--- title: Conservation License Required to Use Most State Lands description: Everyone 12 or older must purchase a yearly conservation license to access most state lands. image: https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/hubfs/CVB_conservation-licenses-blog1.jpg --- [Bozeman Chamber](https://bozemanchamber.com/) [![Visit Bozeman](https://bozeman-cvb.s3.amazonaws.com/Website-2026/Branding/_large/visit-bozeman-long.svg)](https://visit-bozeman.com/) [Stay](https://visit-bozeman.com/lodging-in-bozeman) [Eat](https://visit-bozeman.com/restaurants-in-bozeman) [Play](https://visit-bozeman.com/play-in-bozeman) [Outdoors](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors) [Hiking](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/hiking) [Rodeos](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/rodeos) [Yellowstone](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/yellowstone) [Skiing + Snowboarding](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/skiing-snowboarding) [Hot Springs](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/hot-springs-near-bozeman-montana) [Mountain Biking](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/top-10-mountain-biking-trails-in-bozeman) [Rafting + Floating](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/rafting-floating) [Hunting + Fishing](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/fishing-hunting) [Plan](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan) [Itineraries + Guides](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/itineraries-guides) [Travel Blog](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog) [Event Calendar](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/events) [Plan a Meeting or Event](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/meetings-events) [Sports Facility Guide](https://visit-bozeman.com/sports-facility-guide) [Getting Around](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/getting-around) [Weddings](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/weddings) [![Visit Bozeman](https://bozeman-cvb.s3.amazonaws.com/Website-2026/Branding/_large/visit-bozeman-long.svg)](https://visit-bozeman.com/) [Stay](https://visit-bozeman.com/lodging-in-bozeman) [Eat](https://visit-bozeman.com/restaurants-in-bozeman) [Play](https://visit-bozeman.com/play-in-bozeman) Outdoors + [All Outdoors](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors) [Hiking](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/hiking) [Rodeos](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/rodeos) [Yellowstone](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/yellowstone) [Skiing + Snowboarding](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/skiing-snowboarding) [Hot Springs](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/hot-springs-near-bozeman-montana) [Mountain Biking](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/top-10-mountain-biking-trails-in-bozeman) [Rafting + Floating](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/rafting-floating) [Hunting + Fishing](https://visit-bozeman.com/outdoors/fishing-hunting) Plan + [All Planning Resources](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan) [Itineraries + Guides](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/itineraries-guides) [Travel Blog](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog) [Event Calendar](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/events) [Plan a Meeting or Event](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/meetings-events) [Getting Around](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/getting-around) [Weddings](https://visit-bozeman.com/plan/weddings) # Conservation License Required to Use Most State Lands Written by [Kali Gillette](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/author/kali-gillette) Updated on February 27, 2024 Montana is known for its outstanding recreation and many public lands. It’s why so many people choose to live here and why it has become a popular destination for those seeking to explore the mountains and rivers. We’re proud of our land and deeply respect the opportunity to enjoy them.   With that opportunity comes stewardship. Many of Montana’s fishing access sites and hiking and biking trails are well-maintained. Increased usage has led to increased maintenance costs. To offset those costs, everyone 12 or older must purchase a yearly conservation license to access most state lands. This includes all types of recreation, launching watercraft, hiking, biking, or wildlife viewing. Previously, hunters, anglers, and trappers have been the only population shouldering those costs when they purchased their licenses. The new method ensures that all users share the cost of maintenance.     ![CVB\_conservation-licenses-blog2](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CVB_conservation-licenses-blog2.jpg?width=2894&height=1929&name=CVB_conservation-licenses-blog2.jpg)     Areas that require a license include fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, and wildlife habitat protection areas. Montana State Parks do not need a conservation license. Licenses can be purchased [online](https://ols.fwp.mt.gov/), at any Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks office, or one of the 290 License Providers across the state. You must provide a photo ID and the last four digits of your social security number.   A conservation license costs $8 for residents, youth 12-17 and senior residents $4, and non-residents $10.   We thank you for your cooperation and invite you to enjoy our beautiful state!     [![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2335650/c1736277-ca54-40af-9f44-6248b8e813f4.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2335650/c1736277-ca54-40af-9f44-6248b8e813f4)   ***If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:*** - [Explore Bozeman's Unique Neighborhoods](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/explore-bozemans-unique-neighborhoods) - [Top 10 Places for Winter Photos in Bozeman](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/the-top-10-places-for-winter-photos-in-bozeman) - [5 Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/5-easy-hikes-yellowstone-national-park) [![Subscribe to the Blog](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2335650/c2544b14-8e95-448f-bddf-31b985541b75.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2335650/c2544b14-8e95-448f-bddf-31b985541b75)   Spread the word: [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/support-the-lands-you-love-conservation-license-required-to-use-most-state-lands) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/support-the-lands-you-love-conservation-license-required-to-use-most-state-lands) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/support-the-lands-you-love-conservation-license-required-to-use-most-state-lands) ## RELATED ARTICLES [![livingston-mt.jpg](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/hubfs/Campaigns/Fall%202017/livingston-mt.jpg)](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/making-a-day-of-it-livingston-mt) ### [Making A Day Of It: Livingston, MT](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/making-a-day-of-it-livingston-mt) [![Cactus Records Bozeman, MT](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/hubfs/Campaigns/Fall%202017/cactus1-1.jpg)](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/iconic-bozeman-cactus-records) ### [Cactus Records: A Local Music Icon in Bozeman](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/iconic-bozeman-cactus-records) [![66nwjReoaAueuuySgKIaag](https://static.rootsrated.com/image/upload/s--X3_t09kJ--/t_rr_large_natural/i9knzzz281vdnyfazjjf.jpg)](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/live-like-a-local-in-bozeman) ### [Live Like A Local In Bozeman](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/blog/live-like-a-local-in-bozeman) [About BZN](https://visit-bozeman.com/about-visit-bozeman) [Contact BZN](https://visit-bozeman.com/contact) [TBID Grant](https://visit-bozeman.com/tbid-grant) [Tourism Resources](https://visit-bozeman.com/tourism-resources) [Relocation Guide](https://blog.visit-bozeman.com/bozeman-relocation-guide) [Media BZN](https://visit-bozeman.com/media) [Privacy Policy](https://visit-bozeman.com/privacy-policy) [![Visit Bozeman](https://bozeman-cvb.s3.amazonaws.com/Website-2026/Branding/_large/visit-bozeman-long.svg)](https://visit-bozeman.com/) © 2026 Visit Bozeman | Site Designed & Developed By: [*PRIME*](https://primebzn.com/)