MLK Day And Juneteenth Dropped From Park Free Days

The National Park Service announces that Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Junteenth have been eliminated from the 2026 calendar of 'Free Entrance Days'. 

Each year the National Park Service designates certain days of the year as Free Entrance Days, where there is no fee to enjoy a National park, or park service sites. Starting January 1, 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth will be removed and June 14th, Flag Day, will be added to this list of Free Entrance Days.

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In addition to the change of dates, the Department of the Interior revealed, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

Nonresidents of the united States have the opportunity to purchase a new America the Beautiful pass for $250. All other America the Beautiful passes will only be available to US citizens and permanent residents.

According to the National Park Service, the 2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks include:

• 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

There are 63 officially designated National Parks in the United States, managed by the National Park Service. Although New York State does not have a National Park, the National Park System manages several sites, such as the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

Free Entrance Days, and the sites offering these fee-free days, only waive entrance fees for parks that charge fees to begin with.