Brace yourselves, outdoor enthusiasts -- the Trump administration has just rolled out a controversial overhaul of fee-free days at U.S. national parks for 2026, and it’s kicking up more dust than a desert trail in a windstorm.

In a bold shift, the new schedule adds President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14 as a free-entry day while axing cherished observances like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, sparking fierce backlash from civil rights advocates and Democrat lawmakers who see it as a slap to historical recognition, as the New York Post reports.

For years, the national parks have welcomed visitors without charge on days tied to significant cultural and public lands milestones, as reflected in the 2025 calendar.

A Shift in Free Entry Priorities

That earlier lineup featured fee-free access on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, National Public Lands Day, and the kickoff to National Park Week, days that resonated with community engagement and historical reflection.

Fast forward to the 2026 plan, and those dates have been scrubbed clean from the calendar, replaced by a set of observances that pivot toward presidential and broader national themes.

Leading the pack of newcomers is Trump’s birthday, which conveniently aligns with Flag Day on June 14, marking its first appearance as a no-cost entry day -- a move some might call patriotic flair, though critics are already labeling it a vanity project.

New Dates Spark Heated Debate

Alongside this addition, the 2026 schedule introduces free entry on Constitution Day, the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service, and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, aiming for historical gravitas.

Federal holidays like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and an extended three-day Independence Day weekend also join the list, broadening the appeal to mainstream national celebrations.

Veterans Day, a holdover from the 2025 calendar, remains a fee-free day, offering at least one thread of continuity amid the sweeping changes.

Civil Rights Days Take a Hit

Yet, the decision to drop days tied to Black American history -- namely, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth -- has ignited a firestorm among those who argue it undermines the recognition of hard-fought struggles for equality.

Civil rights advocates and Democrat lawmakers have stepped up with sharp criticism, pointing out that the 2025 calendar honored these milestones as vital to the nation’s diverse fabric.

Kristen Brengel, spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, told FOX 5 in DC, “The elimination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is concerning.”

Critics Lament Lost Traditions

She further noted that it had become “a popular day of service for community groups that use it to conduct volunteer projects at the parks,” a tradition now sidelined in favor of dates that seem less tethered to grassroots involvement -- hardly a win for community spirit, one might argue.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) didn’t hold back either, posting on X, “Let’s be clear here: both MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth were free entry days last year.”

She added, “The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” a critique that stings, though one could counter that a calendar reflecting varied historical touchpoints isn’t necessarily a dismissal of any single cause -- it’s just a different lens on patriotism.