National Park Service Revises Fee-Free Days and Increases Fees for Non-Residents
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The National Park Service has updated its fee-free days for 2026, adding Flag Day and President Trump's birthday while removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. Additionally, entrance fees for non-U.S. residents will increase significantly.
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced changes to its fee-free days for 2026, introducing new dates and removing others. Notably, June 14—coinciding with Flag Day and President Donald Trump's birthday—has been added to the list of fee-free days. Conversely, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth have been removed from the schedule.
The updated fee-free days for 2026 are:
- February 16: Presidents Day
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
In addition to these changes, the NPS has introduced new fees for non-U.S. residents. Starting January 1, 2026, non-residents will be required to pay a $100 per person surcharge to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. Furthermore, the annual 'America the Beautiful' pass for non-residents will be priced at $250, compared to $80 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that these changes aim to ensure that U.S. taxpayers 'continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.'
These adjustments have sparked discussions regarding the balance between generating revenue for park maintenance and ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
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