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January 7, 2026
Learn how recent changes to National Park Service free-admission days, including the removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth, affect access, equity, and what it means for families planning visits and outdoor experiences in 2026.
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Beginning in 2026, the National Park Service will no longer offer free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth, both federal holidays. The Department of the Interior updated its fee‑free calendar to remove these two civil rights-related holidays and replace them with what officials describe as more “patriotic” observances, including Flag Day (June 14, which also falls on President Donald Trump’s birthday), Presidents Day, Constitution Day and Veterans Day.
The decision, introduced under the Trump administration in December 2025, has sparked a national debate over access, equity, historical recognition and who gets to decide how public spaces honor American history.
Free admission days reduce financial barriers to visiting national parks. Many of the most popular parks—such as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon—charge $35 per vehicle, a cost that can be prohibitive for families living paycheck to paycheck. For households at or near the federal poverty level, that fee represents a significant portion of discretionary income.
Because national park visitors are disproportionately white, critics argue that removing MLK Day and Juneteenth worsens the “nature gap” by eliminating access on days that historically encouraged participation from Black communities and families.
MLK Day and Juneteenth commemorate pivotal moments in the fight for freedom and equality. Civil rights advocates argue that removing these days from the fee‑free calendar sends a message that civil rights history is less worthy of public recognition.
Members of the King family and leaders at the King Center have described the decision as “deeply disappointing,” emphasizing that MLK Day has long been associated with public service, reflection and community engagement—including volunteer efforts in national parks.
Supporters of the change say the revised calendar aligns free days with “foundational” and military‑focused holidays. Critics argue that replacing civil rights observances with more traditional patriotic dates reshapes how national identity is defined—and who feels included in that story.
In response to public backlash, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would restore MLK Day and Juneteenthas permanent fee‑free days at national parks. The bill would codify these holidays into law, preventing future administrations from removing them without congressional approval.
Supporters say the legislation is necessary to preserve access, equity and historical recognition, while opponents argue that fee-free days should remain flexible and under administrative control.
Write a short paragraph (four to six sentences) responding to the prompt:
“Why might national park access on historical holidays matter to communities across the country?”
Share My Lesson’s updated collection features curated lesson plans, resources and activities to help your prek-12 students explore Dr. King's commitment to the labor movement and the fight for justice and dignity.
