Laws & Policies

Superintendent's Compendium
The Superintendent's Compendium lists the special designations, closures, public use limits, permit requirements, and other restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority of the Superintendent.

Regulations
A summary of what helps us protect park resources while providing you a safe and enjoyable experience.

Transporting carcasses through Yellowstone
Animals hunted outside Yellowstone may be transported through the park under the certain conditions.

Firearms

Federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in Yellowstone. Hunting and the discharge of firearms remain prohibited in Yellowstone.

It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering the park. Yellowstone encompasses parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and each state has different regulations: follow the links provided here to learn more.

Federal law prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park (such as visitor centers and government offices): those places are marked with signs at all public entrances.

Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Bear spray and other safety precautions are the proven methods for preventing bear and other wildlife interactions.

Read more about firearms in national parks.

Guidance for Protecting Yellowstone

• Yellowstone's Purpose, Significance, and Mission Statements
• Foundation Document (11 MB PDF)
• Yellowstone National Park Protection Act (1872; Organic Act/Enabling Legislation)
• Environmental Laws
• Cultural Resource Laws

The laws creating Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service are both called “The Organic Act” because each created an entity. (Also called “enabling legislation.”) However, the name most often refers to the law that created the National Park Service. To avoid confusion, we refer to the laws by their names as listed in the US Code Table of Popular Names: The Yellowstone National Park Protection Act and The National Park Service Organic Act.

National Park Service Organic Act

Passed in 1916, this law created the National Park Service and established its mission:

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

National Park Service Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout the United States and the world.