10 Unusual and Highly Specific National Park Regulations

Given the hundreds of millions of annual visitors to U.S. National Parks, it’s essential to have rules in place to maintain safety and cleanliness. These parks are home to diverse wildlife and natural landscapes that require protection, and the regulations also aim to prevent visitors from harming themselves. While many rules are expected, such as respecting wildlife and adhering to Leave No Trace principles, there are also some lesser-known, peculiar regulations. 

1. Births Are Prohibited in Saline Valley Hot Springs // Death Valley National Park

Attempting to give birth in the Saline Valley Hot Springs is strictly prohibited. Additional rules at this Death Valley location include staying out of the pools if you’re ill, requiring waterproof diapers for non-potty-trained children, and banning any human waste in the springs. Pets must also stay at least 50 feet away from the pools. However, the explicit ban on childbirth stands out as the most unusual regulation.

2. Pets Are Prohibited on Rafting Adventures // Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park dedicates an entire section of its website to guidelines for bringing pets. This is understandable, given the park’s rugged landscape, fast-moving waters, and unpredictable wildlife, which pose risks to both humans and their pets. Animals can also act unpredictably; for instance, they might startle at the sight of a runner or mule, potentially causing accidents, or they could disturb the park’s native wildlife.

A particularly specific regulation prohibits cats, dogs, and other domestic animals from accompanying visitors on rafting excursions along the Colorado River. In fact, pets are not permitted below the canyon rim unless they are service animals. This rule is likely beneficial, as drowning remains the leading cause of fatalities in national parks.

3. Fecal Matter Must Be Buried at Least 3 Inches Deep // Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park, a stunning retreat filled with waterfalls, is located just 75 miles from Washington, D.C. Its scenic allure draws visitors throughout the year, many of whom opt for camping. Consequently, federal regulations govern camping activities in the park, including duration limits and designated camping areas. The sanitation guidelines prohibit carrying “food or beverages in disposable glass containers.” Additionally, urinating or defecating within 10 yards of a stream or trail is banned, and all waste must be buried in a hole covered by a minimum of 3 inches of soil.

4. Disturbing Animals During Breeding is Prohibited // All National Parks

Harassing animals during breeding is not only impolite—it’s against the law. The federal regulation explicitly bans “feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife during nesting, breeding, or other activities.” While the primary goal is to prevent disruption of wildlife and their habitats, the mention of teasing is particularly striking.

It’s always safest to observe animals from a distance. In 2018, a man was taken into custody after provoking a bison at Yellowstone National Park by taunting and charging at it, attempting to instigate a confrontation. Such actions endanger both the animals and other park visitors.

5. Harassing Golfers or Tennis Players is Prohibited // Washington, D.C. National Parks

Playing golf or tennis requires intense concentration. To enjoy these sports in a D.C. National Park, you must obtain a permit and pay the necessary fee. Once approved, you’re protected from interference: It’s illegal for anyone to trespass, intimidate, harass, or disrupt your game.

Beyond permits for sports, a special authorization is also required to operate a model-powered aircraft in any D.C. National Park.

6. Balloons Are Prohibited Without Authorization // Joshua Tree National Park

The stunning desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park prohibits all types of balloons unless you obtain a permit. Water balloons and helium balloons are classified as litter, and biologists are concerned they might be consumed by animals. Sky lanterns, due to their fire hazard, are also banned in this fire-prone park.

The National Park Service advises against using sky lanterns in any park for the aforementioned reasons. If paper lanterns are released, they should follow specific guidelines.

7. Profanity and Offensive Gestures Are Forbidden // All National Parks

Disorderly conduct is banned in National Parks, but what constitutes it? Federal regulations describe it as actions with “intent to cause public alarm” or “recklessly creating a risk.” Additionally, the law states that using “obscene language, gestures, or engaging in indecent acts” is unlawful. While park rangers may not arrest everyone who swears, it’s a reminder to remain respectful and mindful of your environment.

8. Do Not Build or Tamper with Cairns // All National Parks

Cairns are stacks of rocks often seen on hiking trails. They serve a practical purpose—park authorities use them to indicate trails or important locations. For this reason, visitors are prohibited from creating their own cairns or altering existing ones, as doing so could mislead hikers and pose risks. Building cairns also harms the local ecosystem.

Some parks use cairns purely for decoration rather than trail marking. Therefore, it’s crucial to review a park’s website or signs before relying on cairns for navigation.

9. Do Not Touch or Relocate Dead Fish // All National Parks

While it’s logical that you’re barred from “possessing, harming, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing” wildlife in its natural state, you might be surprised to learn that handling dead wildlife is also illegal. Collecting dead fish on the shore, taking abandoned bird nests, or keeping shed deer antlers is prohibited. Park officials aim to ensure that no part of the wildlife or their habitat is disrupted. Similarly, introducing any wildlife into a park’s ecosystem is against the law.

10. Pushing Rocks Down Hills is Prohibited // All National Parks

Just as you cannot interfere with dead wildlife, you are also prohibited from disturbing rocks. The same federal regulation prohibits throwing or rolling rocks (or similar objects) in National Parks. What may seem like a harmless act could harm the surrounding ecosystem. The law explicitly bans throwing rocks “into caves, valleys, canyons, down slopes, or into thermal features.”