Can you smoke at national parks?

The vast majority of national parks in the United States do not allow smoking. There are a few exceptions, such as designated smoking areas in some campgrounds and picnic areas. However, it is generally prohibited to smoke in any building or enclosed space, as well as within 25 feet of any trail, boardwalk, or other public area.

The National Park Service (NPS) has a long history of regulating smoking in order to protect the parks' natural resources and provide a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors. In 2018, the NPS implemented a nationwide smoking ban in all of its parks, with the exception of a few designated smoking areas.

The following activities are prohibited in all national parks:

- Smoking in any building or enclosed space, including restrooms, shelters, and visitor centers.

- Smoking within 25 feet of any trail, boardwalk, or other public area.

- Smoking in any natural feature, such as a cave, geyser, or waterfall.

- Smoking in any campground, picnic area, or other developed area, except in designated smoking areas.

Violators of the smoking ban may be subject to citations and fines.

In addition to the NPS's smoking ban, many states and local governments also have their own smoking laws that may apply to national parks. It is always important to check the local laws before smoking in any park.