OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — The Trump administration has released a new National Parks calendar that overhauls which holidays qualify for free entry – removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, while adding President Donald Trump’s birthday, which also falls on Flag Day.
The National Park Service announced the changes as part of a broader effort the administration describes as “modernization.” But they immediately drew criticism from advocates who view the shift as symbolic.
MORE: National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday
Nick Collins, who runs 510 Hikers – an East Bay group working to make outdoor spaces more inclusive – said he has long noticed a lack of people of color on trails.
He founded the group to help close those gaps. Now, he sees the new policy as a step backward.
“There’s an undermining of the progress that was being made to make these national parks more accessible to Black people especially, who had been historically, it felt like they had been left out,” Collins said.
He added the decision felt “symbolic” and “personal” toward the Black community.
Since taking office, President Trump has pushed to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, saying, “We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based.”
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What’s changing under the new NPS free days
Starting Jan. 1, the 2026 free-entry days for U.S. residents will include:
- 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
- Veterans Day – Nov. 11, 2026
Dates that have been removed include National Public Lands Day, MLK Day, and Juneteenth.
New “America-first entry fee policy”
The agency is also rolling out new fee structures:
- Annual Pass: $80 for U.S. residents, $250 for nonresidents.
- Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.
MORE: ‘America-first’ pricing: National park fees to increase for foreign visitors in 2026
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended this policy shift, in an earlier statement saying:
“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first. These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”
The changes follow a July executive order directing the Interior Department to “increase revenue and improve the recreational experience” at national parks by raising fees for nonresidents.
The National Park Service and Interior Department have not yet responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
For hikers like Collins, access to nature is about connection and healing.
“Inviting Black people, especially into spaces that many hadn’t felt welcomed to visit before, helping them feel safe,” he said. “There is healing and health as a result of feeling safe in nature that 510 Hikers works to invite people to experience.”
He hopes efforts to broaden who feels welcome in the outdoors continue – even as federal policy shifts.
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