The National Park Service has dropped free admission for U.S. residents on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, replacing it with President Donald Trump's birthday. This change was made public in a recent announcement, which also included new free-admission days that have sparked controversy among civil rights leaders.
As of January 1, 2026, free park admission will be offered to Americans on Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and the anniversary of the creation of the Park Service. However, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth are no longer included.
The elimination of these two holidays has been met with opposition from civil rights leaders, who argue that it is a move to erase America's history of racism and downplay the struggles faced by Black Americans. Cornell William Brooks, a Harvard Kennedy School professor and former NAACP president, described the change as "raw racism" on social media.
The National Parks Conservation Association has also expressed concern about the impact of the new policy. Kristen Brengel, the organization's spokesperson, noted that Martin Luther King Jr. Day had become an important day for community service projects at parks, which will now be more expensive to undertake.
Democratic lawmakers have also spoken out against the change, with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto calling it "a slap in the face" to Black Americans. The National Park Service has yet to provide a reason behind the decision, but it comes as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to promote its own legacy and image.
This latest move has added fuel to concerns that the administration is erasing or downplaying America's history of racism and civil rights victories.
As of January 1, 2026, free park admission will be offered to Americans on Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt's birthday, and the anniversary of the creation of the Park Service. However, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth are no longer included.
The elimination of these two holidays has been met with opposition from civil rights leaders, who argue that it is a move to erase America's history of racism and downplay the struggles faced by Black Americans. Cornell William Brooks, a Harvard Kennedy School professor and former NAACP president, described the change as "raw racism" on social media.
The National Parks Conservation Association has also expressed concern about the impact of the new policy. Kristen Brengel, the organization's spokesperson, noted that Martin Luther King Jr. Day had become an important day for community service projects at parks, which will now be more expensive to undertake.
Democratic lawmakers have also spoken out against the change, with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto calling it "a slap in the face" to Black Americans. The National Park Service has yet to provide a reason behind the decision, but it comes as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to promote its own legacy and image.
This latest move has added fuel to concerns that the administration is erasing or downplaying America's history of racism and civil rights victories.
It's about time they stop celebrating progress and start celebrating the people who fought for it... like MLK and Juneteenth are basically erased from our culture? I get why some civil rights leaders are upset, but can't we just have a little bit of both? President's birthday is already super exclusive, what's the harm in having one more day to honor America's past struggles and triumphs? 
. And now it's Presidents Day too? Like, who cares about Trump's birthday when we've got so much more going on? 
I get that it might be a way for the administration to promote their own image, but can't they just leave some of that history alone? 
It seems like a big deal to me, but I guess it's all about perspective. I mean, President Trump's birthday is being added as a new free-admission day, which I can understand. But eliminating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth just doesn't sit right with me. Those holidays are important for remembering the struggles of Black Americans and their contributions to American history.
Can't believe they're taking away free admission for MLK Day and Juneteenth, which are such important days for the Black community. I get that Presidents' birthdays might be special to some people, but come on, it's like they're trying to erase history or something. 
I know some civil rights leaders are saying it's a move to erase America's history of racism, which is honestly a really valid point. But at the same time, I don't want to be one of those people who just hates everything Trump does without thinking about the other side... you feel? 
. It feels like we're erasing our history, you know? I mean, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth were always about celebrating freedom and equality, but now they're just gonna be about the President's birthday? 
And what really gets me is that the National Park Service is using this as an opportunity to push their own agenda and legacy. It's like, we should be preserving our history, not trying to rewrite it! 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth weren't just random days, they represented a lot of struggle and sacrifice for civil rights. By taking them away, it feels like we're losing a piece of our collective identity.
I mean, the National Parks are supposed to be for everyone, right? Not just some select groups. It's like they're saying that certain holidays don't matter anymore.
. I think it's a mistake to associate free admission with specific holidays - what about other important days that celebrate diversity and equality? 
For instance, why not include Indigenous Peoples' Day or Hispanic Heritage Month? It feels like we're trying to create a new narrative where America's history is filtered through the lens of who was born when 
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I mean, what's next? Erasing our history just because it makes some people uncomfortable? 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was always meant to be a celebration of freedom, equality, and the struggles of Black Americans... now it feels like we're erasing all that progress. 
The National Park Service used to be such an amazing resource for our country's history, but if they can't even respect some of the most important holidays in American civil rights, then I don't know what's left to protect. 
. The NPS is just trying to shake things up and attract more visitors 
. I'm not saying it's a great idea, but come on, don't make it out to be some kind of racist travesty 
. It's just politics as usual 
. The National Park Service needs to listen more carefully to the concerns of others and find a way to make everyone feel included.
... Like what even is the point of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth anymore if they're not getting free admission? It's soooo frustrating that civil rights leaders are speaking out against this because it's just another example of how our country's history is being erased 
. I mean, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth are huge deals for a lot of people, especially Black Americans who've been fightin' for equality and justice for centuries 
I'm not sayin' the Trump administration doesn't have its own legacy to promote, but can't they just leave some of that history alone? 
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