GLACIER
Circular of General Information
1936 		NPS Logo

Rules and Regulations
[BRIEFED]

THE park regulations are designed for the protection of the natural beauties as well as for the comfort and convenience of visitors. The complete regulations may be seen at the office of the superintendent and at ranger stations. The following synopsis of the rules and regulations is for the general guidance of visitors, who are requested to assist in the administration of the park by observing them.

Fires.—Fires are the greatest menace to the forests of Glacier National Park. Build camp fires only when necessary and at designated places. Know that they are out before you leave them. Be sure your cigarette, cigar, pipe ashes, and matches are out before you throw them away. During periods of high fire hazard, camp fires are not permitted at nondesignated camp grounds.

Camps.—Camping is restricted to designated camp grounds. Burn all combustible garbage in your camp fire; place tin cans and unburnable residue in garbage cans. There is plenty of pure water; be sure to get it. Visitors must not contaminate watersheds or water supplies.

Natural Features.—The destruction, injury, or disturbance in any way of the trees, flowers, birds, or animals is prohibited. Dead and fallen wood may be used for firewood. Picking wild flowers and removing plants are prohibited.

Bears.—It is prohibited and dangerous to feed the bears. Do not leave foodstuffs in an unattended car or camp, for the bear will break into and damage your car or camp equipment to secure food. Suspend foodstuffs in a box, well out of their reach, or place in the care of the camp tender.

Dogs and Cats.—When in the park, dogs and cats must be kept under leash, crated, or under restrictive control of the owner at all times.

Fishing.—No license for fishing in the park is required. Use of live bait is prohibited. Ten fish (none under 6 inches) per day, per person fishing is the usual limit; however, in some lakes the limit is 5 fish per day and in others it is 20. Visitors should contact the nearest district ranger to ascertain the fish limits in the lakes. The possession of more than 2 days' catch by any person at any one time shall be construed as a violation of the regulations.

Traffic.—Speed regulations: 15 miles per hour on sharp curves and through residential districts; 35 miles per hour on the straightaway. Keep gears enmeshed and out of free wheeling on long grades. Keep cutout closed. Drive carefully at all times. Secure automobile permit, fee $1.

Rangers.—The rangers are here to assist and advise you as well as to enforce the regulations. When in doubt consult a ranger.


Forest Fires

Forest fires are a terrible and ever-present menace. There are thousands of acres of burned forests in Glacier National Park. Most of these "ghosts of forests" are hideous proofs of some person's criminal carelessness or ignorance.

Build camp fires only at designated camp sites. At times of high winds or exceptionally dry spell, build no fires outside, except in stoves provided at the free auto camps. At times of extreme hazard, it is necessary to restrict smoking to hotel and camp areas. Guests entering the park are so informed, and prohibitory notices are posted everywhere. Smoking on the highway, on trails, and elsewhere in the park is forbidden at such times. During the dry period, permits to build fires at any camp sites other than in auto camps must be procured in advance from the district ranger.

Be absolutely sure that your camp fire is extinguished before you leave it, even for a few minutes.

Do not rely upon dirt thrown on it for complete extinction.

Drown it completely with water.

Drop that lighted cigar or cigarette on the trail and step on it.

Do the same with every match that is lighted.

Extreme caution is demanded at all times.

Anyone responsible for a forest fire will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

If you discover a forest fire, report it to the nearest ranger station or hotel.




Events
OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

The heart of a territory so vast it was measured not in miles but degrees, the site of Glacier National Park was indicated as terra incognita or unexplored on most maps even as late as the dawn of the present century. To its mountain fastness had come first the solitary fur trader, the trapper, and the missionary; after them followed the hunter, the pioneer, and the explorer; in the nineties were drawn the prospector, the miner, and the picturesque trader of our last frontier; today, the region beckons the scientist, the lover of the out-of-doors, and the searcher for beauty. Throughout its days, beginning with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Glacier country has been a lodestone for the scientist, attracted from every corner of the earth by the combination of natural wonder and beauty to be found here. A chronological list of important events in the park's history follows:

1804-5Lewis and Clark Expedition. Meriwether Lewis reached a point 40 miles east of the present park. Chief Mountain was indicated as King Mountain on the expedition map.
1810First definitely known crossing of Marias Pass by white man.
1846Hugh Monroe, known to the Indians as Rising Wolf, visited and named St. Mary Lake.
1853Cutbank Pass over the Continental Divide was crossed by A. W. Tinkham, engineer of exploration party with Isaac I. Stevens, Governor of Washington Territory. Tinkham was in search of the present Marias Pass, described to Governor Stevens by Little Dog, the Blackfeet chieftain.
1854James Doty explored the eastern base of the range and camped on lower St. Mary Lake from May 28 to June 6.
1855Area now in park east of Continental Divide allotted as hunting grounds to the Blackfeet by treaty.
1872International boundary survey authorized which fixed the location of the present north boundary of the park.
1882-83Prof. Raphael Pumpelly made explorations in the region.
1885George Bird Grinnell made the first of many trips to the region.
1889J. F. Stevens explored Marias Pass as location of railroad line.
1891Great Northern Railroad built through Marias Pass.
1895Purchase of territory east of Continental Divide from the Blackfeet Indians for $1,500,000, to be thrown open to prospectors and miners.
1901George Bird Grinnell published an article in Century Magazine which first called attention to the exceptional grandeur and beauty of the region and need for its conservation.
1910Bill creating Glacier National Park was signed by President Taft on May 11. Maj. W. R. Logan became first superintendent.
1932Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park dedicated.
1933Going-to-the-Sun Highway opened to travel throughout its length.
1934Franklin D. Roosevelt first President to visit Glacier National Park.

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Last Updated: 20-Jun-2010