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Spreading Ashes in National Parks
If your loved one had a favorite spot in one of the many national parks across the US and Canada, you might be wondering if it's legal to permanently lay them to rest there. Spoiler alert: In most cases, it is! But many of our parks have restrictions or require a permit to memorialize someone by scattering their ashes. Since the rules can be confusing and vary from park to park, we decided to help make your decision easier by gathering what you need to know about spreading ashes in national parks all in one place.
In the table below, you'll find information about scattering ashes for each of the 61 National Parks within the 50 United States, including links to each park's website. Canadian provinces are not included because Canada's rules are less stringent.
Scattering Ashes in Canada's National Parks
As long as you follow the park system's guidelines, there is no permit required for scattering ashes in the national parks in Canada. The basic rules are simple:
- Do not spread ashes on or close to trails, day-use areas, roads, or campground facilities.
- Do not leave anything but your loved one's ashes and their memories in the park. Any memorial plaques, urns, or other items will be found and disposed of by rangers.
- Do not scatter ashes near bodies of water. The minerals could disrupt watershed ecosystems.
- Do not spread ashes in culturally sensitive areas.
- Choose a time that allows for your privacy. During summer's peak tourism season, early morning or evening are better options than during the middle of the day.
If you feel you need an exception to any of these guidelines, contact the specific park you're interested in directly to ask for special permission.
Scattering Ashes in National Parks in the US
Of the 61 national parks within the 50 states, only four do not allow the spreading of cremains within them. However, there are two parks – Kobuk Valley in Alaska and Capitol Reef in Utah – with no information readily available.
| National Park Name | Location | Can You Spread Ashes? | Link for More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denali National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Alaska | Unclear | More Information |
| Lake Clark National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve | Alaska | Yes | More Information |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona | No | More Information |
| Petrified Forest National Park | Arizona | No | More Information |
| Saguaro National Park | Arizona | Yes | More Information |
| Hot Springs National Park | Arkansas | Yes | More Information |
| Channel Islands National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Joshua Tree National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Pinnacles National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Redwood National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Sequoia & Kings Canyon | California | Yes | More Information |
| Yosemite National Park | California | Yes | More Information |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Colorado | Yes | More Information |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Colorado | Yes | More Information |
| Mesa Verde National Park | Colorado | No | More Information |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado | Yes | More Information |
| Gulf Islands National Seashore | Florida - Mississippi | Yes | More Information |
| Biscayne National Park | Florida | Yes | More Information |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | Florida | Yes | More Information |
| Everglades National Park | Florida | Yes | More Information |
| Haleakalā National Park | Hawaii | Yes | More Information |
| Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park | Hawaii | Yes | More Information |
| Yellowstone | Idaho, Montana, Wyoming | Yes | More Information |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Indiana | Yes | More Information |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Kentucky | Yes | More Information |
| Acadia National Park | Maine | Yes | More Information |
| Isle Royale | Michigan | Yes | More Information |
| Voyageurs National Park | Minnesota | Yes | More Information |
| Gateway Arch National Park | Missouri | No | More Information |
| Glacier National Park | Montana | Yes | More Information |
| Death Valley National Park | Nevada, California | Yes | More Information |
| Great Basin National Park | Nevada | Yes | More Information |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New Mexico | Yes | More Information |
| White Sands National Park | New Mexico | Yes | More Information |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | North Carolina, Tennessee | Yes | More Information |
| Theordore Roosevelt National Park | North Dakota | Yes | More Information |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Ohio | Yes | More Information |
| Crater Lake National Park | Oregon | Yes | More Information |
| Conagree National Park | South Carolina | Yes | More Information |
| Badlands National Park | South Dakota | Yes | More Information |
| Wind Cave National Park | South Dakota | Yes | More Information |
| Big Bend National Park | Texas | Yes | More Information |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Texas | Yes | More Information |
| Arches National Park | Utah | Yes | More Information |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Utah | Yes | More Information |
| Canyonlands National Park | Utah | Yes | More Information |
| Capitol Reef National Park | Utah | Yes | More Information |
| Zion National Park | Utah | Yes | More Information |
| Shenandoah National Park | Virginia | Yes | More Information |
| Mount Rainier National Park | Washington | Yes | More Information |
| North Cascades National Park | Washington | Yes | More Information |
| Olympic National Park | Washington | Yes | More Information |
| New River Gorge National Park & Preserve | West Virginia | Yes | More Information |
| Grand Teton National Park | Wyoming | Yes | More Information |
When planning to scatter cremated remains in national parks, it's helpful to remember that other people will also be using the park and may happen upon your scattering ashes ceremony. Be patient and prepared to give them time to pass.
Other considerations include weather conditions, the size of your group, and basic park rules. Depending on the park, the climate could range from brutal cold to extreme heat and everything in between. Be sure to dress appropriately and check with the park for road or trail closures before arriving. Most parks request that group sizes remain small, and that the ceremony be intimate and not publicized. Parks typically have "leave no trace" rules that boil down to anything carried in must also be carried out. As with the Canadian parks, do not leave any markers, plaques, or other items in natural areas, including urns. Our recommendation is to use a scattering urn to make the process easier and then put it in a place of honor when you arrive home.
We hope this guide helps you plan a beautiful memorial for your loved one. For additional information on where you can scatter ashes, traveling with cremated remains, and more, check out our other Articles & Guides.
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