Gallego Backs Legislation to Codify Fee-Free Days of Public Service on Federal Lands

Last Week, Donald Trump Removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from List of Fee-Free Days, Included His Birthday Instead
WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)backs theEncouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Actto codify six days where visitors to National Parks and other federal lands can enter free-of-charge. This legislation would direct the Secretary of the Interior to officially designate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, the first day of National Park Week, Juneteenth, Great American Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day as fee-free entry days.
“Cutting two national holidays, when many families are already off of work and school, from the list of free entry days will prevent millions of working families from getting outside and enjoying the beauty and recreation our national parks offer,”said Senator Gallego.“I’m proud to support this bill to restore these important holidays and make sure the focus stays on the parks, not the president’s pride.”
Since the National Park System and other land management agencies began collecting entry and recreation fees, the Department of the Interior has offered fee-free days to promote America’s public lands and encourage visitors to volunteer in the National Parks, especially on select federal holidays where many Americans already have the day off. Last week, the Trump Administration cut Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday and Juneteenth, two holidays honoring Black history, from its list offree entrance daysnext year and replaced them with his birthday.
This legislation would restore these two holidays to the list of free entrance days and make a list of public service days permanently fee-free. Additional free entry days would be possible at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior.
The dates are as follows:
Read the billHERE.
12/11/25