National Park Service Updates Fee-Free Days, Introduces 'America-First Pricing' Policy
The National Park Service has updated its calendar of entrance fee-free days for national parks, removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth while adding President Trump's birthday. The changes will take effect starting January 1 and also include dates like the 110th anniversary of the NPS, Constitution Day, and President Teddy Roosevelt's birthday. Non-U.S. residents will still need to pay entrance fees on these dates under the new "America-first pricing" policy, with increased fees for international visitors at popular national parks.
The White House issued an executive order in July to raise fees for non-American visitors to national parks and provide preferential treatment to citizens and residents. The Department of the Interior, overseeing the NPS, referred to the fee-exempted dates as "patriotic fee-free days," emphasizing Trump's commitment to enhancing accessibility and affordability of national parks for Americans. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum highlighted the importance of ensuring fair contributions from international visitors to maintain and improve parks for future generations.
The Trump administration's efforts to reshape U.S. history also include asking national park patrons to report any signs that portray a negative image of past or present Americans. The Interior Department's announcement praised the changes as part of Trump's dedication to making national parks more accessible and efficient for the American public. The new fee structure aims to balance support from U.S. taxpayers with contributions from international visitors, reflecting a commitment to preserving national parks for all to enjoy.