Montana FWP seeks public input on proposed fee increases for state-managed lands, water

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing increased fees for FWP-managed lands and waters, including state parks, fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and fisheries conservation areas.

FWP is proposing the updates to its fee structure because the current fee rules are outdated, recreation use has increases, and the costs of maintaining sites to keep them safe and open to the public has increased, according to a press release.

“The current fee rules have not been thoroughly updated in many years and have become difficult to administer and understand,” Renee Lemon, FWP parks and outdoor recreation division administrator, said in a statement. “With increases in recreation, we see the need for an updated and more user-friendly fee structure.”

The public is invited to provide feedback on the updates which would apply to both public and commercial use

The updates adjust fees to better reflect inflation and increasing costs of maintaining and managing public recreation sites. They also simplify fee structures and permit categories, and maintain affordable and fair fees, according to the department, and were determined through adjusting for CPI inflation and looking at fee structures in surrounding states.

FWP is seeking public input on the proposed fee schedules. Comments received during the public review period will help inform the fee structure proposal and must be received by July 24, 2026.

Public comments can be submitted online through FWP’s website.

The proposed fee adjustments include the following:

State Parks:

• Resident fees will stay at $0 (paid through annual vehicle registration)
• Nonresident fees will increase from $8 to $10 for daily vehicle entrance; from $4 to $5 for daily entrance on foot or bike; from $35 to $50 for a 7-day pass; and from $50 to $70 for a an annual vehicle pass.

State Park Camping:

Other Public Use changes:

Fee increases are also proposed for state park amenities; group and facility use; camping at fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and wildlife habitat protection areas; and cave tours at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.

Reservation fees for all sites, horse fees, and firewood cutting permits are proposed to stay the same.

Commercial Use:

The updated FWP structures changes some definitions and classifications of commercial uses on FWP-managed lands and waters, including guiding services, vending services, and photography and filming. The proposed commercial structure and fee list can be viewed online.

Most guided services will have client fees increase from $5 to $8, and commercial event fees will increase from $3 per participant to $8.

Facility and equipment services at FWP-managed areas will increase to $250 a day.

Changes are also proposed to commercial services along restricted rivers across the state, standardizing rivers at 3% gross revenue, $130 minimum fee. That change includes adding a fee to the Upper Bitterroot River, changing the Beaverhead and Big Hole fee structure from a client-based formula, and adding a minimum fee to the Clark Fork through Alberton Gorge.

Additional changes to restricted rivers can be viewed online.