Maps & Permits

Navigating Montana's Public Lands

Montana is blessed with an extraordinary amount of public land, approximately 30 million acres of national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management lands, state lands, and wildlife refuges. Understanding the permit and reservation systems helps ensure smooth access to these treasures.

National Park Passes & Reservations

Glacier National Park: Requires a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak season (late May–mid September), 6 AM–3 PM. Reservations available on Recreation.gov. A 7-day vehicle pass costs $35, or use the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass valid at all national parks.

Yellowstone National Park: No vehicle reservation currently required, but entrance fees apply. 7-day vehicle pass is $35. The park can be accessed from Montana via the north entrance (Gardiner, year-round) or northeast entrance (Cooke City, seasonal).

Backcountry Permits

Overnight backcountry camping in Glacier and Yellowstone requires a permit. Glacier permits are available through Recreation.gov starting in mid-March for advance reservations, with walk-up permits available the day before or morning of your trip. Yellowstone backcountry permits are available in person at ranger stations, with some advance reservations accepted.

Fishing Licenses

A Montana fishing license is required for all anglers 12 and older. Non-resident licenses are available for various durations: 2-day ($25), 10-day ($56), and season ($86). Licenses can be purchased online through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks or at most sporting goods stores and outfitter shops throughout the state. Yellowstone National Park requires a separate, free park fishing permit.

Offline Maps

Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most of Montana's backcountry. Download offline maps before your trip using apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Google Maps. The Avenza Maps app allows you to download official USGS topographic maps and national park trail maps for offline use. Paper maps from visitor centers are also highly recommended as a backup.