Regulations last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property last revised: May 06, 2024
Table of Contents
GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 13.902 - Subsistence resident zone.

§ 13.903 - Subsistence use of off-road vehicles.

§ 13.904 - Camping.

§ 13.905 - Group size.

§ 13.906 - Unattended or abandoned property.

§ 13.908 - Fishing limit of catch and in possession.

§ 13.910 - Mountain climbing.

§ 13.912 - Kantishna area summer season firearm safety zone.

§ 13.914 - Bicycle use.

§ 13.916 - Use of roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, in-line skates, and similar devices.

§ 13.918 - Sable Pass Wildlife Viewing Area.

§ 13.920 - Wildlife distance conditions.

MOTOR VEHICLE PERMITS

§ 13.930 - Do I need a permit to operate a motor vehicle on the Denali Park road west of the Savage River?

§ 13.932 - How many permits will be issued each summer?

§ 13.934 - How will the superintendent manage the permit program?

§ 13.936 - What is prohibited?

SNOWMACHINE (SNOWMOBILE) OPERATIONS

§ 13.950 - What is the definition of a traditional activity for which Section 1110(a) of ANILCA permits snowmachines to be used in the former Mt. McKinley National Park (Old Park) portion of Denali National Park and Preserve?

§ 13.952 - May a snowmachine be used in that portion of the park formerly known as Mt. McKinley National Park (Old Park)?

§ 13.954 - Where can I operate a snowmachine in Denali National Park and Preserve?

§ 13.956 - What types of snowmachines are allowed?

§ 13.958 - What other regulations apply to snowmachine use?

§ 13.960 - Who determines when there is adequate snow cover?

§ 13.962 - Does the Superintendent have other regulatory authority?

FRONTCOUNTRY DEVELOPED AREA (FDA)

§ 13.970 - Frontcountry Developed Area definition.

§ 13.972 - Camping from April 15 through September 30.

§ 13.974 - Camping from October 1 through April 14.

§ 13.976 - Fire.

§ 13.978 - Pets.

§ 13.980 - Other FDA closures and restrictions.

GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 13.902 - Subsistence resident zone.

The following communities and areas are included within the resident zone for Denali National Park addition: Cantwell (limited to the area within a 3-mile radius of the Cantwell post office as shown on a map available at the park visitor center), Minchumina, Nikolai, and Telida.

[73 FR 67393, Nov. 14, 2008]
§ 13.903 - Subsistence use of off-road vehicles.

Operating a motor vehicle off road is prohibited except by authorized residents as defined in this section when engaged in subsistence uses. For purposes of this section, “authorized residents” means residents of the Cantwell resident zone community as defined by this subpart or those residents of Alaska Game Management Unit 13E holding a permit issued under § 13.440 of this part. Operating a motor vehicle off road for subsistence purposes outside any trail or area designated by this section is prohibited. A map and GPS coordinates of designated trails and areas are available on the park website and at the park visitor center.

(a) Authorized residents may operate vehicles off road only in the following designated areas and trails:

(1) The Windy Creek Trail;

(2) The Cantwell Airstrip Trail;

(3) The Pyramid Trail;

(4) The Cantwell Creek Floodplain Trail/Corridor; and

(5) A trail or area along the Bull River Floodplain designated by the superintendent under paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) The superintendent may designate a trail or area along the Bull River Floodplain Corridor for motor vehicle use by authorized residents if the superintendent determines that the following conditions are met:

(1) Access across adjacent non-NPS lands has been secured;

(2) An NPS-approved trail has been constructed on NPS lands; and

(3) Off-road vehicle use continues to be necessary for reasonable access to the Bull River for subsistence resources by authorized residents.

(c) All of the following are prohibited:

(1) Motor vehicles greater than 5.5 feet wide;

(2) Motor vehicles exceeding 1,000 pounds curb (unloaded) weight;

(3) Motor vehicles that steer by locking or skidding a wheel or track; and

(4) Operating a motor vehicle in violation of § 13.460(d) of this part.

(d) The superintendent may restrict or prohibit motor vehicle use authorized by this section in accordance with § 13.460(b) of this part. The Superintendent will notify the public of the proposed restriction or closure by issuing a press release, posting at local post offices, posting on the park website, posting signs at designated trails or areas if appropriate, use of electronic media, and via other appropriate means.

[73 FR 67393, Nov. 14, 2008]
§ 13.904 - Camping.

Camping without a permit in designated areas in the former Mount McKinley National Park or the Kantishna area is prohibited. A map showing areas where a permit is required for camping is available at the park visitor center and on the park website. Violating terms and conditions of the permit is prohibited.

[73 FR 67393, Nov. 14, 2008]
§ 13.905 - Group size.

(a) The following are prohibited:

(1) Group sizes exceeding 12 individuals on the east side of the park outside the Frontcountry Developed Area as defined by this subpart.

(2) Group sizes exceeding 6 individuals on the west side of the park outside the Frontcountry Developed Area as defined by this subpart.

(b) A map showing the east and west boundaries is available at the park visitor center.

(c) The superintendent may authorize larger groups on a case-by-case basis.

[73 FR 67393, Nov. 14, 2008]
§ 13.906 - Unattended or abandoned property.

Leaving unattended and abandoned property along the road corridor, at Wonder Lake, and in the areas included in the backcountry management plan, is prohibited.

§ 13.908 - Fishing limit of catch and in possession.

The limit of catch per person per day shall be 10 fish but not to exceed 10 pounds and one fish, except that the limit of catch of lake trout (mackinaw) per person per day shall be two fish including those hooked and released. Possession of more than one day's limit of catch by one person at any one time is prohibited.

§ 13.910 - Mountain climbing.

(a) Climbing Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker without a permit is prohibited. The superintendent will establish procedures for applying for a permit. The superintendent may authorize a maximum of 1500 climbers on Mount McKinley from April 1 through August 1 each calendar year.

(b) Violating terms and conditions of the permit is prohibited.

[73 FR 67393, Nov. 14, 2008]
§ 13.912 - Kantishna area summer season firearm safety zone.

What is prohibited? No one may fire a gun during the summer season in or across the Kantishna area firearm safety zone, unless they are defending life or property.

(a) The summer season begins on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and continues through the second Thursday following Labor Day or September 15, whichever comes first.

(b) The Kantishna Area firearm safety zone includes: The Kantishna Airstrip; the State Omnibus Act Road right-of-way; and all public lands located within one mile of the Kantishna Airstrip or the State Omnibus Act Road right-of-way, from the former Mt. McKinley National Park boundary at mile 87.9 to the south end of the Kantishna Airstrip.

§ 13.914 - Bicycle use.

The use of a bicycle is prohibited—

(a) On the Savage River Loop Trail; the Savage Cabin Trail; the Triple Lakes Trail; the McKinley Bar Trail; and the Eielson Area Trails; and

(b) Within the Frontcountry Developed Area as defined by § 13.970 except on park roads, road shoulders, and in public parking areas, or on trails and areas designated for bicycle use by the Superintendent. A map of the designated trails and areas open to bicycle use is available for inspection at the park visitor center and on the park Web site.

§ 13.916 - Use of roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, in-line skates, and similar devices.

The use of roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, in-line skates, and similar devices is prohibited—

(a) On the Savage River Loop Trail; the Savage Cabin Trail; the Triple Lakes Trail; the McKinley Bar Trail; and the Eielson Area Trails; and

(b) Within the Frontcountry Developed Area as defined by § 13.970 except on trails and areas designated by the Superintendent. A map of the designated trails and areas is available for inspection at the park visitor center and on the park Web site.

§ 13.918 - Sable Pass Wildlife Viewing Area.

(a) Entry into the Sable Pass Wildlife Viewing Area is prohibited from May 1 to September 30 unless authorized by the Superintendent.

(b) The Sable Pass Wildlife Viewing Area means the area within one mile of the shoulder of the Park Road between Mile 38.2 and Mile 42.8, excluding the Tattler Creek drainage. A map showing the specific boundaries of the closure is available for inspection at the park visitor center.

[73 FR 3186, Jan. 17, 2008]
§ 13.920 - Wildlife distance conditions.

(a) Bears. The following are prohibited:

(1) Approaching within 300 yards of a bear; or

(2) Engaging in photography within 300 yards of a bear.

(b) Other wildlife. The following are prohibited:

(1) Approaching within 25 yards of a moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, an active raptor nest, or occupied den site; or

(2) Engaging in photography within 25 yards of a moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, an active raptor nest, or occupied den site.

(c) Prohibitions. The prohibitions in this section do not apply to persons—

(1) Within a motor vehicle or a hard sided building;

(2) Within 2 yards of their motor vehicle or entrance to a hard sided building that is 25 yards or more from a bear;

(3) Engaged in legal hunting or trapping activities;

(4) In compliance with a written protocol approved by the Superintendent;

(5) Who are otherwise directed by a park employee; or

(6) In accordance with a permit from the Superintendent.

[73 FR 3186, Jan. 17, 2008]
MOTOR VEHICLE PERMITS
§ 13.930 - Do I need a permit to operate a motor vehicle on the Denali Park road west of the Savage River?

Yes, you must obtain a permit from the superintendent to operate a motor vehicle on the restricted section of the Denali Park road. The restricted section begins at the west end of the Savage River Bridge (mile 14.8) and continues to the former Mt. McKinley National Park boundary north of Wonder Lake (mile 87.9).

§ 13.932 - How many permits will be issued each summer?

The superintendent is authorized, under this subpart, to issue no more than 10,512 motor vehicle permits each year for access to the restricted section of the road. The superintendent will issue the permits for the period that begins on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and continues through the second Thursday following Labor Day or September 15, whichever comes first. Each permit allows one vehicle one entry onto the restricted portion of the Park road.

§ 13.934 - How will the superintendent manage the permit program?

(a) The superintendent will apportion motor vehicle permits among authorized users following the procedures in § 13.55. Authorized users are individuals, groups and governmental entities who are allowed by law or policy to use the restricted section of the road.

(b) The superintendent will establish an annual date to evaluate permit requests and publish that date, along with the results of the annual apportionment, in the superintendent's compendium of rules and orders. The superintendent's compendium is available to the public upon request.

(c) The superintendent will reevaluate the access requirements of any business that is sold, ceases to operate or that significantly changes the services currently offered to the public.

§ 13.936 - What is prohibited?

(a) No one may operate a motor vehicle on the restricted section of the Park road without a valid permit.

(b) No one may use a motor home, camper or trailer to transport guests to a lodge or other business in Kantishna.

(c) No one may transfer or accept transfer of a Denali Park road permit without the superintendent's approval.

SNOWMACHINE (SNOWMOBILE) OPERATIONS
§ 13.950 - What is the definition of a traditional activity for which Section 1110(a) of ANILCA permits snowmachines to be used in the former Mt. McKinley National Park (Old Park) portion of Denali National Park and Preserve?

A traditional activity is an activity that generally and lawfully occurred in the Old Park contemporaneously with the enactment of ANILCA, and that was associated with the Old Park, or a discrete portion thereof, involving the consumptive use of one or more natural resources of the Old Park such as hunting, trapping, fishing, berry picking or similar activities. Recreational use of snowmachines was not a traditional activity. If a traditional activity generally occurred only in a particular area of the Old Park, it would be considered a traditional activity only in the area where it had previously occurred. In addition, a traditional activity must be a legally permissible activity in the Old Park.

§ 13.952 - May a snowmachine be used in that portion of the park formerly known as Mt. McKinley National Park (Old Park)?

No, based on the application of the definition of traditional activities within the park to the factual history of the Old Park, there are no traditional activities that occurred during periods of adequate snow cover within the Old Park; and, thus, Section 1110(a) of ANILCA does not authorize snowmachine access. Hunting and trapping were not and are not legally permitted activities in the Old Park at any time of the year. Sport fishing has not taken place in the Old Park during periods of adequate snow cover due to weather conditions that are adverse to sport fishing, and the limited fishery resources within the Old Park. During periods of adequate snow cover, berry picking is not feasible, and has not taken place in the Old Park. Under the definition, recreational use of snowmachines is not a traditional activity. There are no villages, homesites or other valid occupancies within the Old Park. Access by snowmachine through the Old Park in transit to homesites, villages and other valid occupancies was not lawful prior to the enactment of ANILCA and is available through routes outside the Old Park that have been historically used for that purpose. Therefore, the use of snowmachines is not authorized by section 1110(a) for such travel. Further, Congress did not authorize subsistence activities in the Old Park. In addition, the National Park Service has determined that the use of even a few snowmachines in the Old Park would be detrimental to the resource values of the area. Therefore, because no usage is authorized in the Old Park by section 1110(a) the Old Park remains closed to all snowmachine use in accordance with 36 CFR 2.18.

§ 13.954 - Where can I operate a snowmachine in Denali National Park and Preserve?

You can use a snowmachine outside of the Old Park for traditional activities or travel to and from villages and homesites and other valid occupancies as authorized by 43 CFR 36.11(c), or when lawfully engaged in subsistence activities authorized by § 13.460.

§ 13.956 - What types of snowmachines are allowed?

The types of snowmachines allowed are defined in § 13.1 under “snowmachine or snowmobile”.

§ 13.958 - What other regulations apply to snowmachine use?

Snowmachine use is governed by regulations at § 2.18(a) of this chapter, traffic safety, § 2.18(b) of this chapter, state laws, and § 2.18(d) and (e) of this chapter, prohibited activities; and 43 CFR 36.11(a)(2) adequate snow cover, and 43 CFR 36.11(c) traditional activities.

§ 13.960 - Who determines when there is adequate snow cover?

The superintendent will determine when snow cover is adequate for snowmachine use. The superintendent will follow the procedures in §§ 1.5 and 1.7 of this chapter to inform the public.

§ 13.962 - Does the Superintendent have other regulatory authority?

Nothing in this subpart shall limit the authority of the superintendent to restrict or limit uses of an area under other statutory authority.

FRONTCOUNTRY DEVELOPED AREA (FDA)
§ 13.970 - Frontcountry Developed Area definition.

For purposes of this subpart, the Frontcountry Developed Area (FDA) means all park areas within the portion of the park formerly known as Mt. McKinley National Park (Old Park) not designated as Wilderness by Congress. A map showing the FDA is available at the park visitor center.

§ 13.972 - Camping from April 15 through September 30.

(a) Camping is prohibited in the FDA except in designated campgrounds in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit. Violation of permit terms and conditions is prohibited.

(b) Camping in designated campgrounds in the FDA for more than a total of 14 days, either in a single period or combined periods, is prohibited.

§ 13.974 - Camping from October 1 through April 14.

(a) Camping is prohibited in the FDA except in designated campgrounds and the designated area where the park road is closed to motor vehicle use. A map showing the designated area is available at the park visitor center and on the park Web site.

(b) Camping in the FDA without a permit is prohibited. Violation of permit terms and conditions is prohibited.

(c) Camping in the FDA for more than a total of 30 days, either in a single period or combined periods, is prohibited.

§ 13.976 - Fire.

Lighting or maintaining a fire is prohibited in the FDA except—

(a) In established receptacles within designated campgrounds;

(b) From October 1 through April 14 in that portion of the FDA where the park road is closed to motor vehicle use; and

(c) Under conditions that may be established by the Superintendent.

§ 13.978 - Pets.

Possessing a pet is prohibited—

(a) In the FDA, except in public parking areas, on or immediately adjacent to park roads, or in designated campgrounds;

(b) Within 150 feet of the park sled dog kennels; and

(c) Within 150 feet of the park water system intake facilities.

§ 13.980 - Other FDA closures and restrictions.

The Superintendent may prohibit or otherwise restrict activities in the FDA to protect public health, safety, or park resources. Information on FDA closures and restrictions will be available for inspection at the park visitor center and on the park Web site. Violating FDA closures or restrictions is prohibited.

authority: 16 U.S.C. 3101
source: 71 FR 69333, Nov. 30, 2006, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 36 CFR 13.976