Celebrate Fee-free National Park Days in Montana: The First is February 16

If you need a nudge to get outside (as if Montanans really need one), here it is: the National Park Service is rolling out its 2026 entrance fee-free days, starting Monday, Feb. 16, in honor of Presidents Day. As you know, Montana claims two National Parks, Glacier and Yellowstone... Although one could argue that Yellowstone belongs to Wyoming. 😉

The free days mean you can walk, ski, snowshoe, or stand around in awe without paying the usual entrance fee. And if you’ve ever visited one of our parks in July, you already know why winter offers a completely different experience.

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Montanans have a long-standing love affair with the outdoors. It’s kind of baked into the culture. We don’t just “go outside,” we plan weekends around it, argue about trail conditions like they’re NFL stats, and measure seasons not by calendar dates but by what gear is in the truck.

But winter in a national park? That’s a completely different experience.

Instead of bumper-to-bumper traffic at scenic pullouts, you’ll find quiet. Instead of packed boardwalks and selfie lines, you’ll hear snow crunching under your boots.

Wildlife is often easier to spot, the landscapes look sharper under a blanket of snow, and the whole place feels less like a tourist destination and more like the wild spaces they were meant to be.

The Park Service will offer several fee-free days throughout 2026, including:

• Memorial Day
• Flag Day
• Independence Day weekend
• The NPS's birthday in August
• Constitution Day
• Veterans Day.

Just remember: entrance fees may be waived, but things like camping, reservations, or special permits can still cost extra.