The Trump administration is reshaping the schedule of free‑entry days to national parks, adding President Donald Trump’s birthday to the list while dropping two long‑standing celebrations—Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. This move has already sparked backlash from civil‑rights leaders and Democratic lawmakers who say the change diminishes observances that honor Black Americans’ history and contributions.
While presidents routinely adjust the list, the new calendar noticeably departs from the 2025 lineup that leaned heavily on well‑established public‑lands observances and civil‑rights holidays. The 2026 schedule eliminates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the start of National Park Week, replacing them with a series of dates tied to presidential milestones and historically themed events.
Trump’s birthday, which also doubles as Flag Day, becomes a fee‑free day for the first time, along with Constitution Day, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service, and the birthday of Theodore Roosevelt. The agency has also moved certain observances to widely recognized federal holidays—Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day and the extended Independence Day weekend.
Veterans Day remains the only date carried over from the previous calendar, underscoring how dramatically the free‑day schedule is being reshaped for 2026.
FOX 5 in DC reported that civil‑rights advocates have voiced opposition to the changes. Kristen Brengel, spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, told the station that removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day is troubling, noting how community groups used it to conduct volunteer projects in the parks.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D‑Nev., spoke out on X, writing:
> “Let’s be clear here: both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free entry days last year. The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom. Our country deserves better.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment on the revised schedule.
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