WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is disappointed to see the recent announcement by the Interior Department that it is changing the list of dates for free entry into national parks in 2026. Two holidays have been removed from the list — Martin Luther King Jr Day (January 19) and Juneteenth (June 19) — while one holiday has been added — Flag Day (June 14), which is also President Trump’s birthday. Non-U.S. residents will also be required to pay entrance fees on fee-free days in 2026, which is a change from prior years.
The announcement comes as part of a broader set of changes to the entrance fee structures at national parks, including increasing entrance fees for non-residents at 11 of the most visited parks, and increasing fees for non-residents for annual national park passes.
In response to the announcement, members of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids issued the following statements:
“Removing free-entry days at national parks — especially on federal holidays when schools are closed — creates yet another barrier for families striving to get kids outdoors. Removing historically and culturally significant days like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list makes it harder for families to visit the outdoors and help kids do what they need to do most: explore, learn, and play. We should be opening more doors for children to experience our national parks, connect with the outdoors, and learn about America’s diverse history, not closing them,” said Julia Hurwit, campaign manager for the Outdoors Alliance for Kids.
“National parks should be places that honor our shared values and expand access to the outdoors, not restrict it. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth symbolize justice and freedom, and removing free entry to national parks on these federal holidays is a step backward. At a time when we should be expanding opportunities for everyone to connect with our shared public lands, this move sends completely the wrong message,” said Gerry James, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club’s Outdoors For All campaign.
“Fee-free days are often the most accessible entry points for families and youth to experience and connect with our public lands. Removing free access on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth–days that carry deep cultural significance for our nation and honor historically underserved communities–diminishes the progress we’ve made toward a more inclusive outdoors. It is essential to reinstate these free-entry days and advance policies that move us closer to–not further from–nature and its numerous mental and physical health benefits,” said Jazzari Taylor, Policy Advocate at Latino Outdoors.
“Our national parks provide critical opportunities for the public to experience natural spaces and foster a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Fee-free days play an important role in helping families visit national parks, especially on widely recognized federal holidays. Removing free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth reduces two meaningful opportunities for people across the country to enjoy our national parks. ASLA encourages the National Park Service to reconsider these changes and continue supporting broad public access to our shared public lands,” said Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
“The Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate free access to our national parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth is a deeply troubling step backward for public lands equity. MLK Day, in particular, falls during peak winter recreation season and has served as a critical gateway for communities to experience winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter hiking in our national parks. At Winter Wildlands Alliance, we believe public lands belong to everyone, every day, not just on days deemed ‘patriotic’ by a specific administration,” said David Page, Executive Director at Winter Wildlands Alliance.
“We feel deeply troubled by this decision. At Justice Outside, we work every day to remove the barriers that have historically excluded Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color from our nation’s outdoor spaces. Eliminating free entry on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—while adding a day that celebrates a singular administration—sends a painful message about whose belonging matters in our public lands. Access to nature is foundational to health, healing, and building the next generation of environmental leaders. We believe our public lands should welcome everyone—and this announcement moves us further from that vision,” said Kim Bailey, President and CEO, Justice Outside.
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OAK is a national strategic partnership of more than 100 businesses and nonprofits from diverse sectors, representing more than 60 million people across the U.S., with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. Learn more at outdoorsallianceforkids.org.
