How Free Entry to National Parks in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, and Europe is Shaping Tourism and Cultural Access

Published on December 6, 2025

In recent years, the concept of offering free or discounted entry to national parks and cultural heritage sites has gained popularity around the world. The United States’ National Park Service (NPS) has historically opened its parks to the public on certain holidays without the burden of entry fees, but recent changes in its 2026 schedule have sparked debate and comparison with similar initiatives in other countries. While the NPS has introduced new fee-free days in the form of President Trump’s birthday, other countries have also implemented strategies aimed at making national parks and cultural heritage more accessible to the public. This article compares the U.S. approach to free entry with similar initiatives in countries like Canada, South Africa, and European nations.

The U.S. National Park Service’s Shift in Free Entry Days

The National Park Service has long provided Americans with opportunities to visit national parks for free on several key federal holidays. These included Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, two holidays that hold significant cultural and historical importance. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in Confederate states following the Civil War, while Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the civil rights leader’s birthday and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

However, starting in 2026, President Trump’s birthday, June 14, will join the ranks of “patriotic fee-free days,” while Juneteenth and Martin Luther King Jr. Day will no longer be included. This change highlights a shift in how the United States recognizes and commemorates historical moments through national park access. The inclusion of Trump’s birthday alongside major patriotic observances like Independence Day and Labor Day has sparked considerable discussion about the NPS’s evolving focus on national identity, while the exclusion of Juneteenth and MLK Day has raised concerns about sidelining pivotal moments in the history of racial justice.

Canada’s Approach: The Canada Strong Pass

Canada has also embraced the idea of offering free entry to national parks, but with a slightly different approach. In 2025, the Canadian government introduced the Canada Strong Pass, a program that offered free access to national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas for Canadian citizens and eligible residents. This initiative was active from June 20 to September 2, 2025, and was designed to stimulate domestic tourism by removing economic barriers for Canadians who might otherwise be unable to visit the country’s natural and cultural landmarks.

The Canada Strong Pass not only provided free entry but also included discounts on accommodations, rail travel, and other travel-related amenities, helping Canadians explore the beauty of their nation in a cost-effective way. The program was intended to foster national pride and encourage citizens to reconnect with their country’s natural heritage. This temporary initiative differed from the U.S. approach, as it targeted residents during the summer months, aiming to boost local tourism rather than focusing solely on holidays with historical or national significance.

South Africa’s SANParks: National Parks Week

In South Africa, the South African National Parks (SANParks) offers free-entry days during its annual National Parks Week, which is specifically aimed at encouraging South African residents to explore their country’s natural heritage. This initiative is designed to foster a connection between local communities and the national parks, particularly those living near these protected areas.

During National Parks Week, day visitors are allowed to enter selected parks without paying the standard entrance fee. However, overnight stays and commercial tours are not included in the free entry offer, and residents must present identity documents to prove their eligibility. The aim of this program is to promote environmental awareness and inspire pride in South Africa’s rich biodiversity, while also encouraging citizens to appreciate and conserve their national parks. Unlike the U.S., which has expanded its free-entry days to include specific national holidays, South Africa’s SANParks initiative is a week-long event dedicated to fostering local engagement with the parks.

European Heritage Days: A Broader European Initiative

In Europe, a variety of countries have adopted programs similar to the U.S. NPS’s free-entry days, but with a stronger focus on cultural heritage sites. For example, European Heritage Days is a pan-European initiative that allows the public to visit historical monuments, cultural heritage sites, and selected national parks for free. This event is celebrated in multiple European countries, each with its own version of the program. In Germany, the day is known as Tag des offenen Denkmals, where people can access protected heritage sites and monuments without paying admission fees.

Similarly, in countries like France, Italy, and Spain, cultural heritage sites are often open to the public for free during specific heritage days. These initiatives aim to promote cultural awareness and tourism while making cultural and natural resources accessible to all. Like the NPS, these European programs allow the public to engage with national history, but they tend to focus more on historical landmarks than natural parks. Moreover, these events often coincide with national holidays or cultural celebrations, further emphasizing their importance in preserving and promoting national heritage.

A Global Trend Towards Accessibility and National Pride

While each country has developed its own approach to offering free entry to national parks and cultural sites, the underlying goal remains the same: to democratize access to natural and cultural heritage, foster national pride, and encourage public engagement with the country’s history and environment. The United States’ National Park Service’s decision to remove Juneteenth and MLK Day from the fee-free calendar, in favor of more “patriotic” observances, reflects a broader trend of prioritizing national identity and unity. However, this change has also raised questions about the inclusivity of these celebrations and the role of national parks in reflecting the nation’s diversity.

In Canada, South Africa, and Europe, the focus is on enhancing local engagement and access to natural and cultural heritage, which serves a slightly different purpose than the U.S. initiative. Canada’s Canada Strong Pass, for example, directly targets domestic tourism, while SANParks focuses on local residents’ access to national parks. Europe’s Heritage Days broaden the focus to include cultural landmarks, providing a more inclusive experience for visitors to historical sites.

Conclusion: Reflecting on National Parks as Spaces for National Identity

National parks and cultural heritage sites are much more than recreational spaces; they are places where a nation’s history is preserved and told. By offering free admission on designated holidays or special events, these countries are making their national heritage accessible to all, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the past. Whether it is through Juneteenth and MLK Day in the U.S., the Canada Strong Pass, or South Africa’s National Parks Week, these initiatives are designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can engage with and reflect on their country’s rich history.