Anyone been to Yellowstone with a gun?

R

RyeDaddy

New member
I have a Yellowstone trip in June for the family. We're going go be there for two weeks doing backcountry camping, and Im going to bring a handgun.

I'm familiar with the new law that allows me to carry in the park, I have a CHL so i can carry concealed or open. My question is whether anyone has been to Yellowstone, and did you carry open, or see anyone open carrying while you were there?

I would rather open carry for comfort's sake, but Yellowstone attracts all kinds and I'll carry concealed if need be to avoid being stared at or scaring Californians.

What's the consensus?
 
IMO I'd carry concealed, not all park rangers are the how should I say this, sportsman/second amendment friendly. There was/is a ranger that patroled the Lewis and Clark National Forest, she tried doing everything she could to get hunters to stay out of there. They closed a trail to horses that has never been closed in the 30+ years my grandpa has been going there, all because there "are" cutthroat trout in the stream that it crosses. (even though no matter how long you fished it you wouldnt ever catch one or even see one) We were harrassed the whole time by the same 3 park rangers even though we werent breaking any laws. I work in Medora and there is a few rangers that are tree huggers and will give you a ticket if you even tie your dog to a tree. So I would assume that open carry would just drive them crazy and a reason to hassle you. But like I said thats just my opinion.
 
I prefer to carry concealed....peoples eyes tend to stay in the eyesockets this way and do not pop out at the sight of a gun.
 
I have carried concealed in Yellowstone under the new law. Since you're hitting some serious back-country trails (like I do), you may want your weapon more accessible. When you're hitting the tourist spots I would urge you to carry concealed. Out of sight, out of mind. Also, you can't carry inside any of the federal buildings in Yellowstone.

As nathaniel said: So I would assume that open carry would just drive them crazy and a reason to hassle you Exactly. Depends on the ranger, but why catch any static unnecessarily?

I don't know if you've been to Yellowstone before, but it's massive. If you're back-country camping, you probably won't see many people at all much less rangers.

Pick up some bear-spray too.
 
whether anyone has been to Yellowstone, and did you carry open, or see anyone open carrying while you were there?
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Never saw a gun there yet. I do however see a lot of people from other places and countries. Their culture may be different so be careful. I got a oriental guy all upset when I offered batteries for a camera as hers went dead, he was all angry and red faced cause I offered them to her? Dont know but some there are looking for fun, some are not much fun.

I try to go back often as the landscape is always changing.

Folks get hurt by bears there each year so read up on the bear regs and follow them to the letter and then some.
 
In June, Yellowstone starts to fill up with tourist from all over, all ages.

You can legally carry open but why? Out of courtesy to the timid tourist I recommend you carry concealed if you can legally.
 
Just please be mindful of 'federal buildings'. I went to Mammoth Cave NP last year and every building including cave entrances was posted.
 
This made for good reading, I'm going there in July.
I'll be carring open when I am away from the general public or taking pictures at night, all other times I will carry conceled or not at all. I dont really care if a ranger doesnt like the fact that I have a legal weapon, I just dont want to cause others undue stress during their vacation.
Have fun and let us know how it went.:)
 
Also, you can't carry inside any of the federal buildings in Yellowstone.
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What is and what isn't a "Federal building" at Yellowstone? Obviously, the ranger stations and park headquarters are. What about the concession buildings and the general stores near the campgrounds?
 
What is and what isn't a "Federal building" at Yellowstone? Obviously, the ranger stations and park headquarters are. What about the concession buildings and the general stores near the campgrounds?

That's a good question. When I was there, I assumed all buildings were federal buildings and left my .45 in the car.
 
I haven't been in Yellowstone for a while, but in other parks I have visited since the rule change, everything with four walls was posted.
 
I haven't been in Yellowstone for a while, but in other parks I have visited since the rule change, everything with four walls was posted.
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That would certainly seem to be diametrically opposed to the intent of the legislation, and it might call for an amendment to clarify the intent -- and the definition of what constitutes a Federal building. The structures in which the gift shops and general stores are located may be owned by the Federal government, but they are leased and operated by non-government, for-profit companies and they should not be allowed to disarm the citizenry in the places where they might very well most need to be able to defend themselves.
 
Definition of "federal facility":
18 USC 930
Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons in Federal facilities
(g)As used in this section:
(1) The term “Federal facility” means a building or part thereof owned or leased by the Federal Government, where Federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
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Sorry for the bump, I am going to Yellowstone the end of the month and was wondering if the OP could chime in with any experiences from his trip.
 
I went july 4th weekend. I didn't carry into the stores or cafeterias. I stayed at the Lake Lodge Cabins. They have those silly "No Weapons" signs on the door of the main bldg. Since the question as to what is a federal building is sort of in the gray area, I played it safe. The public facilities are operated by a contractor. I wasn't sure if they are considered US govt facilities in the traditional sense, i.e are they govt owned? Federal property is the last place I want to get into a weapons beef with the authorities, so I will always err on the side of caution.
 
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