Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
National Park Mask Mandate: Do You Have to Wear a Face Mask in National Parks?
President Biden’s Executive Order on “Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing” mandates masks in federal buildings and on federal land, which incudes national parks.
This mask mandate applies to the entire American national park system, from historic sites and national monuments to all U.S. national parks.
The executive order directs federal employees at, as well as visitors to national parks and other federally owned places to “wear masks and maintain physical distance”. All other Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines must also be followed in all national parks.
Specifically, the order said the following:
“To protect the federal workforce and individuals interacting with the federal workforce, and to ensure the continuity of government services and activities, on-duty or on-site federal employees, on-site federal contractors, and other individuals in federal buildings and on federal lands should all wear masks.”
President Biden’s Executive Order
Since most national parks re-opened sometime in late-spring or summer, all parks have encouraged wearing masks, but that was never mandated by the federal government. Now, it is.
After a short period of consideration, on February 2, the National Park Service implemented a mask requirement across all parks and federal buildings.
Face Masks on National Park Trails or in the Backcountry?
Before the February 2 National Park Service press release, it remained unclear whether this mask mandate will be enforced on hiking trails (and/or) in the backcountry.
While this is federal land and, therefore, technically part of the mask mandate in national parks, it seems a bit silly to wear a mask when exploring or camping in a remote backcountry area all by yourself.
Biden’s executive order allows for some exemptions to the federal mask mandate, though. It says that “heads of agencies may make categorical or case-by-case exceptions in implementing [the order]… to the extent that doing so is necessary or required by law, and consistent with applicable law.” The National Park Service has now offered some clarity on the masks in national parks situation.
Face masks are now required in all National Park Service buildings and facilities. They are also mandatory on federal lands where and when it isn’t possible to maintain a physical distance, including overlooks, busy trails and historic homes.
Additionally, individual parks may enforce extra measures and rules, such as one-way trails, temporary area or building closures, and capacity limits.
On the other hand, we can also conclude that there’s no NPS-wide enforced mask requirement in remote national park areas, empty trails and the backcountry. Places, in other words, without (m)any other people and where social distancing is not a problem. (Check individual parks for specific regulations, though.)
“Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing, and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.”
NPS Office of Public Health Director Captain Sara Newman
It’s obvious by now that you should simply wear a face mask whenever you’re around other people. In reality, none of this is too difficult to understand. It’s basic common sense. People who refuse to wear a mask at this point are just being difficult themselves. Mask up!
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Be Responsible, Wear a Mask Whenever Other People Are Around
On its website, the National Park Service says that:
“Working with public health officials and following the latest science and guidance, we can make national parks safer for employees, visitors and partners. We will continue to evaluate operations and make appropriate modifications to visitor services as needed.”
NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge
They also state that they will “continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.”
Although there now is a mask mandate in national parks, you should still check each park’s website for up-to-date information, rules, and opening hours and days.
