Short answer: Do not assume that every outdoor smoking zone in a U.S. national park permits vaping. Each park publishes restrictions and designations. Read signs and the park superintendent’s compendium or ask a ranger before using a device.
How to check the rule
- Find the official website of the specific park you plan to visit.
- Read its current smoking or vaping policy and superintendent’s compendium.
- Check posted signs at facilities, trails, beaches and campsites.
- If the rule is unclear, ask park staff and follow their directions.
For instance, Gateway National Recreation Area’s compendium addresses vaping within its smoking restrictions. Another park’s designations may differ. The previous draft’s blanket list of places where vaping is “completely legal” was not reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Does an outdoor smoking sign automatically allow vaping?
Not necessarily. Check the park-specific rule and signs for electronic cigarettes.
Source: NPS park-specific compendium linked above. Reviewed September 2026.