The US Department of the Interior has announced a controversial shake-up of the days on which American citizens can visit national parks for free, removing two dates commemorating civil rights and adding the birthday of former President Donald Trump.
Patriotic Fee-Free Days Redefined
In a move described as establishing "resident-only patriotic fee-free days" for 2025, the department has published its new schedule. The most notable change is the removal of Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth, the latter being a federal holiday established in 2021 to mark the end of slavery in the United States.
In their place, the department has added June 14th, which coincides with both Flag Day and Donald Trump's birthday. This date joins the Fourth of July weekend and the birthday of former President Theodore Roosevelt as days offering free entry for US residents. The anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act and National Public Lands Day have also been cut from the list.
"America-First" Pricing Policy Introduced
Accompanying the calendar change is a new tiered pricing structure branded as "America-first entry fee policies." US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated, "President Trump's leadership always puts American families first. These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share."
Under this policy, the cost disparity will be significant. The annual pass will cost $80 for US residents but $250 for non-residents. Furthermore, at 11 of the most visited parks, international visitors without an annual pass will face an additional per-person fee of $100 on top of the standard entrance charge.
A Pattern of Recognition
The decision to honour the former president with a free entry day follows other recent instances where Mr. Trump's name has been elevated. Notably, the United States Institute of Peace in Washington DC has been renamed after him, with the State Department hailing him as "the greatest dealmaker in our nation's history."
This pattern extends beyond this instance; Mr. Trump has previously sought, unsuccessfully, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and has had other initiatives, including a children's savings programme, bear his name. The reprioritisation of these national park fee-free days has sparked immediate debate, viewed by critics as a politicisation of public lands and by supporters as a refocusing on what the administration terms "patriotic" heritage.
