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 Yellowstone
has a designated backcountry campsite system, and a Backcountry Use Permit
is required for all overnight stays. Each designated campsite has a maximum
limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay
per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted
only in established fire pits. Wood fires are not allowed in some
backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated
campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. Neither
hunting nor firearms are allowed in Yellowstone's backcountry.
 Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in
advance of your trip. Permits are available from most ranger stations and
visitor centers. In order to obtain the best information on trail
conditions, permits should be obtained from the ranger station or visitor
center nearest to the area where your trip is to begin. The Backcountry Use
Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry
travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.
Advance Reservations for Backcountry Campsites
Although permits must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in
advance, backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance. Requests for
reservations must be submitted by mail or in person. They cannot be made
over the phone or by fax. Reservations are booked on a first come, first
served basis. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or mailed to the
camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit
not more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are
provided on the confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $ 20.00
regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The
fee is not refundable. Forms for making an advance reservation are available
to download online at:
Backcountry Trip Planner, or by writing to:
Backcountry Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Or call: 307-344-2160.
Permits and Reservations Made Less Than 48 Hours in Advance
Because only a portion of the approximately 300 backcountry campsites are
available for advance reservations, you may choose to wait until you arrive
in the park to reserve your site(s) and obtain your permit. The $ 20.00 fee
applies only to reservations made more than 48 hours in advance of the start
of your trip.
Where to Get Your Permit
During the summer season (June - August), permits are available 7 days a
week between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:
- Bechler Ranger Station
- Canyon Ranger Station/Visitor Center
- Grant Village Visitor Center
- Lake Ranger Station
- Mammoth Ranger Station/Visitor Center
- Old Faithful Ranger Station
- South Entrance Ranger Station
- Tower Ranger Station
- West Entrance Ranger Station
In addition, permits may sometimes be obtained from rangers on duty at
the East Entrance and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. However, these rangers have
other duties and may not be available to provide assistance at all times.
During the spring, fall, and winter seasons, ranger stations and visitor
centers do not have set hours. To obtain a Backcountry Use Permit during
these seasons, check the office hours posted at the nearest ranger station
or visitor center.
Hiking and camping restrictions are occasionally in effect as a result of
bear activity. Never camp in an area that has obvious evidence of bear
activity such as digging, tracks, or scat. Odors attract bears, so avoid
carrying or cooking odorous foods. Keep a clean camp; do not cook or store
food in your tent. All food, garbage, or other odorous items used for
preparing or cooking food must be secured from bears. Most backcountry
campsites have food poles from which all food, cooking gear, and scented
articles must be suspended when not being used. Treat all odorous products
such as soap, deodorant, or other toiletries in the same manner as food. Do
not leave packs containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Allowing
a bear to obtain human food even once often results in the bear becoming
aggressive about obtaining such food in the future. Aggressive bears present
a threat to human safety and eventually must be destroyed or removed from
the park. Please obey the law and do not allow bears or other wildlife to
obtain human food.
Sleep a minimum of 100 yards (91 meters) from where you hang, cook, and
eat your food. Keep your sleeping gear clean and free of food odor. Don't
sleep in the same clothes worn while cooking and eating; hang clothing worn
while cooking and eating in plastic bags.
Considering bears' highly developed sense of smell, it may seem logical
that they could be attracted to odors associated with menstruation. Studies
on this subject are few and inconclusive. If a woman chooses to hike or camp
in bear country during menstruation, a basic precaution should be to wear
internal tampons, not external pads. Used tampons should be double-bagged in
a zip-lock type bag and stored the same as garbage.
If you are involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor,
report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. Another's safety may depend
on it. Exceptional combinations of food, shelter, and space draw grizzlies
to some parts of Yellowstone more than others. In these Bear Management
Areas, human access is restricted to reduce impacts on the bears and their
habitat. Ask at ranger stations or visitor centers for more information.
How to minimize the dangers associated with a bear encounter.
Handling Refuse
All refuse must be carried out of the backcountry. Human waste must be
buried 6 to 8 inches (15 - 20 centimeters) below the ground and a minimum of
100 feet (30 meters) from a watercourse. Waste water should be disposed of
at least 100 feet (30 meters) from a watercourse or campsite. Do not pollute
lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams by washing yourself, clothing, or dishes in
them.
General Safety Concerns
Should you drink the water? Intestinal infections from drinking untreated
water are increasingly common. Waters may be polluted by animal and/or human
wastes. When possible, carry a supply of water from a domestic source. If
you drink water from lakes and streams, bring it to a boil to reduce the
chance of infection.
Don't take chances in backcountry thermal areas. Scalding water underlies
thin, breakable crusts; pools are near or above boiling temperatures. Each
year, visitors traveling off trail have been seriously burned, and people
have died from the scalding water. No swimming or bathing is allowed in
thermal pools.
Removing, defacing or destroying any plant, animal, or mineral is
prohibited. Leave historical and archeological items in place.
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