What Tourists Should Know About Yosemite National Park's Recent Prohibited Item Update

Yosemite National Park has added a brand-new rule to the park's 2025 Superintendent's Compendium: "Within the designated Wilderness and Potential Wilderness Addition portions of the park it is prohibited for any person or group to hang or otherwise affix ... any banner, flag, or sign larger than fifteen square feet ... unless authorized by permit." Because more than 94% of Yosemite is federally designated wilderness, the rule covers nearly the entire park. That means anything larger than roughly a typical beach towel can't be draped from cliffs, trees, or historic structures without getting permission in advance.

The timing of this addition did raise some eyebrows, as the Compendium is dated May 20, 2025 — the same day seven climbers hung a massive trans pride flag high on El Capitan (reportedly the largest ever displayed on the iconic rock, according to the climbers). However, the signature of the park's acting superintendent, Raymond McPadden, is dated just the day after, so it's likely this change was already in motion. Some speculate that the idea first started being considered after the upside-down American flag display on El Capitan months earlier.

"This restriction is necessary to preserve the values of wilderness character in accordance with the Wilderness Act, provide for an unimpaired visitor experience, protect natural and cultural resources in designated Wilderness and Potential Wilderness Addition portions of the park," McPadden wrote. He also said the new rule was a matter of safety for climbers.

If your hike, climb, or camping trip enters designated wilderness (that's almost everywhere outside the Valley floor), this flag ban is in force. So, if you're planning to climb to any of Yosemite National Park's popular viewpoints, you should leave the banner or flag at home unless you want a massive fine. Anyone caught breaking the new regulation could face up to six months in the slammer and a fine of up to $5,000 — double that for groups.

The Compendium leaves a door open for larger displays "authorized by permit," so getting advanced permission is theoretically possible. However, Yosemite hasn't yet published an application process or criteria. So, until there's clarity, plan as though permission will be hard to get. In the meantime, handheld flags are still fine. But fixed displays are not — and that includes piecing together a bunch of small flags, too. The rules specifically say a "combination" that totals more than 15 square feet is a no-go.

If you want to wear a flag on your pack, whether it's for LGBTQ+ pride, Juneteenth, patriotism, or anything else — go for it. The new rule doesn't explicitly ban anyone from waving a flag at Tunnel View or posing with a poster for a quick Instagram shot, however you might draw the attention of rangers tasked with enforcing the rules. It's possible other parks could pass similar regulations, so it's always a good practice to read the rules before you visit — there are quite a few unexpected things you might not realize are banned in national parks aside from large flags. And, as always, remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles to protect these national treasures for future generations.