Yellowstone National Park Boating Regulations Motorized Boating Non-Motorized Boating Boating Safety & AIS Inspections Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of boating experiences. Boating in Yellowstone is a memorable experience and a great way to see a different part of the park, but boating in Yellowstone is not without its risks. This brochure has been pre- Contents pared to assist you in planning ahead and preparing for your boating experience, to help you make your trip as safe as possible and to help you minimize your impact on Boat Registration 1 resources so that Yellowstone can be enjoyed by future generations. & Permit Where permitted Required Equipment 2 Motorized boats are allowed only on Lewis Water-skiing, jet skis and related activiti- Recommended 4 Lake and Yellowstone Lake. Boat launches es are not allowed on any park waters. are located at Bridge Bay Marina and Grant Equipment Village on Yellowstone Lake and on the south end of Lewis Lake near the Lewis Lake Prohibitions 6 Campground. Additional 7 Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other non- motorized boats are permitted on all park Regulations lakes except Sylvan Lake, Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakes, and Beach Springs Lagoon. All park Boating Safety 8 rivers are closed to boating except for the section of the Lewis River Invasive Species 14 between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, where Yellowstone Lake 15 only non-motorized boating is permitted. Float tubes Lewis Lake & 19 are considered Shoshone Lake non-motorized boats and subject to the same regulations. Northeast Mammoth Entrance o Boat Registration o Motorized, Tower non-motorized boat , and float tube permits & Permit available at this location. Norris Canyon West o Yellowstone O Only float tube permits available at All motorized watercraft must be Bridge Bay this location Marina Old registered in the state of principle use. oFaithful Registration numbers must be displayed Grant on your watercraft in accordance with US Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. Bechler o South Entrance Place the Boat Permit and AIS stickers Additionally, all on the port (left) side of the watercraft, watercraft, includ- Where to Obtain Boat Permits and approximately one foot forward of the ing float tubes, must AIS Inspections stern (back). On a float tube, the permit 1 obtain a Yellowstone may be attached directly to the float tube National Park Boat Motorized and Non-motorized boats: or attached via a metal wicket available Permit. Motorized Snake River Ranger Station, Bridge from the issuing station. boat permits and non- Bay Ranger Station, Grant Village motorized boat permits (including float Backcountry Office. tubes) are available in a 7-day denomina- tion or as an annual permit. Contact the Float Tubes: Backcountry Office for current pricing. Canyon Backcountry Office, Mammoth Backcountry Office, Old Faithful All boats, including float tubes, will need Backcountry Office, Bechler Ranger to be inspected for Aquatic Invasive Station, Northeast Entrance, as well as all Species (AIS). If the boat is used outside other locations where boat permits are of Yellowstone after it has been inspect- sold. ed, the boat will need to be re-inspected. order and can be fastened securely. The conditions you expect to encounter. PFD must be free from holes or tears Required which could affect performance. PFD’s Check the fit of the PFD – Raise your Equipment made with KAPOC should be carefully arms over your head and have someone inspected to insure that the flotation lift the PFD straight up from the shoul- In addition to obtaining a Yellowstone chambers have not ruptured. ders. The PFD should stay in place. If the Boat Permit you must have the following • readily accessible. Wearable PFD’s PFD comes off, or if the chest area of the checked (p) items as required by the must be readily accessible. You must PFD touches your nose, then the PFD is U.S. Coast Guard: be able to put them on in a reason- too big or loose and needs to be secured. able amount of time in an emergency. If you cannot secure straps or zip the Children 12 or younger must wear a p Personal Flotation Device PFD, then it is too small. Also, test the USCG approved Type I, II, or III PFD (PFD) – all vessels must have PFD for buoyancy by making sure the when aboard a vessel which is PFD keeps your chin above water and a US Coast Guard approved, underway, except while inside wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, you can breathe easily; if your mouth is 2 an enclosed cabin. Though, not or V) for each person on board. not well above water get a new PFD with required for ages 13 and older, a more buoyancy. Additionally, boats PFD should be worn at all times 16 feet and longer (except when the vessel is underway. In kayaks/canoes) are required to a true emergency you may not have at least one immediately have time to locate and properly A PFD can accessible throwable (type IV) put on a PFD. A wearable PFD PFD. Look on the tag of the can save your life, but only if you wear it. save your life, PFD to determine type and if it is USCG but only if you approved. Type V PFDs must be worn at all times. wear it. Each PFD must be: • appropriate size for the intended user. A properly sized PFD fits comfortably • in good condition. Insure that all zip- snug and does not come above the neck pers, straps and buckles are in working or below the waist. Select a PFD based on your planned activities, and the water Anchored boats must exhibit a white sure they are in working order. anchor light except when anchored at Required designated anchor sites on Yellowstone p Ventilation – All boats built after Equipment Lake (5L8, 5L9, 7L5, 7L6, 7M1, 7M4, August 1, 1980 which use gasoline 7M5, 7F1 & 7F2). p Sound Producing Device – A sound for electrical generation, mechanical device is required for all boats to signal power or propulsion are required to be Non-motorized boats are required to your position in reduced visibility and equipped with a ventilation system. A have a light (headlamp/flashlight for for navigation to signal your intentions natural ventilation system is required night paddling or during to other vessels. The human voice is not for each compartment in a boat that: 1) periods of reduced visibility. acceptable under USCG regulations. An contains a permanently installed gasoline air horn or whistle is recommended. engine; 2) has openings between it and a p Flame Arrestors – compartment that requires ventilation; Required only on inboard engines to pre- 3) contains a permanently installed fuel p Required Lights – Running lights/ vent backfire. Not required for outboard tank and an electrical compartment. navigational lights are required to be dis- motors. Unless the motor is very old it 3 played at night and when in or near areas should have been equipped with flame of reduced visibility. When underway arrestors when manufactured. from sunset to sunrise, every motor boat shall carry and exhibit lights prescribed p for the applicable class of motorboat by Fire Extinguishers – USCG approved your state or the USCG. fire extinguishers are required on boats with inboard engines, enclosed compart- ments, or permanent fuel tanks. Boats under 26 feet must have one type B-I fire extinguisher. Boats 26 feet and over must have one type B-II fire extinguisher or two type B-I fire extinguishers. Labels should read “Marine Type USCG” and specify type and size. Fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly to make could be vital if these devices don’t work. to signal your position in the event of an vessel is prohibited. For canoes and kayaks, a bailing device is emergency. As most devices expire after Recommended indispensable in the event of capsizing or 3 years, be sure to check the expiration Compass/GPS unit, maps – and the date. Equipment if your boat is taking on water. knowledge of how to use them. Anchor/line – An anchor and line VHF Marine Band Radio and/or Cell Survival gear in dry bags – even if you Oars/paddles – Motor boats should be attached to the bow can be used to keep a Phone – A marine radio is useful for equipped with oars or paddles for emer- boat stationary and to keep it from blow- receiving storm warnings and in an are only on a day trip, gency propulsion. Canoes/kayaks should emergency for contacting other having a blanket or sleeping bag, fire carry a backup paddle in case a primary boats, NPS boat patrol, or the starter and matches stored in a dry bag paddle is lost or broken. Scope 7:1 Bridge Bay Marina. A cell phone could be life saving if, in an emergency, 30 x 7 = 210 foot line may also be helpful in an emer- you capsize and/or have to spend the Bailing device – All vessels should carry Total Depth = 30 feet gency situation. However, cell night out. a suitable manual bailing device such as Depth of water 28 feet + phones and marine band radios a bucket/milk jug or hand pump. Even if 2 feet above water have limited range and are affected Additional equipment for paddlers: 4 the boat has a bilge pump or automatic by topography and may not work bailing device, a manual backup device Wet Suit or Paddling Jacket – can everywhere, especially in the arms help keep you warm and reduce of Yellowstone Lake. chances of hypothermia if you capsize in ing out from or into shore. An anchor Yellowstone’s cold waters. They must be which can be set is required for boats appropriate for the water & air tempera- anchoring overnight.