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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7l4n89lr1o
The US National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days.
The move is part of President Donald Trump's "modernisation" of the park service, which, beginning in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favour American citizens over foreign visitors, following a July executive order from Trump.
In addition to removing the two holidays that celebrate civil rights leader MLK Jr and the end of slavery in the US, the agency is adding Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day.
People who are not US citizens will still have to pay fees on the fee-free dates, the NPS said.
For the 2026 calendar year, US residents will be granted free access to national parks on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday and Veteran's Day.
Previously, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth were both deemed fee-free entry days by the Biden administration.
Under the Trump administration's new rules, US residents will continue to pay $80 (£60) for an annual park service pass.
But for non-residents, the cost will rise from $80 to to $250, the Department of the Interior, which oversees the park service, announced last month. Those without a pass will now pay $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most visited parks.
"President Trump's leadership always puts American families first," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
The US National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days.
The move is part of President Donald Trump's "modernisation" of the park service, which, beginning in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favour American citizens over foreign visitors, following a July executive order from Trump.
In addition to removing the two holidays that celebrate civil rights leader MLK Jr and the end of slavery in the US, the agency is adding Flag Day, which is also Trump's birthday, as a "patriotic" fee-free day.
People who are not US citizens will still have to pay fees on the fee-free dates, the NPS said.
For the 2026 calendar year, US residents will be granted free access to national parks on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day/President Trump's birthday, Independence Day weekend, 110th Birthday of the National Park Service, Constitution Day, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday and Veteran's Day.
Previously, Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth were both deemed fee-free entry days by the Biden administration.
Under the Trump administration's new rules, US residents will continue to pay $80 (£60) for an annual park service pass.
But for non-residents, the cost will rise from $80 to to $250, the Department of the Interior, which oversees the park service, announced last month. Those without a pass will now pay $100 per person, in addition to the standard entrance fee, at 11 of the most visited parks.
"President Trump's leadership always puts American families first," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
