Great Falls Proposes Free Downtown Parking for First Two Hours

New plan aims to boost downtown business by making parking more accessible for shoppers.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:55pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a downtown street, with blurred streetlights, storefronts, and pedestrians creating a hazy, atmospheric scene in warm tones of orange, yellow, and blue.The proposed free parking plan aims to draw more customers to downtown Great Falls businesses by making access more convenient.Great Falls Today

The city of Great Falls is considering a new downtown parking proposal that would offer free parking for the first two hours in city garages. The goal is to make it easier for customers to access downtown businesses without having to worry about paying for parking all day.

Why it matters

Downtown Great Falls has struggled with the issue of people parking all day and leaving their vehicles, making it difficult for customers to find spots. This new compromise plan is an attempt to strike a balance between providing free parking for short visits while still having a paid structure to encourage turnover.

The details

The proposed plan would allow for the first two hours of parking in downtown garages to be free. After that, drivers would have to pay. The city hopes this will incentivize people to park for shorter periods of time, freeing up spots for other customers throughout the day.

  • The Great Falls City Commission will discuss the parking proposal at their meeting on April 21, 2026.
  • If approved, the new parking plan could be implemented shortly after the commission meeting.

The players

Great Falls City Commission

The governing body of the city of Great Falls, Montana that will be considering the downtown parking proposal.

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What’s next

If the parking proposal is approved by the city commission, the new free two-hour parking policy in downtown garages could be implemented in the weeks following the April 21 meeting.

The takeaway

This parking plan represents a compromise between the needs of downtown businesses and the desires of drivers. By offering free short-term parking, the city hopes to strike a balance that makes it easier for customers to access shops and restaurants without the hassle of paid parking all day.