Updated Fee-Free Days at U.S. National Parks: Excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth
The U.S. National Parks have updated their list of fee-free days, excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. The new list includes patriotic days such as Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day weekend, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, the National Park Service's 110th birthday, and President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. Non-U.S. citizens and residents will still need to pay entrance fees on these days. Approximately 100 of the 400 national parks charge entrance fees, with costs varying by park. The Trump administration recently announced a $100 non-resident fee for foreign visitors at 11 popular parks, with the fee set to increase to $250 in 2026.
The decision to exclude Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the fee-free days comes after an executive order by President Trump directing parks to raise entry fees for foreign tourists. The Department of the Interior estimated that the surcharge on international visitors would generate over $90 million annually. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that these changes ensure U.S. taxpayers have affordable access to the parks while international visitors contribute their fair share to park maintenance and improvement. In 2018, national parks and monuments welcomed more than 14 million international visitors, with Yellowstone reporting a decrease in international visitors from 30% in 2018 to nearly 15% in 2024.
The U.S. National Parks have revised their fee-free days, excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, and introducing new patriotic days for visitors to enjoy without paying entrance fees. Non-U.S. citizens and residents will still be required to pay entrance fees on these designated days, with costs varying by park. The Trump administration's decision to implement a non-resident fee for foreign visitors at popular parks aims to generate additional revenue for park maintenance and improvement.