**New National Parks Fee-Free Schedule Cuts MLK Day and Juneteenth**
The Trump administration has released a revised list of fee-free days for U.S. national parks in 2026, sparking controversy. As of December 6, 2025, the new calendar removes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the fee-exempt list. These days previously gave free entry to visitors at more than 400 national parks across the country.
In their place, two new dates have been added, including June 14, which is Donald Trump’s birthday. The move has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers. They argue that removing holidays linked to Black history downplays their importance in the nation’s story. Supporters of the change say the new dates focus on “patriotic” rather than “woke” holidays.
The Trump administration has often opposed what it calls “woke” ideas in government programs and services. This change to the national parks calendar is seen as part of that larger effort. The National Park Service did not explain the reason behind each date selection but said fee-free days are meant to promote public access to parks.
Celebrating MLK Day through free park access had become a tradition to honor Dr. King’s legacy of equality and service. In recent years, Juneteenth—a holiday marking the end of slavery in the U.S.—was also added to that list. Activists now worry that removing such days could lessen public awareness of their meaning.
The updated calendar still includes popular U.S. holidays like Veterans Day and National Public Lands Day. However, the selection appears to give preference to days that align closely with themes of military or presidential celebration. Opposition lawmakers say they may introduce bills requiring Congress to approve any future changes to public holiday guidelines.
So far, park officials have not shared data on how many visitors use the fee-free days versus regular paid entry. While entry is generally low cost, advocates say free access allows more families—especially from low-income communities—to enjoy nature and learn about history for free.
This policy revision is the latest move in a broader culture debate unfolding across various parts of U.S. public life.
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