The short answer
Since February 22, 2010, federal law has allowed firearms in national parks, national forests, and other federal recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — as long as carrying that firearm is legal under the law of the state the park is located in.
This was a major change. Before 2010, firearms in national parks generally had to be unloaded and stored — even if you had a valid carry permit. The 2010 law (part of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, which included an unrelated firearms rider) eliminated that blanket federal restriction.
If you can legally carry concealed in the state where the park is located — whether because you have a valid permit or because that state has permitless carry — you can generally carry the same way inside the national park.
What this means practically
- Park in a permitless carry state (e.g., Yellowstone spans Wyoming/Montana/Idaho — all permitless): any eligible adult may carry without a permit, inside the park exactly as they could outside it. Minimum age varies by state — 18 in all three of these as of July 2026 (Wyoming lowered its age from 21 effective July 1, 2026).
- Park in a permit-required state (e.g., Shenandoah in Virginia): you need a valid Virginia permit, or a permit from a state Virginia recognizes for reciprocity, to carry concealed in the park.
- Park spanning multiple states (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains spans Tennessee and North Carolina): the rule that applies depends on which state's portion of the park you are physically in. Tennessee is permitless; North Carolina requires a permit. Know which side of the park boundary you're on.
- Visiting from out of state: your home-state permit must be one that the park's state recognizes for reciprocity, exactly as if you were carrying anywhere else in that state. Use our Reciprocity Checker to verify before you go.
What is still off-limits, even with the 2010 rule
The 2010 change applies to outdoor areas of the park. It does not override these separate federal restrictions:
- Federal buildings. Visitor centers, ranger stations, administrative offices, and other federal buildings within the park remain off-limits under 18 U.S.C. § 930, which prohibits firearms in federal facilities. Look for posted signage at building entrances.
- Federal courthouse and law enforcement areas within parks.
- Special use areas with their own posted restrictions (some historic sites, certain monuments).
- Hunting regulations are separate from carry regulations — carrying a sidearm for self-defense is different from hunting, which has its own permitting and seasonal rules within park boundaries (most national parks prohibit hunting entirely; national forests and BLM land may allow it with state licenses).
Popular national parks and their state's carry status
Quick reference — click through to the full state guide for details:
Backcountry and wildlife safety considerations
Many people researching this topic are planning backcountry trips and considering a firearm for protection against wildlife (bears in particular) rather than personal security from other people. A few practical notes:
- Carrying a handgun is legal where state law allows it, as described above — but many wildlife safety experts and park rangers recommend bear spray as a more effective deterrent in close encounters, since a charging bear is extremely difficult to stop reliably with a handgun under stress.
- Some parks specifically discuss firearms-vs-bear-spray guidance on their websites (e.g., Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton) — check the specific park's wildlife safety page before your trip.
- Discharging a firearm within a national park (other than in self-defense or by hunters where permitted) is generally a separate federal offense, regardless of your carry rights.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special federal permit to carry in a national park?
No. There is no separate federal carry permit for national parks. You simply need to be following the carry law of the state the park is located in — a state permit (if required), or simply being an eligible adult if the state has permitless carry.
Can I carry in a national park visitor center?
Generally no. Visitor centers, ranger stations, and other federal buildings within national parks remain off-limits under separate federal law (18 U.S.C. § 930) regardless of state carry law. Look for posted signage.
What about national forests and BLM land?
The same 2010 rule applies to U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land — carry consistent with the state's law is permitted. National forests also typically allow hunting (with proper state licenses), which is a separate consideration from concealed carry for personal protection.
What if the park is in a state I don't have a permit for?
If the park's state requires a permit and yours isn't recognized there, you cannot legally carry concealed in that park. Check our Reciprocity Checker before your trip, or consider a Utah or Florida non-resident permit if you travel to parks across many states — see our Non-Resident Carry Guide.
Is hunting in a national park legal with a carry permit?
Hunting and concealed carry are entirely separate legal questions. Most national parks prohibit hunting entirely (Grand Teton is a notable partial exception). A concealed carry permit does not grant hunting rights — those require separate state hunting licenses and apply only where hunting is allowed (primarily national forests and some BLM land, not most national parks).