Laws & Policies

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Protecting America's Treasures

While visiting the White House, would you take a piece of silverware home for a keepsake? How about tearing off a piece of the Declaration of Independence? Or spray painting your name on the Statue of Liberty?

Similar actions sometimes take place in our national parks. Picking wildflowers, taking home stones or arrowheads as keepsakes, and defacing canyon walls with graffiti are all actions that degrade the parks for other visitors. In addition, it’s against the law.

When you visit any of the sites run by the National Park Service, you are viewing America’s treasures. These parks were created because they have special meaning to all Americans. The laws that created these special places for us to own and enjoy also mandate they be protected for the enjoyment of future generations of Americans as well.

Visiting any of our national parks is similar to visiting museums or art galleries. You certainly wouldn’t think of taking an artifact or painting home from such places. Removing anything from our national parks means that other visitors will not be able to enjoy it. If each of the 275 million visitors took away a flower or a stone or anything from the parks they visit, they would leave behind empty landscapes that nobody would enjoy.

Help protect America’s national park sites by leaving everything in its place and not defacing the natural resources. Other park visitors and future generations of Americans will thank you.

 

Park Regulations

The Superintendent's Compendium is a compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions made by the superintendent, in addition to what is contained in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 7 and 34), and other applicable federal statutes and regulations.

 

Firearms

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this national park.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit our state’s website.
California
Nevada

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Discharging a firearm in Death Valley National Park for any reason is illegal.

 

Marijuana Possession & Use Prohibited

Even though California and Nevada legalized the recreational use of marijuana, the possession and use of it on federal lands is prohibited by federal law.

 

Drones

Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Quadcopters, and Model Aircraft)

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Death Valley National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

The term “unmanned aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.

These conditions have been established for visitor safety and resource protection.