Presidents Day Kicks Off Revised 2026 Park Fee-Free Schedule for U.S. Residents

Presidents Day marked the start of the National Park Service’s 2026 entrance fee‑free calendar for U.S. residents, with the agency inviting Americans to visit sites such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Washington Monument. “Experience the places that tell our nation’s story and showcase its unmatched natural beauty,” the NPS press release says, urging visitors to explore parks that “are where history comes alive.”

The NPS revised the 2026 fee‑free schedule, removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of waived‑fee dates and adding Flag Day (June 14), the July 4th weekend, and the Park Service’s 110th birthday on Aug. 25. Flag Day this year falls on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, a scheduling coincidence noted in the public reporting around the new calendar. The next fee‑free entry date called out in agency reporting is May 25 for Memorial Day.

Eligibility for the waived entrance fees changed this year: beginning in 2026, fee‑free access applies to U.S. residents. International visitors are required to pay entrance fees but may buy an annual pass in advance through the federal recreation ticketing system to join the celebrations. Park ticketing and annual passes remain available ahead of visits through the agency’s official recreation platform, and travelers are advised to secure any needed passes or timed entries before arriving.

A visual detail circulated with the new schedule shows a National Park Service ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park displaying the redesigned America the Beautiful annual pass featuring President Donald Trump alongside George Washington; reporting on the image notes that Trump is the first sitting president to be featured on the pass. That pass imagery accompanies broader messaging that, while entrance fees are waived on fee‑free days, other charges remain in force: “While entrance fees are waived on fee‑free days, other fees such as camping, reservations, and special use permits still apply,” the NPS statement makes clear.

Practical planning remains essential for travelers and groups. The NPS notes there is at least one Interior‑managed site in every state and in most metropolitan areas, and it tells visitors to “plan ahead, check park conditions, and recreate responsibly.” The agency also recommends downloading the NPS mobile app for navigation and up‑to‑date notices; the press release carrying this guidance was last updated Feb. 13, 2026. For media or more detailed policy questions, the NPS provided contact at NewsMedia@nps.gov.