Glacier Park implements campground rate increase

Glacier National Park is implementing fee rate changes to most frontcountry campgrounds in 2024 and Apgar Group Sites in 2025.  


The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act is the legislation that allows the collection of expanded amenity fees, including camping fees. The law allows Glacier National Park to retain nearly 80 percent of fees collected in the park for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors and campers. Projects funded by recreation fees include trail and campground repairs and improvements, increasing accessibility, and facility restoration. By increasing fees, Glacier National Park will continue to be able to provide and improve services that directly benefit visitors, the Park claimed in a release. 

 The last major fee rate change occurred in 2007. After extensive research of local campground rates and provided services outside the park, the proposed rate increases were found to be comparable with current market rates in the surrounding areas for similar services. 

 A civic engagement period was held from Aug. 9 through Sept. 8 and comments were submitted on the proposed frontcountry camping fee rates. Of the 46 responses received, 43 percent expressed direct support for the fee rate changes in amenity fees for frontcountry campsites. Twenty-three percent opposed fee rate increases and 34 percent were neutral or did not specify whether they supported or opposed but provided suggestions or feedback.  

 The rates for campsites will increase between $3-10 depending on the type of site. Some group sites will increase by $30 while others will decrease by $20.  

 Tent reservations at Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Sprague Creek and St. Mary will rise from $23 to $30; at Avalanche they’ll go up from $20 to $30; at Bowman and Kintla from $15 to $25 and at Rising Sun and St. Mary for first-come first-serve they go up from $20 to $30.

NPS acknowledges that a fee increase can be a concern. Under the new fee rates, Glacier will continue to offer half-priced camping for Interagency Senior pass holders and Interagency Lifetime Access pass holders. 

 Visitors can start making 2024 campground reservations starting Jan. 7, 2024, on Recreation.gov.  

 For more information regarding reservable and first-come, first-served campsites, visit the park’s website.