National Parks Shake Up Free Entry Days, Sparking Debate

The U. S. National Parks have recently updated their list of fee-free days, causing quite a stir. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth are no longer on the list, but President Trump's birthday, which also happens to be Flag Day, has been added. This change comes right after the Trump administration announced higher fees for visitors who aren't U. S. citizens or permanent residents. Most of the free days now focus on patriotic themes, like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. There are also free days for the National Park Service's birthday and Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, who is known as the founder of the National Park Service. It's important to note that even on these free days, non-U. S. citizens or residents still have to pay entrance fees and any extra non-resident fees. Around 100 out of the 400 national parks charge an entrance fee, and these fees can be different for each park. The Trump administration has also introduced a new $100 non-resident fee for 11 popular parks. Starting in 2026, an annual pass that currently costs $80 will cost non-residents $250. This change comes from a July executive order by Trump, which aimed to increase entry fees for foreign tourists and give U. S. residents better access to parks. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that these changes make sure U. S. taxpayers can still enjoy affordable access to the parks, while international visitors help maintain and improve them for the future. In 2018, national parks and monuments saw over 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018.