National Park Rules: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Why etiquette matters

Visiting national parks and designated wilderness areas in the United States is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. These places protect fragile ecosystems, cultural sites, and public safety while serving millions of visitors each year. Poor behavior — off-trail travel, feeding wildlife, leaving trash, or ignoring closures — degrades landscapes, endangers animals and people, and increases management costs. Good etiquette preserves natural and cultural values, improves experiences for others, and reduces the need for restrictions.

Core principles to follow

Follow Leave No Trace: the widely recognized standard for responsible outdoor behavior. Its seven guidelines include planning and preparation, using durable terrain for travel and camping, disposing of waste correctly, leaving natural features undisturbed, reducing campfire impacts, respecting wildlife, and showing courtesy to fellow visitors. Put these into practice at trailheads, campsites, and day-use locations.
Obey posted rules and ranger instructions: regulations, closures, and permit systems are established to protect both visitors and natural resources. Rangers uphold these rules and offer crucial direction, and adhering to them reflects responsible use.
Plan for crowded conditions and limited services: numerous parks experience significant visitor numbers, so come equipped, anticipate shuttle operations, and obtain required permits or timed-entry passes ahead of time.

Before you head out — getting ready and organized

Check official information: review the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or state park webpages for alerts, closures, permit rules, fire restrictions, and trail conditions.
Permits and reservations: some activities (backcountry camping, commercial photography, river trips, popular trailheads) require permits. Many high-use parks use timed-entry or limited permits during peak season—plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Pack appropriately: bring water, layers, maps, a first-aid kit, and a means to carry out trash. For backcountry travel, include navigation and emergency communication gear and the supplies to follow Leave No Trace.
Know seasonal hazards: flash floods in slot canyons, avalanche risk in alpine terrain, extreme heat in deserts, and wildfire smoke can affect safety and resource availability.

On the trail — behavior that minimizes impact

Stay on designated trails and durable surfaces: widening social trails fragments habitat and damages vegetation and soils. Avoid shortcutting switchbacks.
Trail courtesy: yield to uphill hikers; hikers yield to horses and pack stock; cyclists yield to hikers. Keep right, pass on the left, and announce when passing (“on your left”) to reduce surprises.
Keep group sizes reasonable: large parties cause noise and trail wear; many wilderness areas set formal group-size limits to protect solitude and resources.
Limit and plan stops: avoid blocking narrow trails and heavily used viewpoints; step off durable surface to let others pass when safe.

Guidelines for respectful wildlife behavior and safety

Do not approach or feed wildlife: offering food disrupts natural behaviors, heightens risks of encounters with people, and may endanger the animals. Those that become dependent on human food can ultimately be euthanized to ensure public safety.
Maintain safe distances: according to National Park Service recommendations, visitors should remain at least 25 yards (23 meters) from most species and a minimum of 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves. Rely on binoculars or telephoto lenses for detailed observation.
Store food properly: make use of bear-resistant lockers or approved canisters where mandates exist; place food and scented belongings in vehicles only when permitted and avoid leaving them unattended.
Respect seasonal closures: temporary restrictions often protect nesting birds, calving ungulates, and denning predators; keeping clear of these zones is essential for their well-being.

Camping and campfire etiquette

Use established campsites: in developed campgrounds choose designated sites; in wilderness, camp on durable surfaces, at least 200 feet from water, and follow group-size and spacing rules.
Minimize campfire impacts: use existing fire rings if fires are allowed; use small, dead-and-down wood; obey fire bans. Consider a stove for cooking when conditions are risky.
Respect quiet hours and neighbors: many campgrounds enforce quiet hours (often around 10 p.m.–6 a.m.). Keep music low, voices down, and lights shielded.
Leave sites cleaner than you found them: pack out all trash and food scraps; scatter unused firewood only where permitted and appropriate to the ecosystem.

Human waste and sanitation

Pack it out when required: in many heavily traveled trails and remote wilderness areas, visitors may be obligated to carry human waste bags or remove solid waste themselves.
Proper cathole technique: where permitted, create a 6–8 inch-deep cathole at least 200 feet from waterways, paths, and campsites; once done, cover it thoroughly and blend it with the surroundings. Use biodegradable toilet paper or carry it out if mandated by local regulations.
Greywater: disperse dishwater widely away from campsites and any water sources; filter out food scraps and take them with you.

Honoring cultural and archaeological locations

Do not touch or remove artifacts: petroglyphs, pottery, ruins, and other cultural resources are non-renewable and protected by law (including the Archaeological Resources Protection Act). Climbing on ruins or taking a stone degrades heritage for everyone.
Honor tribal protocols and sacred places: some sites within or adjacent to parks are sacred to Indigenous communities and may have special rules or requests for visitors—respect signage and guidance from land managers.

Vehicle, parking, and shuttle etiquette

Use designated pullouts: parking on road shoulders or obstructing traffic creates hazards and harms surrounding vegetation.
Follow shuttle and parking rules: numerous parks rely on shuttle networks (Zion, Grand Canyon, Glacier) to ease crowding, so take advantage of them when they operate and comply with all guidance for getting on and off the shuttles.
Don’t leave children or pets unattended in vehicles: interior temperatures can escalate to deadly levels in a short time, even when the weather feels moderate.

Noise, photography, and drone rules

Keep noise low: natural quiet is a resource—avoid loud music, engines, and shouting. Remember others may be seeking solitude.
Photography etiquette: avoid blocking trails or viewpoints for long periods; be courteous to subjects and other visitors when composing shots. Commercial photography typically requires a permit.
Drones and unmanned aircraft: launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited in National Park Service units and many other protected areas without special authorization; this is to protect wildlife, visitors, and airspace safety.

Etiquette for pets, pack animals, and specialized uses

Check pet policies: many national parks limit pets to designated roads and developed zones, while some permit them on a few short, clearly marked trails. Pets should always remain leashed and firmly supervised.
Treat horses and mules with respect: allow ample space for stock animals, refrain from abrupt movements or loud sounds, and follow proper trail etiquette for yielding and maintaining distance. Steer clear of crowding behind stock and step aside when animals navigate narrow sections.

Protection, emergency responses, and conscientious conduct

Be realistic about abilities: many rescues occur when visitors attempt routes unprepared. Know terrain and choose activities that match your experience and fitness.
Carry communication and tell someone: share your plans and expected return time; carry a map, compass, and if possible, a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator when traveling off-grid.
Minimize putting rescuers at risk: reckless choices not only endanger you but also rescue personnel and volunteers. Respect signs and do not attempt restricted or hazardous climbs and river crossings.

Supporting parks, staff, and local communities

Pay fees and purchase responsibly: entrance, camping, and special-use fees fund maintenance and visitor services. Buying from park bookstores and local businesses helps conservation and local economies.
Follow volunteer and interpretation programs: attend ranger programs, ask questions, and consider volunteering or donating to park foundations to aid stewardship.
Be a courteous ambassador: model respectful behavior and gently educate others when safe—most visitors want a positive experience but may be unaware of specific rules.

Examples and case notes

Zion National Park: experienced overcrowding at popular trails; the park expanded shuttle and permit systems to reduce impacts and improve safety. Result: reduced roadside parking and better protection of riparian zones.
Arches National Park: implemented a timed-entry reservation system during peak months to limit daily visitors and protect fragile desert soils and cryptobiotic crusts that take decades to recover.
Bear management in Yosemite and Rockies: parks enforce strict food storage rules; failure to secure food leads to wildlife becoming dangerous and sometimes lethal outcomes for the animals.
Cultural sites such as Bears Ears: collaborative management and respect for Indigenous perspectives highlight the need to follow site-specific guidelines and avoid disturbance of sacred areas.