebrating public access.

And here I am in the middle. I’m not trying to get the comments section cranking. But even by centrist standards, this is kind of wacky. With 2 of our nation's largest National Parks in our backyard. We could always use a fee-free day for any holiday. I propose Earth Day and Arbor Day.

A Head Tilt At Best

I love our parks. I am glad that fee free days encourage folks to get outside. Let’s just hope that future updates will focus less on personalities and more toward the public. Access shouldn’t feel political.