Glacier seeks comments on proposed fee increases

The public is invited to comment on Glacier National Park’s proposal to increase entrance fees for the first time in nine years.

The proposal would raise the summer vehicle seven-day entrance fee from $25 to $30 and the winter fee from $15 to $20. The cost of an annual park pass would increase from $35 to $60, according to a news release from Glacier Park.

The individual hiker/biker summer seven-day entrance fee would go from $12 to $15 while the winter fee would remain at $10. The seven-day entrance fee for a motorcycle would increase from $12 per person to $25 per motorcycle in the summer and from $10 per person to $15 per motorcycle in the winter. 

Summer fees are charged from May 1 through Oct . 31 and winter fees are charged Nov. 1 through April 30. 

If approved, higher entrance fees at Glacier National Park would take effect in May 2015. The last time park entrance fees at Glacier National Park were increased was in 2006.  Prior to that, the summer vehicle fee was $20 and the annual park pass was $30. 

Glacier also proposes to implement a motorized boat launch fee and increase the camping fee at Many Glacier Campground.

The boat fee — $10 for a seven-day permit or $40 for an annual permit — would support managing boat-launch facilities in the park. The fee would be for all motorized boats that access park waters.

Revenue would help with boater education, monitoring, and improvements to boat launch facilities. This fee also would start in May 2015. Boat inspections for aquatic invasive species would still be required.

The camping fee at the Many Glacier Campground would rise from $20 to $23 and utilize the federal reservation system for approximately half of the campsites. The remaining sites would be first-come, first-served. 

This fee change would be consistent with the other reservation campgrounds in the park at Fish Creek and St. Mary. If approved, this fee and the reservation system for Many Glacier would begin in summer 2016. 

Another fee proposal would involve group campsites. The proposed fee is $65 per group reservation site or $60 for first-come, first-served group sites. Current fees are $53 per site for the first nine individuals and $5 for each additional person for a reserved site or $50 for a first-come, first-served group site. 

Group camping sites are at St. Mary, Apgar, Many Glacier and Two Medicine. Some are available by reservation. If approved, the group-camping fees would increase in May 2015. 

The proposed fee changes could generate an additional $500,000 annually for Glacier National Park, depending on the number and type of entrance passes and camping permits sold. 

The money would be used for projects that enhance visitor services and facilities, including interpretive programs at campgrounds, the backcountry campsite reservation program, repair and restoration of trails, restoration of wildlife habitat, improvement and replacement of restroom facilities, preservation and maintenance of roads, and shuttle bus operation and maintenance. 

Glacier retains 80 percent of revenue collected from entrance and campground fees. The remaining 20 percent is distributed throughout the National Park System. Basic park operations are funded by direct appropriations from Congress. 

Public feedback on the proposed fee changes should be submitted to the park by Dec. 19. 

Comments can be emailed by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GlacierNationalParkFeeIncrease or written comments may be mailed to Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Fee Proposal, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936.

For more information, contact the park at 406-888-7800.