There will be a shakeup at some national parks next year.

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The Trump administration is shaking up America’s national park calendar — and critics are already buzzing over which days made the cut and which ones didn’t.

The Department of the Interior announced what it called the “most significant modernization of national park access in decades,” unveiling a new pricing system, new digital passes, and a brand-new list of free entry days starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Two days are notably missing from the list: Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.

A new addition: Flag Day — which the Department lists alongside President Trump’s birthday, June 14.

According to the department, the new lineup reflects “resident-only patriotic fee-free days,” including:

  • President’s Day (Feb. 16, 2026);
  • Memorial Day (May 25, 2026);
  • Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026);
  • Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026);
  • 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (Aug. 25, 2026);
  • Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026);
  • Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026);
  • Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11, 2026).

Federal officials framed the overhaul as part of what they described as an “America-first” approach to park access. 

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in the announcement. He added that the new fee structure ensures that “US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access.”

Under the new framework, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for US residents and $250 for nonresidents. Nonresidents without an annual pass will also pay $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee, officials said.

Digital passes — including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, and Access — will now be available instantly through Recreation.gov. The Department said updated training and validation tools will “ensure faster entry and a smoother visitor experience” across all parks.

The Department also revealed new patriotic pass artwork and announced that motorcycle riders will now be allowed to enter with two bikes per pass.

But it’s the fee-free calendar drawing the attention — not just for what’s on it, but for what’s not. The new dates do not include Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It does not include Juneteenth. 

And it does not explain the decision to exclude them.

It does, however, include the President’s birthday.