[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR7.13]

[Page 63-69]
 
              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
      CHAPTER I--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 
PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM--Table 
of Contents
 
Sec. 7.13  Yellowstone National Park.

    (a) Commercial Vehicles. (1) Notwithstanding the prohibition of 
commercial vehicles set forth in Sec. 5.6 of this chapter, commercial 
vehicles are allowed to operate on U.S. Highway 191 in accordance with 
the provisions of this section.
    (2) The transporting on U.S. Highway 191 of any substance or 
combination of substances, including any hazardous substance, hazardous 
material, or hazardous waste as defined in 49 CFR 171.8 that requires 
placarding of the transport vehicle in accordance with 49 CFR 177.823 or 
any marine pollutant that requires marking as defined in 49 CFR Subtitle 
B, is prohibited; provided, however, that the superintendent may issue 
permits and establish terms and conditions for the transportation of 
hazardous materials on U.S. Highway 191 in emergencies or when such 
transportation is necessary for access to lands within or adjacent to 
the park area.
    (3) The operator of a motor vehicle transporting any hazardous 
substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant in 
accordance with a permit issued under this section is not relieved in 
any manner from complying with all applicable regulations in 49 CFR 
Subtitle B, or with any other State or federal laws and regulations 
applicable to the transportation of any hazardous substance, hazardous 
material, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant.
    (4) The superintendent may require a permit and establish terms and 
conditions for the operation of a commercial vehicle on any park road in 
accordance with Sec. 1.6 of this chapter. The superintendent may charge 
a fee for permits

[[Page 64]]

in accordance with a fee schedule established annually.
    (5) Operating without, or violating a term or condition of, a permit 
issued in accordance with this section is prohibited. In addition, 
violating a term or condition of a permit may result in the suspension 
or revocation of the permit.
    (b) Employee motor vehicle permits:
    (1) A motor vehicle owned and/or operated by an employee of the U.S. 
Government, park concessioners and contractors, whether employed in a 
permanent or temporary capacity, shall be registered with the 
Superintendent and a permit authorizing the use of said vehicle in the 
park is required. This requirement also applies to members of an 
employee's family living in the park who own or operate a motor vehicle 
within the park. Such permit, issued free of charge, may be secured only 
when the vehicle operator can produce a valid certificate of 
registration, and has in his possession a valid operator's license. No 
motor vehicle may be operated on park roads unless properly registered.
    (2) The permit is valid only for the calendar year of issue. 
Registry must be completed and permits secured by April 15 of each year 
or within one week after bringing a motor vehicle into the park, 
whichever date is later. The permit shall be affixed to the vehicle as 
designated by the Superintendent.
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Vessels--(1) Permit. (i) A general permit, issued by the 
Superintendent, is required for all vessels operated upon the waters of 
the park open to boating. In certain areas a special permit is required 
as specified hereinbelow. These permits must be carried within the 
vessel at all times when any person is aboard, and shall be exhibited 
upon request to any person authorized to enforce the regulations in this 
chapter.
    (ii) A special permit shall be issued by the Superintendent to any 
holder of a general permit who expresses the intention to travel into 
either the South Arm or the Southeast Arm ``Five Mile Per Hour Zones'' 
of Yellowstone Lake, as defined in paragraphs (d)(6) (ii) and (iii) of 
this section, upon the completion and filing of a form statement in 
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(10) of this section.
    (iii) Neither a general nor special permit shall be issued until the 
permittee has signed a statement certifying that he is familiar with the 
speed and all other limitations and requirements in these regulations. 
The applicant for a special permit shall also agree in writing to 
provide, in accordance with paragraph (d)(10) of this section, 
information concerning the actual travel within the ``Five Mile Per Hour 
Zones.''
    (2) Removal of vessels. All privately owned vessels, boat trailers, 
waterborne craft of any kind, buoys, mooring floats, and anchorage 
equipment will not be permitted in the park prior to May 1 and must be 
removed by November 1.
    (3) Restricted landing areas. (i) Prior to July 1 of each year, the 
landing of any vessel on the shore of Yellowstone Lake between Trail 
Creek and Beaverdam Creek is prohibited, except upon written permission 
of the Superintendent.
    (ii) The landing or beaching of any vessel on the shores of 
Yellowstone Lake (a) within the confines of Bridge Bay Marina and Lagoon 
and the connecting channel with Yellowstone Lake; and (b) within the 
confines of Grant Village Marina and Lagoon and the connecting channel 
with Yellowstone Lake is prohibited except at the piers or docks 
provided for the purpose.
    (4) Closed waters. (i) Vessels are prohibited on Sylvan Lake, 
Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakes, and Beach Springs Lagoon.
    (ii) Vessels are prohibited on park rivers and streams (as 
differentiated from lakes and lagoons), except on the channel between 
Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, which is open only to handpropelled 
vessels.
    (5) Lewis Lake motorboat waters. Motorboats are permitted on Lewis 
Lake.
    (6) Yellowstone Lake motorboat waters. Motorboats are permitted on 
Yellowstone Lake except in Flat Mountain Arm as described in paragraph 
(d)(6)(i) of this section and as restricted within the South Arm and the 
Southeast Arm where operation is confined to areas known as ``Five Mile 
Per Hour Zones'' which waters are between the lines as

[[Page 65]]

described in paragraphs (d)(6) (ii) and (iii) of this section in the 
South Arm and Southeast Arm, but which specifically exclude the 
southernmost 2 miles of both Arms which are open only to hand-propelled 
vessels.
    (i) The following portion of Flat Mountain Arm of Yellowstone Lake 
is restricted to hand-propelled vessels: West of a line beginning at a 
point marked by a monument located on the south shore of the Flat 
Mountain Arm and approximately 10,200 feet easterly from the southwest 
tip of the said arm, said point being approximately 
44 deg.22[min]13.2[sec] N. latitude and 110 deg.25[min]07.2[sec] W. 
longitude, then running approximately 2,800 feet due north to a point 
marked by a monument located on the north shore of the Flat Mountain 
Arm, said point being approximately 44 deg.22[min]40[sec] N. latitude 
and 110 deg.25[min]07.2[sec] W. longitude.
    (ii) In the South Arm that portion between a line from Plover Point 
running generally east to a point marked by a monument on the northwest 
tip of the peninsula common to the South and Southeast Arms; and a line 
from a monument located on the west shore of the South Arm approximately 
2 miles north of the cairn which marks the extreme southern extremity of 
Yellowstone Lake in accordance with the Act of Congress establishing 
Yellowstone National Park; said point being approximately in latitude 
44 deg.18[min]22.8[sec] N., at longitude 110 deg.20[min]04.8[sec] W., 
Greenwich Meridian, running due east to a point on the east shore of the 
South Arm marked by a monument. Operation of motorboats south of the 
latter line is prohibited.
    (iii) In the Southeast Arm that portion between a line from a 
monument on the northwest tip of the peninsula common to the South and 
Southeast Arms which runs generally east to a monument at the mouth of 
Columbine Creek; and a line from a cairn which marks the extreme eastern 
extremity of Yellowstone Lake, in accordance with the Act of Congress 
establishing Yellowstone National Park; said point being approximately 
in latitude 44 deg.19[min]42.0[sec] N., at longitude 
110 deg.12[min]06.0[sec] W., Greenwich Meridian, running westerly to a 
point on the west shore of the Southeast Arm, marked by a monument; said 
point being approximately in latitude 44 deg.20[min]03.6[sec] N., at 
longitude 110 deg.16[min]19.2[sec] W., Greenwich Meridian. Operation of 
motorboats south of the latter line is prohibited.
    (7) Motorboats are prohibited on park waters except as permitted in 
paragraphs (d) (5) and (6) of this section.
    (8) Hand-propelled vessel waters. Hand-propelled vessels and sail 
vessels may operate in park waters except on those waters named in 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
    (9) Five Mile Per Hour Zone motorboat restrictions. The operation of 
motorboats within ``Five Mile Per Hour Zones'' is subject to the 
following restrictions:
    (i) Class 1 and Class 2 motorboats shall proceed no closer than one-
quarter mile from the shoreline except to debark or embark passengers, 
or while moored when passengers are ashore.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (10) Permission required to operate motorboats in Five Mile Per Hour 
Zone. Written authority for motorboats to enter either or both the South 
Arm or the Southeast Arm ``Five Mile Per Hour Zones'' shall be granted 
to an operator providing that prior to commencement of such entry the 
operator completes and files with the Superintendent a form statement 
showing:
    (i) Length, make, and number of motorboat.
    (ii) Type of vessel, such as inboard, inboard-outboard, turbojet, 
and including make and horsepower rating of motor.
    (iii) Name and address of head of party.
    (iv) Number of persons in party.
    (v) Number of nights planned to spend in each ``Five Mile Per Hour 
Zone.''
    (vi) Place where camping is planned within each ``Five Mile Per Hour 
Zone,'' or if applicable, whether party will remain overnight on board.
    (11) The disturbance of birds inhabiting or nesting on either of the 
islands designated as ``Molly Islands'' in the Southeast Arm of 
Yellowstone Lake is prohibited; nor shall any vessel approach the 
shoreline of said islands within one-quarter mile.

[[Page 66]]

    (12) Boat racing, water pageants, and spectacular or unsafe types of 
recreational use of vessels are prohibited on park waters.
    (e) Fishing. (1) Fishing restrictions, based on management 
objectives described in the park's Resources Management Plan, are 
established annually by the superintendent.
    (2) The superintendent may impose closures and establish conditions 
or restrictions, in accordance with the criteria and procedures of 
Secs. 1.5 and 1.7 of this chapter, on any activity pertaining to 
fishing, including, but not limited to, seasons and hours during which 
fishing may take place, size, creel and possession limits, species of 
fish that may be taken and methods of taking.
    (3) Closed waters. The following waters of the park are closed to 
fishing and are so designated by appropriate signs:
    (i) Pelican Creek from its mouth to a point two miles upstream.
    (ii) The Yellowstone River and its tributary streams from the 
Yellowstone Lake outlet to a point one mile downstream.
    (iii) The Yellowstone River and its tributary streams from the 
confluence of Alum Creek with the Yellowstone River upstream to the 
Sulphur Caldron.
    (iv) The Yellowstone River from the top of the Upper Falls 
downstream to a point directly below the overlook known as Inspiration 
Point.
    (v) Bridge Bay Lagoon and Marina and Grant Village Lagoon and Marina 
and their connecting channels with Yellowstone Lake.
    (vi) The shores of the southern extreme of the West Thumb thermal 
area along the shore of Yellowstone Lake to the mouth of Little Thumb 
Creek.
    (vii) The Mammoth water supply reservoir.
    (4) Fishing in closed waters or violating a condition or restriction 
established by the superintendent is prohibited.
    (f) Commercial passenger-carrying vehicles. The prohibition against 
the commercial transportation of passengers by motor vehicles in 
Yellowstone National Park contained in Sec. 5.4 of this chapter shall be 
subject to the following exception: Motor vehicles operated on an 
infrequent and nonscheduled tour on which the visit to the park is an 
incident to such tour, carrying only round trip passengers traveling 
from the point of origin of the tour will, subject to the conditions set 
forth in this paragraph, be accorded admission to the park for the 
purpose of delivering passengers to a point of overnight stay in the 
park and exit from the park. After passengers have completed their stay, 
such motor vehicles shall leave the park by the most convenient exit 
station, considering their destinations. Motor vehicles admitted to the 
park under this paragraph shall not, while in the park, engage in 
general sightseeing operations. Admission will be accorded such vehicles 
upon establishing to the satisfaction of the superintendent that the 
tour originated from such place and in such manner as not to provide in 
effect a regular and duplicating service conflicting with, or in 
competition with, the services provided for the public pursuant to 
contract authorization from the Secretary. The superintendent shall have 
the authority to specify the route to be followed by such vehicles 
within the park.
    (g) Camping. (1) Camping in Yellowstone National Park by any person, 
party, or organization during any calendar year during the period Labor 
Day through June 30, inclusive, shall not exceed 30 days, either in a 
single period or combined separate periods, when such limitations are 
posted.
    (2) The intensive public-use season for camping shall be the period 
July 1 to Labor Day. During this period camping by any person, party, or 
organization shall be limited to a total of 14 days either in a single 
period or combined separate periods.
    (h) Dogs and cats. Dogs and cats on leash, crated, or otherwise 
under physical restraint are permitted in the park only within 100 feet 
of established roads and parking areas. Dogs and cats are prohibited on 
established trails and boardwalks.
    (i) [Reserved]
    (j) Travel on trails. Foot travel in all thermal areas and within 
the Yellowstone Canyon between the Upper Falls and Inspiration Point 
must be confined

[[Page 67]]

to boardwalks or trails that are maintained for such travel and are 
marked by official signs.
    (k) Portable engines and motors. The operation of motor-driven chain 
saws, portable motor-driven electric light plants, portable motor-driven 
pumps, and other implements driven by portable engines and motors is 
prohibited in the park, except in Mammoth, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, 
Bridge Bay, Grant Village, and Madison Campgrounds, for park operation 
purposes, and for construction and maintenance projects authorized by 
the Superintendent. This restriction shall not apply to outboard motors 
on waters open to motorboating.
    (l)(1) May I operate a snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park? You 
may operate a snowmobile in Yellowstone National Park in compliance with 
the public use limits and operating conditions established in this 
section. Effective with the end of the winter use season of 2003-2004, 
snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park is prohibited, except for 
essential administrative use and in emergency situations as determined 
by the Superintendent.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) What is a winter use season? A winter use season is that portion 
of the winter months that begins each year in approximately late 
November, through the following year ending in approximately the middle 
of March. Specific dates are dependent on weather conditions and the 
availability of NPS facilities and resources and may be adjusted at the 
discretion of the Superintendent. Appropriate notice will be given to 
the public of determined start and ending dates each season.
    (4) When snowmobile use is authorized, where may I operate my 
snowmobile? You may operate your snowmobile upon designated routes 
established within the park. On designated routes, snowmobile use is 
limited to the unplowed roadway, which is distinguished as that portion 
of the roadway located between the road shoulders and is designated by 
snow poles or other poles, ropes, fencing, or signs erected to regulate 
snowmobile activity. The unplowed roadway may also be distinguished by 
the interior boundaries of the berm created by the packing and grooming 
of the unplowed roadway. Snowmobiles may also be operated in pullouts or 
parking areas that are groomed or marked similarly to roadways.
    (5) What routes are designated for snowmobile use in the park during 
the winter seasons of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004? During the winter use 
seasons of 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, the following routes are designated 
for snowmobile use:
    (i) The Grand Loop Road from its junction with Terrace Springs Drive 
to Norris Junction.
    (ii) Norris Junction to Canyon Junction.
    (iii) The Grand Loop Road from Norris Junction to Madison Junction.
    (iv) The West Entrance Road from the park boundary at West 
Yellowstone to Madison Junction.
    (v) The Grand Loop Road from Madison Junction to West Thumb.
    (vi) The South Entrance Road from the South Entrance to West Thumb.
    (vii) The Grand Loop Road from West Thumb to its junction with the 
East Entrance Road.
    (viii) The East Entrance Road from the East Entrance to its junction 
with the Grand Loop Road.
    (ix) The Grand Loop Road from its junction with the East Entrance 
Road to Canyon Junction.
    (x) The South Canyon Rim Drive.
    (xi) Any groomed or marked pullouts or parking areas along each of 
these routes.
    (xii) In the developed areas of Madison Junction, Old Faithful, 
Grant Village, Lake, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Indian Creek, and Norris, 
snowmobile routes to scenic points of interest, lodging, and other 
facilities will be designated by appropriate snow poles and signs and 
will be limited to the unplowed roadways in those areas.
    (xiii) The Superintendent may open or close these routes after 
taking into consideration the location of wintering wildlife, 
appropriate snow cover, and other factors that may relate to public 
safety.
    (xiv) Maps detailing the designated routes will be available from 
Park Headquarters.
    (6) What criteria may the Superintendent use to determine the routes 
within the developed areas referred to in paragraph (l)(5)(xii) of this 
section? The

[[Page 68]]

Superintendent shall use the criteria in Executive Order 11644 (3 CFR, 
1971-1975 Comp., p. 666) and may use other criteria to determine use 
routes within the developed areas of Madison Junction, Old Faithful, 
Grant Village, Lake, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Indian Creek and Norris 
including the most direct route of access, weather and snow conditions, 
and those routes necessary to eliminate congestion and improve the 
circulation of the visitor use patterns in the interest of public 
safety.
    (7) What limits are established for the number of snowmobiles 
permitted to use the park each day? For the winter use season 2003-2004, 
the numbers of snowmobiles allowed to use the park each day are listed 
in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Maximum
                                                                daily
                                                              number of
                 Park entrance gate or area                  snowmobiles
                                                             allowed per
                                                                 gate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) North Entrance.........................................           60
(ii) West Entrance.........................................          278
(iii) East Entrance........................................           65
(iv) South Entrance........................................           90
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) May I operate a snowcoach in Yellowstone National Park? 
Snowcoaches may be operated in Yellowstone National Park under a 
Concessions Contract or Permit authorized by the Superintendent. 
Snowcoach operation is subject to the conditions of the permit and all 
other conditions identified in this section.
    (9) What is a snowcoach? A snowcoach is a self-propelled mass 
transit vehicle intended for travel on snow, having a curb weight of 
over 1000 pounds (450 kilograms), driven by a track or tracks and 
steered by skis or tracks, having a capacity of at least 8 passengers.
    (10) What routes are designated for snowcoach use? Snowcoaches may 
operate on the same routes designated for snowmobile use in paragraph 
(l)(5) of this section and the following designated routes:
    (i) Firehole Canyon Drive.
    (ii) Fountain Flat Road.
    (iii) Virginia Cascades Drive.
    (iv) North Canyon Rim Drive.
    (v) Riverside Drive.
    (vi) Lake Butte Overlook Drive.
    (vii) The portion of the Grand Loop Road from Canyon Junction to 
Washburn Hot Springs Overlook.
    (11) What other conditions are placed on snowmobile and snowcoach 
operations? Snowmobiles and snowcoaches may be operated in the park 
under the following conditions:
    (i) Snowcoaches, and during the winter use seasons of 2002-2003 and 
2003-2004 snowmobiles, may not be operated in the park between the hours 
of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. except by authorization.
    (ii) Idling a snowmobile or snowcoach is limited to 10 minutes at 
any one time.
    (iii) Snowmobiles or snowcoaches that stop on designated routes must 
pull over to the far right next to the snow berm. Stopping the vehicle 
in a hazardous location, or where the view of the vehicle might be 
obscured, such as on a curve, is prohibited. Pullouts must be utilized 
when available and accessible.
    (iv) Snowmobiles and snowcoaches must be properly registered and 
display a valid state registration sticker.
    (v) Snowmobile operators must possess a valid state motor vehicle 
operator's license or learner's permit. The license or permit must be 
carried on the operator's person at all times.
    (vi) Persons operating a snowmobile while possessing a learner's 
permit must be accompanied and supervised within line of sight, but no 
further than 100 yards, by a responsible person 21 years of age or older 
possessing a valid state motor vehicle operator's license.
    (vii) Allowing or permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a 
snowmobile is prohibited.
    (viii) During the winter season of 2003-2004, snowmobiles must be 
accompanied by an NPS permitted guide and may not travel in groups of 
more than 11 snowmobiles.
    (12) May I operate a snowplane in the park? The operation of 
snowplanes in Yellowstone National Park is prohibited.
    (13) What is a snowplane? A snowplane is a self-propelled vehicle 
intended for over-the-snow travel and driven by a pusher-propeller.
    (14) Are there any other forms of over-snow transportation allowed 
in the park? No other forms of motorized over-snow transportation are 
permitted for use in the park unless specifically approved

[[Page 69]]

by the Superintendent and are consistent with the requirements of the 
applicable Executive Orders and the park's management plans.
    (m) Swimming. The swimming or bathing in a natural, historical, or 
archeological thermal pool or stream that has waters originating 
entirely from a thermal spring or pool is prohibited.

[36 FR 12014, June 24, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 24034, Nov. 11, 1972; 
39 FR 9964, Mar. 15, 1974; 43 FR 21460, May 18, 1978; 45 FR 56343, Aug. 
25, 1980; 48 FR 30293, June 30, 1983; 52 FR 10686, Apr. 2, 1987; 52 FR 
19346, May 22, 1987; 59 FR 43736, Aug. 25, 1994; 66 FR 7265, Jan. 22, 
2001; 67 FR 69477, Nov. 18, 2002]