Trump administration changes ‘fee-free’ days for national parks

By Darrell Ehrlick

The West’s tourism economy is centered on the outdoors — and nowhere is that more obvious than its national parks and monuments.

But beginning in 2026, the days in which visitors are allowed into them for free is changing, according to a press release from the U.S. National Park Service.

On Wednesday, it was also announced that a public lands group had sued the Trump administration for removing a photograph of Montana’s Glacier National Park on an annual pass as it was swapped for a collage portrait of George Washington and Donald J. Trump.

The Trump administration pushed back saying that the Glacier Park photograph would be used on national park passes for non-U.S. citizens, while the more common resident passes would contain Washington and Trump.

The Department of the Interior eliminated almost all the free-pass days listed for 2025, only keeping one of the eight designated days, Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Instead, the Department of the Interior said that the new round of days will be “resident-only patriotic fee-free days.”

The newest line-up of fee-free days include Trump’s birthday, June 14, which is also Flag Day. It also includes former President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday on Oct. 27.

Another change will be an increased fee system for out-of-country tourists. The fee-free days will not apply to out-of-country visitors.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explained the changes in a press release:

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” Burgum said. “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.”

Source: Open Newswire @ Trump administration changes ‘fee-free’ days for national parks • Idaho Capital Sun