Senator Tester Blasts Proposed Hike in Entrance Fees for Glacier, Yellowstone

Senator encourages Montanans to weigh in with public comment on proposed $70 fee

U.S. Senator Jon Tester is blasting a new proposal by the National Park Service to significantly increase entrance fees to both Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Current summer entrance fees for both Yellowstone and Glacier are $30 per vehicle and $25 per motorcycle. The Park Service’s proposal would double these fees to $70 per vehicle and $50 per motorcycle during the "peak season"–the five consecutive months that a park receives the most visitors.

"Americans already own these parks and they shouldn’t have to empty their wallets to enjoy them," said Tester. "Glacier and Yellowstone should be accessible to all of us. This decision will price Montana families out of our public lands, and hurt local economies, which thrive thanks to our National Parks. I encourage all Montanans to weigh in and make their voices heard."

A 30-day public comment period is currently open and will close on November 23. Montanans wishing to offer public comment can do so HERE https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=83652

Tester added that Congress has a responsibility to fund the longstanding maintenance backlog of National Park Service sites without imposing drastic fee increases on visitors.

The Park Service is proposing to raise fees on 15 other National Parks in addition to Yellowstone and Glacier.