Big Bend National Park
Backcountry Regulations
BACKCOUNTRY REGULATIONS
You are responsible for protecting the resources of your park; these regulations are enforced.
1. GROUNDFIRES AND WOODFIRES ARE PROHIBITED.
Use only gas stoves or charcoal within a BBQ grill. Pack out all evidence of use. Note: charcoal fires are only allowed at backcountry roadside campsites and not allowed in the High Chisos or zone camping areas.
2. PACK OUT ALL LITTER.
Help preserve the park's natural beauty by packing out all litter, including cigarette butts and toilet paper.
3. NO PETS ON TRAILS OR IN BACKCOUNTRY.
Pets may harm or be harmed by wildlife, and can attract predators.
4. DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS ON TRAILS.
Although cross-country hiking is allowed, help prevent trail erosion by staying on marked trails.
5. COLLECTING ANY NATURAL OR HISTORICAL FEATURE OR OBJECT IS PROHIBITED.
Leave park features intact for others to enjoy.
6. CONTAMINATING NATURAL WATER SOURCES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS IS PROHIBITED. CAMP AT LEAST 100 YARDS FROM ANY WATER SOURCE.
Desert water sources and springs are fragile and vital for the plants and animals that depend on them for survival. Soaps, oils, skin lotions, and food residues from bathing and washing can seriously impact water quality. Minimize your impact to areas surrounding springs, seeps, and other temporal water sources.
7. CAMP WITHIN DESIGNATED SITES.
When camping in a designated site prevent resource damage by camping within the area outlined by rocks, logs, or brush.
8. GENERATOR USE IS NOT PERMITTED IN BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES.
Natural quiet is a protected resource; help preserve a quiet wilderness experience.
9. IN OPEN ZONES, CAMP AT LEAST 1/2 MILE AND OUT OF SIGHT FROM ANY ROAD AND AT LEAST 100 YDS. FROM ANY TRAIL, HISTORICAL STRUCTURE, ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE, DRY WASH, OR CLIFF EDGE.
Minimize your impact to the natural landscape.
10. BURY HUMAN WASTE AT LEAST 6 INCHES DEEP. PACK OUT TOILET PAPER.
Human waste is unsightly and unsanitary. Carry a digging trowel. Locate latrines 1/4 mile from any water source and well away from camp.
11. POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, OTHER WEAPONS, AND TRAPS IS PROHIBITED.
12. MOTORIZED VEHICLES & BICYCLES ARE PERMITTED ONLY ON DESIGNATED PUBLIC ROADS.
Off-road vehicle travel causes visual and environmental damage.
13. DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE.
Feeding wildlife is illegal; it often results in having to destroy the animal. Keep food in a hard-sided vehicle or food storage locker where provided.
Big Bend In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
