Montana Parks Invite Your Thoughts On New Fee Proposals

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing updates to fees for lands and waters it manages, including state parks, fishing access sites, wildlife management areas and fisheries conservation areas, and is asking the public to provide input.

The proposal would apply to both public visitors and commercial users. Agency officials said the changes are needed as recreation use continues to grow and the cost of maintaining safe, accessible sites increases.

FWP said current fee rules have not been significantly updated in years and have become difficult to administer and understand.

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

The proposed updates are intended to better align fees with inflation and rising maintenance costs while simplifying permit categories and improving consistency for visitors, businesses and staff. The agency also said maintaining affordable and fair access remains a priority.

FWP is encouraging residents, recreation users and stakeholders to submit feedback as it works to finalize the new structure.

“We invite the public to provide feedback to help us develop the new structure,” Lemon said.

The agency has not yet announced a timeline for final decisions but said public input will play a key role in shaping the outcome.