Beyond

Road’s

End

Regulations and Guidelines 

for Backcountry Travel in 

Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was 

created by Congress in 1872 to 

protect the area’s 

unique natural 

resources and 

provide for their 

enjoyment in such a 

manner as to keep 

them unimpaired for 

future generations. 

We invite you to 

partner with the National Park 

Service in achieving this mission.

In early days, when few visitors came 

to the park, the park resources 

remained relatively undisturbed. 

More than a century of increasing 

visitor use has made it necessary to 

establish regulations to minimize 

The regulations explained in this 

booklet help protect Yellowstone’s 

visitors, plants, animals, and physical 

features. Park Rangers patrol the 

backcountry maintaining trails, 

assisting travelers, and ensuring that 

regulations are followed.

impacts. Environmental damage may 

last years, several decades, or even 

longer. Our efforts to maintain the 

pristine condition of Yellowstone’s 

backcountry today are well worth 

the long-term benefits they provide.

Yellowstone National Park’s backcountry, a diverse area with 

hundreds of miles of trails, vast forests, wild rivers, remote 

mountains, abundant wildlife, and a variety of geysers and hot 

springs, can provide a unique and enjoyable experience. The 

National Park Service wants your backcountry trip to be as 

rewarding and as safe as possible. The information in this 

booklet was compiled by backcountry rangers and covers situations you are most likely to encounter while traveling in 

Yellowstone’s backcountry. Please read this booklet carefully. 

Learning and abiding by regulations will help ensure that you 

and your companions will have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Contents

Introduction 1

Park Regulations 2

Backcountry Permits 3

Fishing and Boating 4

Permits

Using Stock 4

Trailheads 4

Wildlife 5

Bear Country 6

For Your Safety 12

Leave No Trace 17

Noxious Weeds 20

1

 Protecting Yellowstone’s Backcountry
If you plan to stay overnight in 

Yellowstone’s backcountry, a 

backcountry permit is required. 

Permits are available at most ranger 

stations and/or visitor centers. Permits 

are available in person up to two days 

prior to the first day of your 

backcountry trip. Backcountry permits 

are valid only for the dates and places 

listed on your permit and are not 

required for day hikes in most areas. 

However, day-hikers must observe all 

backcountry regulations, and are 

encouraged to check trail conditions 

and safety concerns at the ranger 

station closest to the trailhead.

Designated Campsites

In an effort to protect people, bears, 

and park resources, camping is only 

allowed in designated campsites. All 

designated sites are equipped with a 

made. Campers may then exchange 

their reservation for their backcountry 

permit up to two days before the first 

day of their trip. 

A reservation has a nonrefundable 

fee, which is the same regardless of the 

number of nights or people on a single 

trip. Payment can be made by cash, 

personal or traveler’s check, money 

order, or credit card. Campers holding 

a reservation must confirm their 

reservation or convert it to a permit by 

10 a.m. on the first day of the trip or 

the reservation will be cancelled. 

Reservations may be confirmed by 

phone. 

Advance Reservations are Optional

Only a portion of the backcountry 

campsites will be reserved in advance. 

If you prefer, you may wait until you 

arrive in the park to reserve your 

backcountry campsite(s). The fee 

mentioned above applies only to 

reservations made more than 48 hours 

before the start of your trip.

bear proof box or food-storage pole 

to store or hang food and other bearattractants out of the reach of bears. 

Each backcountry campsite has 

varying restrictions on group size, 

stock use, boating access, campfires, 

and length of stay. 

During the winter season, camping in 

designated campsites is generally not 

required. Additional information 

about winter camping is available from 

visitor centers, ranger stations, or the 

Central Backcountry Office.

Advance Reservations for Campsites

Unlike permits, which may only be 

obtained in person and not more than 

48 hours before the first camping date, 

requests for backcountry campsite 

reservations may be made by mail, fax, 

or in person. Reservations cannot be 

made by telephone. Reservations are 

booked on a first-come, first-served 

basis. A confirmation notice (not a 

permit) will be emailed or mailed to 

the camper when the reservation is 

2 3

• Solid human waste must be buried at least 100 feet from a water 

source, campsite, or trail. All 

trash must be packed out. 

• Contaminating park waters with 

any materials including soap, 

waste, food, etc. that may pollute 

or alter a water source is prohibited.

• Tossing or rolling rocks or other 

objects down hillsides or into 

caves or canyons is prohibited.

• Nuts, berries, and mushrooms 

may be picked only for personal 

consumption at the gatherer’s 

own risk.

• Permits are required for fishing, 

boating, and using float tubes.

• The use of electronic equipment 

to track wildlife is prohibited.

• Animal calls, audio attractants or 

other means of attracting or disturbing wildlife are prohibited.

• Swimming, soaking, and bathing 

in water entirely of thermal origin is prohibited. Altering or 

putting objects in thermal features is also prohibited.

• All plants, animals, animal parts, 

mineral features, archeological 

sites, and cultural artifacts in the 

park are protected. Removing, 

disturbing and/or damaging 

them is prohibited.

• A permit is required for all overnight trips in the backcountry.

• Pets, weapons other than legally 

permitted firearms, traps, 

motorized and wheeled devices, 

except some wheelchairs, are 

prohibited in the backcountry. 

Bicycles are allowed only on 

paved roads and on specially 

designated routes.

• Fires are allowed only in established fire rings and must be 

attended at all times. Only dead 

and down wood may be used as 

firewood.

Yellowstone National Park is administered by federal law, described in 

detail in the Code of Federal 

Regulations, Title 36. These regulations are on file at all ranger stations 

and in the Park Superintendent’s 

office.

• All wild animals are potentially 

dangerous – do not approach or 

feed wildlife.

• Food, garbage, and all items used 

for storing, preparing or eating 

food must be properly hung 

whenever they are not being carried or used – day and night.

 Park Regulations Backcountry

 Permits
• Do not approach wildlife – all 

wild animals are potentially dangerous

• Never feed or harass wildlife – 

it’s unsafe and illegal 

• Avoid females with young – all 

species are dangerous 

Observing wildlife can be a great thrill 

for backcountry travelers. However, if 

people feed, approach, or disturb wild 

animals, they put themselves and the 

This is especially 

important if young are 

present, during breeding 

seasons, and near nesting and 

feeding areas. Although less 

intimidating, rodents and other small 

animals may carry diseases and can 

damage your tent or pack searching 

for food. Backcountry use may be 

restricted at certain times or in certain 

areas to reduce disturbance to wildlife.

animals in danger. Feeding wildlife 

may damage their health and alter 

their natural behavior exposing them 

to predators and other dangers.

Almost all conflicts between wildlife 

and people are avoidable. Animals 

that appear calm can bite, kick, 

trample, or gore 

people suddenly and 

unpredictably. For the 

safety of people and 

wildlife, stay at least 

100 yards from bears 

and wolves and 25 

yards from other large 

animals such 

as deer, 

e l k , 

bison, 

a n d 

moose. 

Fishing, boating and use of a float tube 

require permits. Fishing permits may 

be obtained at ranger stations, visitor 

centers, and general stores in the park. 

Check the park newspaper for a list of 

Packing in Yellowstone” (available at 

any ranger station or visitor center) 

and contact the Central Backcountry 

Office if you plan to use stock in the 

park. 

Trails and Trailheads

If a registration box is present at your 

trailhead, please record your itinerary. 

However, not all trailheads have 

registration boxes. 

Maintained and mapped 

trails are designated by 

orange markers on trees 

and posts, with distance 

and directional signs at 

most trail junctions. Some 

trails may be hard to follow 

because they are 

infrequently used, missing markers, 

or because the trail goes through 

recently burned areas or large 

meadows. During early summer and 

after strong winds, fallen trees can 

make hiking more difficult. If you are 

hiking on windy days, be alert for 

falling trees.

ranger stations issuing boat and float 

tube permits.

Using Stock

Due to wet trails and a slow growing 

season, overnight horse trips are not 

permitted until July 1. Day horse trips 

do not require a permit and are 

allowed in some areas prior to July 1. 

We encourage you to read “Horse 

4 5

Fishing and

Boating Permits Respect Wildlife
Yellowstone is home to black and 

grizzly bears. As visitor numbers 

increase and good bear habitat 

decreases, bears and people use the 

same areas. Travel through bear 

country with respect, courtesy, and 

caution.

Bears are not mean or vicious. Their 

behavior is influenced by many factors, 

including your reaction to them. Some 

bears are more aggressive than others 

particularly those conditioned to 

human food. 

Most Common Causes of Attacks

• Approaching or surprising a bear, 

especially at close range

• Startling a female with cubs

• Getting close to a carcass or other 

food source

• Hiking off trail or at night

• Not making sufficient noise

ed trails. There is no guarantee of 

your safety.

Don’t hike alone or at night: Plan 

your trip so you hike in a group and 

during the day. Grizzly bears are active 

primarily at dawn, dusk and at night. 

Groups of three or more hikers have 

rarely been injured by bears in 

Yellowstone.

Watch for carcasses and stay away 

from them: Report all dead animals 

found near a trail or campsite at a 

ranger station. If you smell rotten meat, 

leave the area immediately. Never 

approach or camp near a carcass. A 

bear may be out of sight, guarding its 

food. Carcasses can often be detected 

by the presence of ravens or coyotes.

Avoid carrying odorous items: Leave 

food like bacon, tuna, ham, and scented personal products, at home. Bears 

have a phenomenal sense of smell and 

can detect odors miles away. We recommend using dry, sealed foods; they 

are lighter and less aromatic.

Reduce the Risk of Close Encounters

Be alert: Watch for tracks, droppings, 

diggings, and other bear signs. Use 

binoculars to scan the areas around 

you periodically. If you see a cub, 

retreat immediately – you can be certain the mother is nearby.

Make noise and stay on the trail:

Talk or sing loudly, clap your hands, 

shake rocks in a can, or make other 

loud noises frequently, especially 

when traveling upwind, near streams, 

or in thick brush. Bells are less effective than other noise methods. 

Whistling is not recommended – it 

may sound like an animal and draw 

the bear to you. To reduce the risk of 

surprising a bear, stay on the designat6 7

Do you know your bears? 

Look for a combination of characteristics. Color and size are sometimes misleading. Identifying 

bear tracks: A line drawn under the big toe across the top of the pad runs through the top half of 

the little toe on black bear tracks & through or below the bottom half of little toes on grizzly tracks.

 Yellowstone Is

 Bear Country
Bear Pepper Sprays

If precautionary measures fail and 

you are charged by a bear, your 

reaction (as outlined in this book) 

can be used to defuse the situation 

in most cases. Bear spray is a 

good last line of defense that 

has been effective in many 

instances. It is especially 

appropriate if you are 

attacked in your tent at night. 

Whether while hiking or in your tent, 

it must be kept where it can be 

instantly available. 

Bear spray is 

adversely affected 

by wind, cold 

temperatures, and 

age, so keep these 

things in mind. If 

you use bear 

pepper spray, 

leave the area 

immediately.

Bear spray is 

designed to stop 

bears by yelling, punching, kicking, or 

otherwise defending themselves. Plan 

with others in your group what you’ll 

do if a bear attacks at night. If you are 

carrying pepper spray, keep it instantly 

accessible.

Bears and Menstruating Women

There is no evidence that grizzly or 

black bears are attracted to menstrual 

odor more than any other odor, and no 

statistical evidence that bear attacks 

have been related to menstruation. A 

basic precaution for a woman camping 

in the backcountry during her 

menstrual period is to wear tampons 

instead of external napkins. Used 

tampons should be double bagged in 

plastic, stored as trash, and carried out. 

Never bury or try to burn used 

tampons.

For more information, ask for the 

“Bears and Menstruating Women” 

handout at backcountry permitissuing stations.

an attacking bear. DO NOT apply 

bear pepper spray to people, tents, 

packs, or surrounding vegetation. 

Remember, carrying pepper spray is 

not a substitute for vigilance and good 

safety precautions.

Night Attacks While in a Tent

Although night attacks are extremely 

rare, there are documented cases in 

North America of black and grizzly 

bears preying on campers in a tent or 

sleeping bag. A bear attacking at night 

is not being 

protective – 

it is treating 

humans as 

food. Do not 

play dead. 

Fight back 

aggressively. 

Use anything 

available to 

d e f e n d 

y o u r s e l f . 

People have 

fought off 

What to do if:

You see a bear in the distance

• If the bear doesn’t see you, keep 

out of its sight and detour as far as 

possible behind and downwind of 

the bear. 

• If the bear sees you, retreat slowly 

and leave the area. If possible, 

slowly walk upwind to let your 

scent reach the bear. Regardless of 

the distance, never approach a 

bear.

You see a bear at close range

• Do not run, shout, or make sudden 

movements. You cannot outrun a 

bear! Bears run up to 40 mph – 

faster than Olympic sprinters. 

• Remain still, avoid eye contact, talk 

quietly and calmly to the bear. 

• Do not panic – your safety may 

depend on remaining calm. Avoid 

direct eye contact with the bear. If 

the bear clacks its teeth together, 

ical contact, drop to the ground. 

Keep your pack on to help protect 

your body, clasp your hands over 

the back of your neck, and lie face 

down with your legs flat. Be still 

and stay silent to convince the bear 

you are not a threat.

After the bear leaves, wait several 

minutes before moving. Listen and 

look around cautiously before you 

get up to make certain the bear is 

no longer nearby.

or “woofs,” it is warning you to 

back off. A bear may threaten by 

huffing, panting, growling, staring 

at you, or slapping its feet on the 

ground.

• Climbing a tree to avoid an attack 

might be an option, but is often 

impractical. All adult black, and 

many grizzly bears climb trees. 

Running to a tree may provoke an 

unaggressive bear to chase you. 

Think about your options. If you 

decide to climb a tree, choose one 

nearby that will get your feet at 

least 30 feet above the ground.

A bear charges you

• Stand still; do not run. Charging 

bears often veer away or stop 

abruptly at the last second (bluff 

charge). If you have bear pepper 

spray, point it at the bear and discharge it if the bear charges to 

within 20 – 30 feet.

• Play dead if the bear physically 

contacts you. If a bear makes phys8 9

Be Bear Aware.

Help keep bears wild. 

Use good bear

avoidance behavior.
A food storage pole is provided at most 

campsites, so that food and other 

attractants can be suspended. You 

need to provide your own rope (35 feet 

recommended). 

• Suspend items 10 feet above 

ground and 4 feet out from 

uprights

Certain portable bear resistant food 

containers may be used for food storage in lieu of hanging. A list of 

approved containers is available from 

park backcountry offices.

• Bear resistant food containers must 

be left on the ground underneath 

the food pole or in the cooking area

• If using a container, make sure all 

of your food and odorous items 

will fit before starting your trip

Store your food immediately upon 

entering camp and keep all food and 

trash secured anytime they're not in use

dishwater at least 100 yards from 

tent site

• Never eat or store food in your tent

• Sleep in a tent, not under the stars

• Avoid placing your tent near dead 

standing trees

• In addition to food and garbage, 

store all odorous items including 

toothpaste, deodorant and lotion

• Keep a clean camp; pack out all trash

• Strain food particles from dishwater and pack out with trash. Scatter 

Food and Bears

Proper food and garbage storage is 

important to the safety and well-being 

of both bears and humans. Leaving 

food where bears can get it is not only 

illegal, but extremely dangerous for 

both bears and people. Bears are 

always searching for food and have an 

acute sense of smell. If you leave food 

out unattended, you are inviting a 

bear to your camp. 

A bear that eats human food or 

garbage - even once - may become 

conditioned or reliant on this easy 

source of food. These bears often 

become increasingly aggressive and 

may damage property, threaten, 

injure, even kill people in their 

attempts to obtain food. If a bear 

becomes conditioned to human food 

and garbage, it will likely have to be 

destroyed to protect human safety.

• Line your pack and panniers with 

plastic bags

• Keep all food, drink, medications, 

and all odorous items out of sleeping bags, tents, and their stuff sacks

• Where possible, keep your sleeping area at least 100 yards from 

your cooking, eating, and food 

storage areas

• Store all odorous items (i.e. empty 

food containers, water bottles 

which contained flavored drinks, 

lip balm, sunscreen, lotion, makeup, toothpaste, and medications) 

the same way you store food and 

garbage. 

Hikers on day-hikes must also obey 

food storage requirements. Be aware 

that bears can be encountered 

anywhere in Yellowstone. 

Campers with stock must hang, as 

described above, livestock feed and 

panniers that contain(ed) human and 

stock food .

Food Storage Regulations

Food, garbage, and all items used for 

storing, preparing, or eating food must 

be properly stored or hung whenever 

they are not being used or directly 

attended, both day and night. Hung 

items must be a minimum of 10 feet 

above ground and 4 feet from the tree 

trunks. Poles for hanging your food 

are provided at most designated 

campsites. At a few sites where poles 

aren’t feasible, storage boxes have been 

installed for securing food and other 

odorous items. 

Certain portable bear resistant food 

canisters are allowed and when used 

may be stored on the ground by the 

food pole or cooking area. Cooling 

beverages in a creek or lake is only 

permitted if you are in close attendance.

To avoid attracting a bear to your 

camp we recommend that you:

• Store food in airtight containers or 

double ziplock bags

10 11

Campsite Safety Rules and Recommendations

Store canisters on the 

ground by the food pole
Warning Signs of Hypothermia

• Persistent shivering 

• Immobile, fumbling hands 

• Slow, slurred speech

• Stumbling or lurching 

• Memory lapses, incoherence, 

drowsiness, exhaustion 

Uncontrollable shivering is the first 

sign of hypothermia. Do not ignore it 

in yourself or others. Alter your plans, 

find shelter, and make camp while you 

still have energy.

Treatment for Hypothermia

• Get out of the wind and the rain

• Remove all wet clothing

• Bundle the person in warm clothing or a sleeping bag

If only moderate heat loss has occurred, 

warm drinks, dry clothes, and a sleeping bag can help restore body heat. A 

warming fire (if it can be built quickly) 

and warm drinks can help. Never give 

alcohol – it dilates blood vessels adding 

to loss of body heat.

human, domestic animals, and wildlife, or other contaminates. Giardiasis 

causes diarrhea, loss of appetite, and 

abdominal cramping. These symptoms appear from a few days to a few 

weeks after ingestion. We recommend 

treating your drinking water by one of 

the following methods:

• Heat the water to a rolling boil for 

at least 1 minute. 

• Use a filter that has an absolute 

pore size of at least 1 micron or 

one that has been NSF rated for 

“cyst removal.” 

• If you cannot heat the water to a 

rolling boil or use a recommended 

filter, then chemically treat the 

water by chlorination or iodination. Using chemicals may be less 

effective than boiling or filtering 

because of the variables associated 

with water temperature, pH, and 

cloudiness. 

If you suspect you’ve been infected, 

consult a doctor.

If a person’s core temperature drops 

significantly he or she may lose consciousness. If this occurs, take off the 

patient’s clothing and put them in a 

sleeping bag with another unclothed 

person or warm water bottles being 

careful not to place these against the 

patient’s skin. Warm the victim gradually – do not force hot liquids or apply 

strong heat to the skin. Do not try to 

rewarm extreme cases in the field – 

cardiac failure may result. Seek professional medical assistance immediately.

Water Treatment

Clear cold backcountry water may 

look, smell, and 

taste clean, however, this does not 

indicate that the 

water is safe for 

humans. It may 

contain Giardia, a 

microscopic protozoan carried in 

the feces of 

Weather

Warm, sunny days can abruptly turn 

into fierce stormy days. Strong, gusty 

afternoon winds are 

common in Yellowstone. 

Sudden wind, rain, and 

lightning storms may 

follow. If you are boating 

or hiking in an exposed 

area when a lightning 

storm approaches, take 

shelter: move away from 

water, ridges, shores, and 

open places, and into a 

sheltered area if possible. 

During strong winds, 

beware of falling trees.

Backpackers in Yellowstone may be 

surprised to experience winter-like 

weather during midsummer. Rain, 

wind, sleet, and snow can be deadly if 

Hypothermia (Exposure)

Hypothermia is the cooling of a 

person’s core temperature, followed 

by rapid, progressive mental and 

physical collapse. Hypothermia 

causes deaths every year, most of 

which could be prevented by taking 

proper precautions. Heat loss is 

greatly increased when a person is 

wet, especially in breezy conditions. 

Some clothing materials, including 

cotton and down, lose most or all of 

their insulating value when wet. Wool 

and synthetic fibers dry out quickly 

and are better insulators when wet.

Avoid Hypothermia

• Stay dry – put on rain gear before 

you get wet 

• Put warm clothes on before you 

start shivering

• If you get wet, stay out of the wind 

• Use a hat and gloves to conserve 

vital body heat

proper precautions are not taken. 

Always bring rain gear and wool or 

synthetic clothing for warmth. 

Summer nighttime lows are often in 

the 30s or 40s (°F). Depending on 

elevation, temperatures may even 

drop into the 20s with a light frost.

Summertime highs are 

usually in the 70s and 

80s (°F). June can be 

cool and rainy. July and 

August tend to be drier 

and afternoon 

thunderstorms are 

common. Check current 

weather reports before 

beginning your trip.

The ice cover on 

Yellowstone Lake 

typically breaks up in 

late-May. The ice on Lewis and 

Shoshone Lakes usually melts by the 

first or second week of June. These 

lakes, even in summer, are typically 40 

to 50 (°F).

12 13

Pay attention to 

the weather, – 

Yellowstone’s is 

highly unpredictable

Other Concerns

 For Your Safety
River Crossings

Few of Yellowstone’s 

rivers and streams have 

bridges and many are 

not crossable until 

July or later. Taking 

stream crossings into 

consideration is a 

significant part of 

planing an itinerary. 

Using a topographic 

map, check your 

itinerary for stream crossings. 

injury, loss of gear, and death. Always 

check at a ranger station to find out 

current conditions for a crossing 

before beginning your trip.

Before crossing:

• Seal important items, such as cam-

eras, in plastic bags and put all 

personal gear inside your pack

• Wear water shoes or sandals that 

can be securely fastened. Fording 

barefooted is discouraged. Use a 

long, sturdy stick for balance. 

• Search up and downstream to find the 

safest place to ford – you don’t have to 

cross at the trail-river junction

• Unfasten the waist and chest straps of 

your pack – you must be able to get 

out of your pack quickly if you fall 

• Don’t look at the water when cross-

ing; look ahead to the opposite bank

• If you are part of a group, hold 

hands or interlock arms while 

crossing.

Names can be deceptive; often 

waterways named as creeks are more 

difficult to cross than 

those called rivers. 

Yellowstone’s highelevation streams are 

often cold, fast-flowing, 

and dangerous, 

especially when more 

than thigh-deep. 

Summer thunderstorms 

may cause water levels 

to rise quickly. Trying to 

ford deep, swift water has resulted in 

Thermal Features 

and Geysers

Hot springs and pools in the park’s thermal 

basins contain algae, bacteria, and fungi 

found nowhere else in the world. These 

delicate organisms can be damaged, or 

even destroyed, by wading or throwing 

things into the pools. For your safety and to 

protect Yellowstone’s biodiversity:

• Off-trail travel in thermal areas is 

prohibited

• Be extremely cautious around ther-

mal areas – thin, fragile crusts cov-

ering boiling water are easily bro-

ken. People have died by falling into 

thermal features. 

• During spring and early summer, be 

alert for bears in geyser basins

• Don’t travel through thermal areas 

after dark – differentiating between 

solid ground and hot pools is difficult

• Park regulations require that all 

stock be kept out of thermal areas

• Refrain from altering or putting 

objects in thermal features

• Swimming, soaking, and bathing are 

only allowed in areas where hot 

springs flow into an existing body 

of water such as a river or lake. 

Bathing in water that is solely of 

thermal origin is prohibited

• No food or beverages may be con-

sumed in thermal areas 

Many animals winter around thermal 

areas and may die there. These winterkilled animals provide an important 

food source for bears and other scav-

engers. Be especially careful in the 

spring. Check for possible closures at a 

ranger station before exploring ther-

mal areas. Where swimming is allowed, 

swim at your own risk. Most hot 

springs in Yellowstone are extremely 

acidic or alkaline, and are home to 

many types of warm water parasites, 

bacteria and fungi. Exposure to these 

microorganisms may be hazardous to 

your health.

14 15
Minimum-impact hiking and camping 

techniques help keep Yellowstone’s 

backcountry pristine. Developed by 

the National Outdoor 

Leadership School and 

based on scientific studies 

of recreational impacts, 

Leave No Trace outdoor 

skills and ethics help 

minimize damage to the 

backcountry. The following 

guiding principles serve to minimize 

impacts by backcountry visitors.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Avoid unnecessary impact by carefully 

preparing for your trip. Thoughtful 

preparation includes knowing the 

terrain, repackaging food supplies to 

minimize waste, having proper 

equipment, knowing your group’s 

ability, and obtaining knowledge 

about the area you plan to visit.

• To wash yourself, your dishes or 

clothes, carry wash water 100 feet 

from streams or lakes and use 

small amounts of biodegradable 

soap. Strain out any food particles 

and scatter the water. Residue 

from scattered water will break 

down more quickly and be less of 

an attractant to animals and flies.

• Bury solid human waste in cat 

holes dug 6” - 8”deep and at least 

100 feet from water, camp and 

trails. Carefully remove the sod and 

duff and cover and disguise the 

hole when finished. If fires are 

allowed, you may burn the toilet 

paper in the designated fire ring. If 

fires are not allowed, pack it out 

along with other hygiene products. 

Some of the more heavily used 

campsites have pit toilets to curtail 

impact associated with those 

activities. Always use these toilets 

when available.

Camp and Travel 

on Durable Surfaces

When on the trail, walk single file in 

the middle of the trail, even when wet 

and muddy. Stay on the trail even 

when tempted to shortcut 

s w i t c h b a c k s . 

Yellowstone’s designated 

campsite system is 

intended to concentrate 

impact in a limited number 

of areas. Some of the more 

heavily used campsites 

have pit toilets to contain impacts 

associated with those activities.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Pack out all 

trash and leftover food. Never bury 

it or dump it in pit toilets. Where 

fires are permitted, you may burn 

paper or trash. Do not burn glass, 

plastic, styrofoam or aluminum foil. 

Before leaving, sift through the ashes 

and remove all unburned material.

Ticks and 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are found throughout 

Yellowstone from June through midAugust. They concentrate in wet areas 

such as marshes, bogs, and lakes. 

Although mosquitoes are pests to 

most people, they are an important 

food source for birds, fish, and bats (a 

may carry Rocky Mountain spotted 

fever or Lyme disease. However, 

reports of the transmission of these 

diseases in the Yellowstone area are 

rare.

To Avoid Tick Bites

• Wear insect repellent

• Tuck pant legs into boots and 

shirts into pants

• Check for ticks on your clothing, 

hair, and body periodically and at 

the end of the day

If you are bitten by a tick, remove the 

tick by grasping it close to the skin 

with tweezers and pulling gently. Seek 

medical attention if part of the tick 

remains in the skin. 

bat may eat 2,000 or more mosquitoes 

per night!). Mosquito season in 

Yellowstone extends from May 

through August. In general, mosquito 

populations are most intense in June. 

Although it varies a great deal from 

one location to another depending on 

s n o w m e l t , 

rainfall, elevation 

and nearby 

sources of water. 

R e p e l l a n t s , 

p a t i e n c e , 

forbearance, and 

w e a r i n g 

p r o t e c t i v e 

clothing are your 

best options for 

a v o i d i n g 

mosquito bites.

Ticks are small 

insects that feed 

on the blood of 

mammals. They are commonly found 

in grassy, bushy, low-elevation areas 

from mid-March to mid-July. Ticks 

16 17

 Leave No Trace
Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect 

the quality of their experience, 

especially if it is apparent they are 

seeking solitude.

• Be courteous. Yield to other users 

on the trail.

• When encountering stock, step to 

the downhill side of the trail and 

well out of the way.

• Let nature’s sound prevail. Avoid 

loud voices and noises especially 

around lakes where sound travels 

far.

Leave What You Find

Federal law prohibits:

• Collecting antlers

• Removing any plant, animal, or 

mineral substance

• Disturbing or removing archeological or historical items

Antlers shed by large animals are a joy 

for backcountry hikers to discover, as 

to disturb or collect anything from 

such sites. If you discover an artifact 

or historic site, please leave it as you 

find it and report it to a ranger.

well as an important source of calcium and other minerals for small animals. Give hikers who come after you 

the chance to experience the pleasure 

of discovery by leaving antlers and 

bones where you find them. 

Remember, it is illegal to remove animal parts or other natural features 

such as rocks, plants, seeds, feathers, 

and bones from national parks, 

i n c l u d i n g 

Yellowstone.

Evidence of 

p r e h i s t o r i c 

occupation in 

Ye l l o w s t o n e 

dates back 

10,000 years. 

Prehistoric and 

historic sites are 

found throughout the park. 

These cultural 

resources are 

protected by 

law – it is illegal 

Minimize Impacts from Campfires

Wood campfires cause serious 

backcountry damage, even in areas 

where fires are 

kept in fire rings. 

Campfires cause 

an accumulation 

of ash, charcoal, 

and partially 

burned garbage. 

Living trees and 

dead standing 

trees, home to 

many small 

animals and 

birds, are 

stripped and 

hacked. Campers 

searching for 

wood create 

unwanted trails around 

campsites. You can prevent 

these impacts by using 

portable stoves or by using 

fires responsibly.

backcountry travelers. However, if 

people feed, approach, or disturb wild 

animals, they put themselves and the 

animals in danger. 

• Do not approach wildlife – all 

wild animals are potentially dangerous. If your presence causes 

the animal to move away, you are 

too close.

• Never feed or harass wildlife – it’s 

illegal and dangerous. Animals 

who associate 

people with 

food can 

become dangerous and 

might eventually have to 

be removed.

• Avoid 

females with 

young and be 

respectful of 

their heightened protective instincts.

Where it is legal to build a fire, keep it 

small. In popular backcountry areas, 

natural processes do not supply 

deadwood fast enough to feed the 

high demand for campfires. 

Revegetation of fire ring areas is a 

slow process; it may take many 

decades. If you must have a fire, use 

only small sticks and branches – that 

you can break by hand. These burn 

more completely and provide a bed of 

clean hot coals for cooking. And, 

when you are 

ready to leave, 

you will not 

have partiallyburned or 

s m o l d e r i n g 

logs to 

extinguish.

Respect 

Wildlife

O b s e r v i n g 

wildlife can 

be a great 

thrill for 

18 19

When building 

fires, remember:

• Before leaving, 

fires must be 

completely 

extinguished

• Burn dead and 

down wood only

• Do not remove 

branches or 

bark from any 

standing tree, 

dead or alive

• Use portable 

stoves whenever 

possible

Edible plants, mushrooms, and berries 

may be picked for your daily consumption. Since poisonous species are present, 

make certain you know which species are 

edible. If you’re not sure, don’t eat it!
Be on the lookout 

for these common weeds

Noxious weeds pose a serious threat to 

wildlife and the preservation of biodi-

versity. Left uncontrolled, they crowd 

out native plants important to wildlife 

and soil stabilization. Particularly seri-

ous noxious weeds include:

• Spotted and Russian knapweed

• Leafy spurge

• Musk thistle

• Dalmatian toadflax

• Hound’s tongue

• St. John’s Wort

• Ox-Eye Daisy

These plants, especially knapweed, 

are fast-growing and highly competi-

tive. The plants were inadvertently 

carried into the backcountry by 

humans, horses, wildlife, wind, and 

water. They grow well in disturbed 

areas such as along trails and around 

campsites. Since there are many types 

of seed dispersers, these plants can 

appear almost anywhere.

You Can Help Us Control 

the Spread of Weeds

• Before entering the park, check all 

vehicles, clothing, and gear for 

weed parts and seeds, and remove 

them

• Transport only certified weed-free 

hay through the park – this is a 

regulation.

• Minimize soil disturbance that can 

provide a bed for weed seeds 

• Don’t injure, damage, or remove 

native vegetation 

• Don’t pick or transplant flowers 

or plant parts 

• Report locations of noxious weeds 

to park officials 

• Use only processed stock feed; hay 

is prohibited in the backcountry

In an effort to halt their 

spread, especially in the 

backcountry, the 

National Park Service is 

mapping the distribu-

tion of exotic plants in 

the park. In many 

areas, an active 

eradication pro-

gram is in prog-

ress. Pictures of the 

“Ten Most 

Wanted” exotic 

plants are posted in 

many ranger sta-

tions and visitor 

centers. Most are 

easily recogniz-

able. You can help 

control these spe-

cies. If you find 

weeds in the back-

country please report 

their locations at a 

ranger station.

20 21

Musk Thistle, Spotted Knapweed, & St. Johnswort by John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy

Leafy Spurge by Barry A. Rice/The Nature Conservancy

Ox-Eye Daisy courtesy of U. S. Forest Service

Dalmation 

Toadflax

Musk Thistle Leafy Spurge Spotted Knapweed Ox-Eye Daisy

St. Johnswort Noxious Weeds
Yellowstone Forever—formerly the 

Yellowstone Association and Yellowstone 

Park Foundation—is the official nonprofit 

partner of 

Y e l l o w s t o n e 

National Park.

We partner with 

Yellowstone 

National Park to 

create opportunities 

for all people to 

experience, 

enhance, and 

preserve Yellowstone forever.

Our educational programming, products, 

and services help people enjoy, understand, 

and appreciate the wildlife, geology, and 

cultural history of the park. The 

opportunities Yellowstone Forever provides 

for volunteerism and community relations 

develop and engage new stewards for the 

park. Through thoughtful cultivation and 

Recommended Reading:

Backcountry Trip Planner 

by National Park Service

Backcountry Bear Basics 

by Dave Smith

Bear Aware 

by Bill Schneider

Bear Attacks: Their Causes 

and Avoidance by Stephen 

Herrero

Soft Paths by National 

Outdoor Leadership School

For information on backcountry campsites and trails 

visit a backcountry office or 

contact the park's Central 

Backcountry Office at (307) 

344-2160 or Yell_

Backcountry_Office@nps.

gov. Trail guides, topographic maps, and books 

about Yellowstone are available at visitor center bookstores and from the 

Yellowstone Forever at www.

yellowstone.org. 

stewardship of people who love the park, 

Yellowstone Forever is building a broad 

network of philanthropic supporters 

dedicated to 

preserving the park.

Yellowstone 

Forever’s mission 

of engagement and 

support through 

education and 

fundraising for the 

park will ensure 

Yellowstone 

remains for generations to come.

Printed on recycled paper

Yellowstone Forever