Yellowstone Backcountry Use Regulations
Terri Watson
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - BACKCOUNTRY USE REGULATIONS
The 1916 National Park Service Organic Act and the 1978 Public Law
95-250 require the National Park Service "to conserve" park resources
and the values and purposes for which the park was established, as well
as "to provide for the enjoyment" of those resources and values" in
such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the
enjoyment of future generations." Conscientious care is necessary to
preserve and protect natural and cultural resources while still
providing opportunities for public enjoyment of backcountry areas.
Your cooperation is needed to help preserve and protect the natural and
cultural resources of the park. It is your responsibility to know and
obey the following regulations while in the backcountry. Failure to
obey backcountry regulations may result in a fine or appearance before
a US. Magistrate.
A Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight
backcountry use and must be in your possession while in the
backcountry. 36 CFR 1.6
Camping outside designated sites is prohibited. 36 CFR 2.10
Open fire permitted in established fire-rings in designated
backcountry sites only. 36 CFR 2.13
Food must be suspended at least ten feet above the ground and 4 ft.
horizontally from a post or tree.
Carry out your trash (if you pack it in, pack it out). 36 CFR
2.14
Possession of a bicycle, wheeled vehicle, or cart in a wilderness area
is area is prohibited. 36 CFR 4.30
In backcountry areas, the disposal of human body waste within 100 feet
of water source, or campsite, or within sight of a trail except as
otherwise designated is prohibited. 36 CFR 2.14
Use or possession of weapons, traps or nets is prohibited. 36
CFR 2.4
Pets are prohibited in the backcountry. 36 CFR 7.13
Tossing, throwing, or rolling rocks or other items inside caves or
caverns, into valleys, canyons, or caverns down hillsides or
mountainsides, or into thermal features is prohibited. 36 CFR 2.1
Operation of motorized equipment etc. in undeveloped area is
prohibited. CFR 2.12
The feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentional disturbing
of wildlife nesting, breeding, or other activities is prohibited. 36
CFR 2.2
Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or
disturbing from its natural state any plants, rocks, animals, mineral,
cultural, or archaeological resources is prohibited. 36 CFR 2.1
A valid fishing permit is required and shall be in possession of all
persons 12 years of age or older who are fishing in the waters of the
park. 36 CFR 1.6
Designated pack animals are limited to horses, burros, mules, ponies
and llamas. 36 CFR 2.16
Only certified weed-free pellets, cubes, and grain, but no hay, may be
taken into the backcountry. 36 CFR 2.16
Picketed animals shall not be kept within 100 feet of trails,
campsites, or water sources. 36 CFR 2.16
Stock manure shall be scattered in meadows and removed from within or
near campsites. 36 CFR 2.16
The tying of stock to any living or dead feature causing injury or
damage to the feature, vegetation, or soil is prohibited. 36 CFR 2.16
Stock parties may travel off-trail except where off-trail travel is
prohibited. Pack animals are not allowed off-trail unless no other
access is available to a designated camp area. 36 CFR 2.16
Violating a closure, designation, use, or activity restriction or
condition, schedule of visiting hours, or public use limit is
prohibited. 36 CFR 1.5
Persons obstructing, impeding, disturbing, horses/pack animals is
prohibited. 36 CFR 2.16
STANDARD DISCLAIMER!
Terri Watson
terri_...@nols.edu
Lander, Wyoming