Key Takeaways
- The U.S. National Parks have changed their free days to no longer include Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth
- The new free days include June 14, which is Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday
- Most of the free days are patriotic in nature, such as Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend
- Non-U.S. citizens and residents will still have to pay entrance fees and applicable nonresident fees on free days
- The Trump administration has announced a $100 non-resident fee at 11 popular parks and an annual pass that will cost non-residents $250 beginning in 2026
Introduction to the Changes
The U.S. National Parks have made some significant changes to their free days, which were previously announced by the Biden administration. The new list of free days, shared by the National Park Service (NPS), no longer includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. Instead, June 14, which is both Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday, has been added to the list. This change comes just weeks after the Trump administration announced that it would be raising fees for visitors who are not American citizens or permanent residents.
The New List of Free Days
The new list of free days is predominantly patriotic in nature, including Presidents’ Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day weekend (July 3-5), Constitution Day (September 17), and Veterans Day (November 11). Additionally, the 110th birthday of the National Park Service (August 25) and the birthday of President Theodore Roosevelt (October 27), considered the founder of the National Park Service, are also free days. These changes are likely to affect the visiting patterns of both U.S. citizens and international visitors.
Impact on International Visitors
The Trump administration has announced that each visitor who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident will have to pay a $100 non-resident fee at 11 popular parks. An annual pass that currently costs $80 will cost non-residents $250 beginning in 2026. This change is expected to generate more than $90 million annually, according to the Department of the Interior’s 2026 fiscal year budget proposal. The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors, highlighting the significant impact of these changes on international tourism.
Rationale Behind the Changes
The changes to the free days and the introduction of a non-resident fee are part of a broader effort to give U.S. residents "preferential treatment" over foreign visitors, as directed by President Trump in a July executive order. The order also instructed the Department of the Interior to review and revise "recreational access rules, including permitting or lottery rules" that parks might have in place. The goal of these changes is to ensure that U.S. taxpayers "continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
Potential Consequences
The introduction of a non-resident fee and the changes to the free days may have significant consequences for international tourism in the United States. Yellowstone National Park, for example, reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, down from 30% in 2018. This decline in international visitors may be exacerbated by the new fees and changes to the free days, potentially affecting local economies that rely on tourism. As the National Park Service continues to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the overall visitor experience and the long-term sustainability of the parks.
Conclusion
The changes to the U.S. National Parks’ free days and the introduction of a non-resident fee mark a significant shift in the way that international visitors are treated. While the changes are intended to give U.S. residents preferential treatment and generate revenue for the parks, they may also have unintended consequences for international tourism and local economies. As the National Park Service continues to navigate the complexities of balancing access and revenue, it is essential to consider the potential impacts of these changes on the overall visitor experience and the long-term sustainability of the parks.