STARS Act

The Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act, or STARS Act, aims to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States by providing a fee-free day at numerous federal recreational sites. Specifically, it mandates that on September 17, 2026 , visitors will not be charged entrance or standard amenity recreation fees. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate this date as entrance-fee-free for all units of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuge System that typically charge admission. Additionally, the Secretary of the Interior must waive standard amenity recreation fees for sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation . The Secretary of Agriculture is also required to waive standard amenity recreation fees for sites managed by the Forest Service on this commemorative day.