Can you carry a knife in Yellowstone?

Yes, you can carry a knife in Yellowstone National Park, but the legality depends on how the knife is used and where you carry it. Yellowstone follows federal law and National Park Service regulations, which generally allow visitors to possess knives as everyday tools. Pocket knives, multi-tools, and fixed-blade knives are commonly carried by hikers, campers, anglers, and backcountry users for food preparation, gear repair, or emergency purposes, and simply having one on you is not illegal.

Quick Reference: Carrying a Knife in Yellowstone National Park

Situation	Is It Allowed?	Key Conditions	What Visitors Should Know
Carrying a pocket knife or multi-tool outdoors	Yes	Must be used as a tool, not a weapon	Common for hiking, camping, and food preparation
Carrying a fixed-blade knife outdoors	Yes	Lawful possession and responsible use	Keep it sheathed and discreet
Using a knife to threaten or harm people	No	Illegal behavior	Can result in serious criminal charges
Using a knife to harm or harass wildlife	No	Hunting is prohibited	Wildlife is fully protected inside the park
Carrying a knife into federal buildings	Sometimes restricted	Follow posted signs	Visitor centers and ranger stations may prohibit knives

What matters most is intent and behavior. A knife carried as a tool for camping or outdoor use is treated very differently from a knife carried or displayed in a threatening way. Using a knife to threaten, intimidate, or harm people or wildlife is illegal and can result in serious criminal charges. The National Park Service prioritizes visitor safety, and any behavior that suggests a weapon is being used aggressively will draw immediate enforcement action.

Location also plays an important role. While knives may be carried in most outdoor areas of the park, they are not allowed in certain federal buildings. Visitor centers, ranger stations, and other facilities where weapons are restricted may prohibit knives, especially larger fixed-blade knives. These buildings are clearly marked, and visitors are expected to comply with posted notices. Carrying a knife into a restricted federal facility can lead to confiscation, fines, or other penalties, even if the knife is otherwise legal outdoors.

It is also important to understand that knives may not be used for hunting or harming wildlife. Hunting is prohibited inside Yellowstone, and attempting to kill, injure, or harass animals with any tool, including a knife, is a serious violation of federal law. Even feeding or approaching wildlife while carrying a knife does not change the fact that animals are fully protected within the park.

In practical terms, most visitors who carry a small knife for camping or hiking will never have an issue, as long as it remains sheathed, discreet, and used responsibly. Rangers are accustomed to seeing outdoor gear and tools, and enforcement focuses on misuse rather than possession. Problems typically arise only when knives are displayed unnecessarily, used unsafely, or carried into restricted buildings.

In summary, you can carry a knife in Yellowstone National Park for legitimate outdoor purposes, but it must be used responsibly and kept out of restricted federal buildings. As with many park rules, the guiding principle is simple: tools are allowed, threats are not. Carrying a knife as part of normal outdoor activity is acceptable, but using it in a way that endangers people, wildlife, or violates park regulations is not.