In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has overhauled the list of fee-free entry days for the United States National Parks for the coming year. The revised calendar, set to take effect from January 1, sees the removal of two days commemorating pivotal moments in African American history and the addition of President Donald Trump's birthday among other dates.
Revised Calendar Sparks Controversy
The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed the changes, which are part of a broader effort by the administration to reshape how American history is presented on federal lands. Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth, the day marking the end of slavery in the US, have been struck off the list of days when entry fees are waived. In their place, the administration has added several new commemorative dates.
These new fee-free days include President Donald Trump's birthday on June 14, which coincides with Flag Day. Other additions are the 110th anniversary of the NPS on August 25, Constitution Day on September 17, and the birthday of former President Teddy Roosevelt on October 27. The Interior Department, which oversees the NPS, has branded the new list as "patriotic fee-free days."
New 'America-First' Pricing for International Visitors
Accompanying the calendar change is a new "America-first pricing" policy that introduces a two-tier fee structure based on residency. On these designated fee-free days, only US citizens and residents will benefit from waived entrance charges. Non-US residents will still be required to pay standard entrance fees.
Furthermore, the policy implements a substantial fee hike for international visitors at 11 of the most popular national parks. Foreign tourists will now face an additional $100 charge on top of the standard entrance fee. The annual pass for non-residents will see a sharp increase to $250, while the cost for US residents will remain unchanged at $80.
This move follows a July executive order from President Trump directing federal agencies to raise fees for foreign visitors and to ensure "preferential treatment" for American citizens in recreational access rules.
Administration's Rationale and Broader Context
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the policies in a statement. He argued that they ensure "US taxpayers, who already support the national park system, continue to enjoy affordable access," while requiring international visitors to "contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations."
The department praised the changes as reflecting "Trump's commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people."
This update to the park fee calendar is not an isolated action. It aligns with earlier initiatives by the administration, which encouraged visitors to report park signage they believed presented American history or figures in a negative light. Critics view these combined efforts as part of a pattern to reframe national narratives on public lands.
The removal of days honoring civil rights history, coupled with new fees targeting foreign tourists, marks a definitive turn in the management and symbolic presentation of America's cherished natural landmarks. The changes are poised to impact both domestic perceptions and international travel to US national parks in the year ahead.
