Thermal Areas | Fallen Trees | Weapons | Pets | Traffic | High Altitude
Picnic Areas | Swimming | Technical Rock Climbing | Vandalism | Wildlife

Yellowstone National Park is a wilderness filled with natural wonders that can be potentially hazardous at times. There is no guarantee of your safety. Regulations are strictly enforced to protect you and Yellowstone Park's many wonders.

This page was designed to provide the basic rules at a glance. It is not comprehensive and should be used merely to obtain a simple familiarity with some of Yellowstone National Park's more important rules. Please contact the Park Service for more comprehensive rules and regulations.

Laws are enforced strictly within Yellowstone Park. General laws of the road are similar to what you would expect to find at home. On the road, Park Rangers are not unlike law enforcement officers in that they can pull you over and issue tickets. Your visit my be marred by tragedy if you violate park rules. Law enforcement rangers strictly enforce park regulations to protect you and Yellowstone National Park. Make the most of your Yellowstone vacation by paying attention and avoiding these and other problems:

– Speeding (radar enforced)
– Driving while intoxicated (open container law enforced)
– Off-road travel by vehicle or bicycle
– Improper storage of food
– Camping violations
– Pets off leash
– Littering
– Swimming in thermal pools
– Removal or possession of natural (flowers, antlers, rocks, etc) or cultural features (artifacts)
– Feeding or approaching wildlife
– Spotlighting (viewing animals with artificial light)
– Boating and fishing violations
– Failure to remove detachable side mirrors when not pulling trailers

Thermal Areas

Yellowstone National Park's thermal features, rare among the earth's wonders, are extremely fragile. Boardwalks and trails protect you and preserve delicate formations. You must stay on boardwalks and designated trails. Scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust. Pools may be near or above the boiling temperature and can cause severe, possibly even fatal, burns.

Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.

Swimming or bathing in thermal pools or streams, where water flows entirely from a thermal spring or pool, is prohibited. Where swimming is allowed, swim at your own risk. Thermal waters may contain organisms know to cause infections and/or amoebic meningitis, which can quickly be fatal. Obtain more information at any ranger station or visitor center within Yellowstone National Park.

Fallen Trees

Following the fires of 1988, thousands of dead trees, known as snags, were left standing in Yellowstone National Park. These snags may fall with very little warning. Be cautious and alert for falling snags along trails, roadways, campsites and picnic areas. Avoid areas with large numbers of dead trees.

Weapons

No firearms or weapons, including state-permitted concealed weapons, are allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, unloaded firearms may be transported in a vehicle when the weapon is cased, broken down or rendered inoperable, and kept out of sight. Ammunition must be placed in a separate compartment of the vehicle.

Pets

Pets must be leashed. They are prohibited on any trails, in the backcountry, and in thermal basins. Pets are not allowed more than 100 feet from a road or parking area. Leaving a pet unattended and/or tied to an object is prohibited. Please review our pets page for details and private kennel locations.

Traffic

Yellowstone National Park has more than 350 miles (564 km) of roads. Most are narrow, rough, and busy. Some sections are steep with sharp drop-offs. Drive cautiously and courteously. Slow moving vehicles must use pullouts to observe wildlife or scenery and to allow safe passing by other vehicles. Watch for animals on the road, especially at night.

Bicycles and motorcycles present special hazards. Drive defensively and wear seat belts. Yellowstone has a mandatory seat belt requirement for all passengers. Be especially cautious of ice and road damage. Cool temperatures may occur at any time of the year. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph (73 km per hour) unless posted otherwise.

High Altitude

Visitors with a cardiac or respiratory medical history should be aware that most park roads roads range between 5,300 and 8,860 feet in elevation. We recommend contacting a physician prior to your visit. Be aware of your physical limitations and drink plenty of fluids to forestall the dehydrating effects of Yellowstone Park's dry climate. Stop and rest frequently.

Picnic Areas

Overnight camping is not allowed in any of the park's picnic areas. Fires may be built only in fire grates available in picnic areas at Snake River, Grant Village, Bridge Bay, Cascade, Norris Meadows, Yellowstone River, Spring Creek, Nez Perce, and the east parking lot of Old Faithful. Please visit our picnicking page for more information.

Swimming

Bathing, wading, or swimming in thermal features or stream whose waters are exclusively from thermal features is prohibited, as it can permanently damage the goethermal system.

Technical Rock Climbing

Park mountains are generally not well suited to rock climbing due to loose and broken rock. Climbing is illegal in Yellowstone's Grand Canyon.

Vandalism

It is illegal to deface, damage, or remove any plants, animals, or minerals. Please help us maintain Yellowstone for future generations to enjoy.

Wildlife

Respect the wild nature of Yellowstone Park's many animals. Feeding is strictly prohibited. Do not tease, crowd, or frighten them. Startled animals may charge. See our special page on wildlife for more information.