2025 MT vs. Idaho Non-Resident Costs: Hidden Fees in Glacier Border Waters
As the spring 2025 outdoor recreation season approaches, non-resident visitors planning trips to Montana and Idaho face a complex web of fees, especially around the Glacier National Park region and shared border waters. This comprehensive comparison reveals the true costs beyond the headline prices, helping you budget accurately for your western adventure.
Non-Resident Fishing License Comparison for 2025
Non-resident anglers face significantly different fee structures between Montana and Idaho, with several hidden costs that don’t appear in basic price listings.
Montana Fishing Licenses for Non-Residents
Montana’s 2025 fishing license structure for non-residents includes several options based on duration:
- Season fishing license: $100.00 plus a conservation license fee of $10.00, totaling $110.00
- 5-consecutive day fishing license: $56.00 plus conservation license fee of $10.00, totaling $66.00
- 1-day fishing license: $14.00 plus conservation license fee of $10.00, totaling $24.00
However, the hidden cost many visitors miss is Montana’s mandatory Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass, required for all non-resident vessels:
- Motorized vessels: $30 per vessel (valid through December 31, 2025)
- Non-motorized vessels: $10 per vessel (valid through December 31, 2025)
Idaho Fishing Licenses for Non-Residents
Idaho’s 2025 non-resident fishing license options include:
- Season fishing license: $108.00
- 3-day fishing license: $44.75 (includes general fishing license)
- 1-day fishing license: $22.75 (with option to add consecutive days at $7.00 each)
Idaho also offers special rates for non-resident juniors who want their own fish limit at $23.75.
| License Type | Montana (Non-Resident) | Idaho (Non-Resident) |
|---|---|---|
| Season | $110.00 | $108.00 |
| 5-day | $66.00 | N/A |
| 3-day | N/A | $44.75 |
| 1-day | $24.00 | $22.75 |
| Vessel Fee | $10-$30 | Not required |
Glacier National Park Access: The Complete Cost Picture
For 2025, Glacier National Park has implemented a multi-layered fee structure that includes both standard entrance fees and new reservation requirements that function as additional costs in terms of both money and planning complexity.
Standard Entrance Fees (Valid for 7 Days)
- Private Vehicle: $35 during summer season (May 1-October 31); $25 during winter season (November 1-April 30)
- Motorcycle: $30 during summer; $20 during winter
- Individual Entry (on foot/bicycle): $20 during summer; $15 during winter
Hidden Costs: Vehicle Reservations and Shuttle Requirements
Beyond standard entrance fees, visitors in 2025 must navigate additional requirements:
- Going-to-the-Sun Road (West): Requires timed entry vehicle reservation between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. from June 13-September 28, 2025
- North Fork Area (including Bowman and Kintla Lakes): Requires one-day timed entry reservation per vehicle from June 13-September 28, 2025 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Many Glacier Area: No public vehicle access during summer 2025 (July 1-September 21) due to construction; visitors must purchase shuttle tickets through Recreation.gov
These reservation requirements represent a significant hidden cost in both money and planning complexity, as they must be secured either 120 days in advance (first block released February 12, 2025) or the day before entry (starting June 12, 2025).
The Rising Trend of Non-Resident Fee Increases
Both Montana and Idaho are part of a broader western states trend of substantially increasing non-resident fees while maintaining or minimally adjusting resident costs.
Montana’s Approach to Non-Resident Fees
Montana has implemented several policies that affect non-residents:
- Vessel AIS Prevention Pass: Required for all non-resident watercraft, adding $10-$30 to recreation costs
- Campground Reservation Limits: Montana passed legislation (HB 440) limiting the number of reserved campsites available to non-residents in state parks
Idaho’s Non-Resident Fee Structure Changes
Idaho has implemented several significant changes affecting non-residents:
- Doubled Camping Fees: Non-residents now pay twice the fee of resident campers at state parks
- Dynamic Pricing Model: Idaho State Parks has implemented variable pricing that typically results in higher costs for peak-season visitors
- Reduced Stay Duration Impact: According to Craig Quintana, Senior Public Information Officer for Idaho State Parks, “We’re seeing some decline in non-resident camp stays; people who once would stay five nights are now down to three”
Hunting License Comparison: The Widening Gap
The most dramatic non-resident fee increases for 2025 are in hunting licenses, with western states implementing substantial hikes.
Montana Hunting Costs for Non-Residents
Montana maintains one of the largest resident/non-resident price disparities in the country:
- Non-resident general elk tags cost nearly 28 times more than resident tags
- “It’s that MT residents pay $20 for an elk tag and $16 for a deer tag compared to NR being in for near $1300 for a general elk tag”
Idaho Hunting Costs for Non-Residents
Idaho has implemented a 10% general increase in non-resident license fees, with larger increases for big game tags and related permits:
- Non-resident hunting license: $264.00
- 3-year hunting license: $788.50
- Combination hunting/fishing license: $320.50
Regional Trend of Non-Resident Fee Increases
Utah exemplifies the regional trend with its 2025 hunting fee changes:
- 100% increase in non-resident hunting fees taking effect July 2025
- Non-resident elk tags will cost up to $3,710
- Wyoming considered a 400% increase in hunting license fees earlier in 2025
Border Waters: Special Considerations and Hidden Costs
The border waters between Montana and Idaho present unique challenges and costs for non-resident visitors in 2025.
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Requirements
Montana has implemented strict requirements for watercraft crossing between states:
- Mandatory Inspection: All watercraft entering Montana must be inspected before launching, including residents returning to Montana
- Decontamination Requirement: Boats with ballasts or bladders crossing the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin must obtain decontamination before launching
- Inspection Station Stops: All watercraft are required to stop at all open watercraft inspection stations, with fines up to $500 for failure to comply
Reciprocity Limitations
Despite sharing numerous border waters, Montana and Idaho have limited reciprocity agreements, meaning visitors often need licenses from both states when recreating in border areas—a significant hidden cost for those planning to fish or boat across state lines.
Planning Your 2025 Trip: Strategies to Manage Costs
Given the complex fee structures and reservation requirements, visitors planning trips to Montana and Idaho in 2025 should consider several strategies to manage costs effectively.
Timing Your Visit
- Visit outside peak hours: No vehicle reservations are needed for Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road or North Fork before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
- Consider shoulder seasons: Both entrance fees and crowding are reduced during May/early June and late September/October
Pass Options to Consider
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass: At $80, this provides access to all national parks for a year and may be more economical for those visiting multiple parks
- Senior Pass: Available for U.S. citizens over 62 at $20/year or $80/lifetime
Alternative Access Points
- Two Medicine and St. Mary: These areas of Glacier National Park do not require vehicle reservations in 2025, only standard entrance passes
- Consider Idaho State Parks: Despite the higher non-resident fees, some Idaho state parks near the Montana border may offer better availability than the heavily-restricted Glacier region
Conclusion: The True Cost Comparison
When all fees and requirements are considered, the 2025 non-resident experience in Montana and Idaho reveals a complex picture:
- Montana advantages: Slightly more fishing license options, no dynamic pricing for state parks
- Idaho advantages: No vessel prevention pass required, more predictable access without timed entry reservations
- Hidden costs in both states: Reservation requirements, inspection mandates, and rapidly increasing non-resident fees represent significant planning and financial considerations
For visitors planning multi-state trips, the combined costs of licenses, passes, and reservations can add hundreds of dollars to vacation budgets—a reality that requires careful planning for the 2025 season.
As western states continue to manage growing visitor numbers through fee structures that increasingly favor residents, non-resident travelers should budget not just for the advertised costs, but for the complete range of fees and requirements that affect the true cost of recreation in these spectacular landscapes.
