With warm weather on the horizon, many gun owners will be turning to the outdoors for a little getaway or adventure.
And the U.S. offers plenty of beautiful lands to enjoy, including some impressive hikes and camping spots at national parks.
But with a number of national parks throughout the country and varying gun laws, it can be confusing when it comes to concealed carry in your favorite national park.
Is it legal? Can you do it without going to jail?
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered!
We’re going to run you through what laws are on the books regarding carry in national parks, what things you need to consider before packing, and any details that might throw a wrench in your weekend plans.
Armed with our guide here, you’ll be better informed than the average bear.
Disclaimer: While the information provided here is legal in nature, it is not to be construed as legal advice and is for educational and entertainment purposes only.
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Can I Carry in a National Park?
The short answer…yes.
Whether you’re camping in the wilderness of Yellowstone or just taking a stroll through the Gateway Arch, as long as you are legally allowed to possess a firearm in the state where the national park is located, you are allowed to carry the firearm.
But don’t close this page just yet. Like with everything in life, the devil is in the details.
Things to Consider
It’s important to keep in mind that many national parks span across multiple states.
While your possession of a firearm may be perfectly legal and permitted in one part of the park, another portion sitting in a different state might have different firearms laws.
And those laws might make it illegal for you to carry a gun.
Many states have reciprocity when it comes to concealed carry permits, recognizing CCW licenses of other states.
For example, if you have a CCW permit from Arizona, carrying your gun all throughout Yellowstone is permitted — whether you are in Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho.
All three of those states recognize an Arizona CCW permit, so you’re good.
However, this would not be the case if you took that same gun and your Arizona CCW permit to Yosemite in California. The Golden State does not recognize an Arizona CCW permit, so you would be in some hot water.
A visit to Yosemite would require you to leave the gun at home.
(Want to read more on California laws: Check our guide here.)
Fortunately, there are plenty of other national parks in the country. So, it’s not a huge loss if you need to forgo that park.
In short, it’s worth looking into the national park, understanding what states it spans, and whether your CCW permit is recognized there before you arrive locked and loaded.
What About Buildings in National Parks?
All federal and state laws are still in effect, despite you being within a national park. What that means is the federal law that prohibits the possession of firearms in federal facilities still applies.
So, you can carry your firearm in the actual park itself, as long as the state laws allow it, but you cannot bring the gun into the ranger station, visitor center, or any other federal building — even with a recognized CCW permit.
Thanks a lot, Ranger Smith.
Need to head inside? The gun will need to be securely stowed in the car, or you’ll need to send a friend or family member inside instead.
Using a Firearm in a National Park
The most important thing to keep in mind when carrying your firearm in a national park…
You can’t use it for target practice. Like at all. Target practice is prohibited.
And unless you have a hunting permit, you can’t use your gun for hunting purposes inside the national park.
Of course, if you absolutely need to use your gun in a self-defense situation, then that’s a different story. But that’s a story you’ll probably be explaining to the jury during your trial afterward.
So, to recap, don’t head to the park for plinking. Keep that to your local range.
Final Thoughts
The next time you plan a trip to a national park with the family, be sure to do a quick check of the gun laws of the state where the park is located. With any luck, it’ll be a state where your CCW permit is recognized.
Avoid national parks in states without reciprocity and/or leave your gun at home if you plan on visiting. And remember, national park buildings count as federal buildings, so guns are prohibited.
With a little research, you can safely and securely enjoy some outdoor adventures!
What’s your favorite park to visit? Let us know in the comments below. Need some good CCW options? Check out our top recommendations for Concealed Carry Handguns!
24 Leave a Reply
Thanks. The article helped me so much)
Good article. Not too surprised that you didn't mention WHY you can carry in National Parks...
Thank you, President Obama, for that one!
Robert Larson.
My favorite was in Yellowstone I could legally carry but I could not legally inter the outhouse. Literely a two seater shed around a hole in the ground.
What states recognize a Nevada CCW?
You should look at this website it shows which states recognize a Nevada CCW, also check it before traveling, it changes and you want to be up to date on the information. I was told by my ccw instructor that the states change frequently.
usconcealedcarry website or doing a google search for the information.
What about National Forests?
IMO: Unless otherwise prohibited, it is perfectly legal to posses, use or discharge a weapon on National Forest System lands.
Perfectly legal on National Forest System lands, unless otherwise prohibited.
In the Los Padres National Forest one can only shoot at two public ranges inside the forest. I think both are in Ventura County.
The mess created on West Cuesta Ridge and the opening of the range on HWY 1 near Moro Bay closed the open shooting area there Twenty five plus years ago.
Check the website for the forest you’re interested in.
Can you shoot your gun to scare off a cougar or bear in a park?
try it and let us know
Park ranger here; no, you cannot.
What if the animal is attacking yourself or another individual?
Getting gored by bison?
you won’t be worried about pulling a firearm & you were to close if you provoke it.
If my life is in danger you bet your ass I can. Being stalked or chased etc. My life is far more important than your park rules or laws. For military police officer here.
No, doing so will get you arrested. Use pepper spray and you are good to go.
And while Yogi uses your Pepper Spray as a Condiment to snack on your butt, you can write a note to your Congressman about how Unconstitutional Gun Laws in National Parks INFRINGE upon the 2nd Amendment.
Teddy Roosevelt never intended any part of National Parks to be Gun Free/Restricted Zones, and would have told Ranger Rick to F**k Off.
Check out Grizzly attacks. The folks that were maimed or killed didn’t even see it coming. It was over that fast too. The guides in Alaska swear by pepper spray.
If conditions are just right, pepper spray works.
Just like some humans tolerate pepper spray, some even enjoying it. So does wildlife. I watched a Black Bear, get sprayed, shake it's head and resume charging.
I worked for the USFS law enforcement while in Alaska. I would suggest that a lot more bear exist up there and the Forest Service required that at least one employee maintain a ready-firearm at all times -- for personal protection (see/read this: Safety in bear country: protective measures and bullet performance at short range.) The supreme court in McDonald v. Chicago (130 S.Ct. 3020 (2010) 561 U.S. 742), reaffirmed that the 2nd amendment allowed for personal protection. IMO (I'm not a lawyer) if an animal legitimately threatens your (or another's) life even in a National Park, you may protect yourself and discharge the weapon under the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution. It is NOT (or cannot be) prohibited by any other subordinate law or regulation, as per the supremacy clause of the constitution. Of course the US Government suggest that ALL their rules and regulations are lawful (even those generated by some bureaucrat) "unless adjudicated otherwise" so you might still get arrested and have to prove your rights in a court. Terrible direction we are now heading. Don't let the Park Service tell you that you cannot use a weapon for self defense -- at present they sneak in little clarifiers like "should not" use a weapon, but you can and should if you want to stay safe. Bear spray will likely work on 24 out of 25 bears. It's that 1 that you will meet that it doesn't work on which will kill you dead.
That's not true. If you can legally own and carry a firearm, you can carry it in National Parks. And that's thanks to President Obama, who early in his first term overturned a 20 year old law disallowing guns in Nat'l. Parks. You may not discharge the weapon, (or hunt) but if you're packing and are forced to use the gun for defense, well, I reckon (as they say) it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
I think the gun must be concealed, but check it for yourself.
Ullshit. What liberal idiot decided you have to put your life in even more danger hoping that works. No if it is what you have to protect yourself and your life is in danger you will be fine. If in question don't tell anyone
Look up the case of the Texan that decided a grizzly in Denali needed killing then get back to me.
We live in Eastern Idaho near Yellowstone. The folks here killed by bears never see it coming. That includes guides, hunters, and just unlucky folks.