There is no entrance fee for visitors arriving at a Montana state park in a vehicle with Montana license plates! No special stamps, stickers or passes--just a Montana license plate. It’s as simple as that!
How it Works
An optional $4 fee is included on the registration of light vehicles in Montana, which in turn allows admission into all state parks for private vehicles with Montana license plates. These funds are earmarked for the care and maintenance of state parks, fishing access sites, and historic Virginia City and Nevada City.
Residents Who Don't Use State Parks
Any resident who does not plan to visit a Montana state park or fishing access site during the vehicle registration year can opt out of the $4 registration fee while at the courthouse. Just complete the form available at your county treasurer’s office and the fee will be deducted from your vehicle registration.
Other Fees for State Parks and Fishing Access Sites
Additional fees are charged at state parks for camping, showers, some guided tours, special events, and rental of cabins, tipis, and yurts. Some fishing access sites also require a camping fee.
Since nonresidents do not contribute to Montana’s park system through the vehicle registration fee, they will be charged daily entrance fees unless they purchase an annual pass (see below). For those parks that charge an entrance fee, the cost is $5 per vehicle, per park. Search for a given park to find the exact fees.
Nonresidents who visit state parks regularly can purchase a State Park Annual Pass which allows an unlimited number of visits for the year at one low price.
Cost of Pass
$25 per vehicle
Two additional vehicle passes may be purchased for $20 each, if all passes are purchased at the same time.
Usage Dates
The State Park Annual Pass is valid for one license year (March 1 to the last day in February).
Annual Pass Definition
The Annual Pass covers only the daily entrance fee to state parks. It permits entry to all designated state park fee areas. It does not include fees for camping, showers, guided tours, special events, or rentals of cabins, tipis, and yurts. To be valid, the pass must be permanently affixed by the holder to the vehicle's interior left front windshield. It is valid for one license year and admits one private vehicle and the occupants to enter all Montana state parks. A pass is not required at fishing access sites and wildlife management areas.
Where to Purchase an Annual Pass
You can purchase an Annual Pass at selected license agents, FWP department offices, designated recreation fee areas, and online.
If You Sell Your Vehicle
If you sell a vehicle with a valid Annual Pass, remove the pass from the windshield and bring it in to any Fish, Wildlife & Parks office for a replacement park pass.
The Biennial Fee Rule lists all fees at state parks and fishing access sites as approved by the FWP Commission.
