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In the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Superintendents of each unit in the National Park System have the option to develop specific designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions to address unique management needs of their particular unit. Within the CFR Superintendents are given the authority to amend, modify, relax or make more stringent certain regulations. These park specific regulations are incorporated into a document called the Superintendent's Compendium and are an extension of the CFR. These publications help direct the park's management efforts to best serve the mission of the National Park Service and the needs of visitors. Superintendent's CompendiumSuperintendent’s Compendium of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority. National Park Service IntroductionIn accordance with applicable law and policy, and pursuant to the delegated authorities provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter I (“36 CFR”), the following compendium actions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Fort Davis National Historic Site (NHS). This document is the written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority of the Superintendent, as required by 36 CFR 1.7(b). Violating any provision in this Compendium may result in criminal penalties under 36 CFR 1.3.
This Compendium is organized by the sections in 36 CFR that give the Superintendent discretionary authority to take the compendium action. Written determinations that explain why each compendium action is necessary appear in this document in italicized print.
36 CFR 1.5(a)(1) – Visiting hours, public use limits and closures.Visiting Hours Fort Davis National Park is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, except for federal holidays. Severe winter storms may cause the park to close until such time as it is safe for visitation.
Closures
Fort Davis NHS contains sensitive cultural and natural resources, including vegetation and uneven trails. Use of this area without sufficient light would result in unacceptable resource damage because visitors would not be able to see the boundaries of designated trails and signs explaining the presence of sensitive resources. Further, the narrow and winding topography of Fort Davis is difficult to navigate without sufficient light, which increases the risk that visitors will get lost or injured by wildlife and need to be rescued. Search and rescue efforts in Fort Davis without sufficient light are extremely dangerous for NPS staff, which puts them at risk and decreases the likelihood of a successful mission. 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2) – Designated areas, conditions or restrictions on a use or activity.Conditions or Restrictions on a Use or Activity
This restriction is necessary to prevent unacceptable impacts to park resources and values from the use of uncrewed aircraft. Potential impacts include harming visitors, interfering with rescue operations, causing excessive noise, impacting viewsheds, and disturbing wildlife. This restriction is required by NPS Reference Manual #60: Aviation Management, Chapter 12 – Uncrewed Aircraft Systems.
Carrying a flashlight mitigates this risk and increases the probability that search and rescue operations, if necessary, will succeed.
Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contains terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law. 36 CFR 1.6(f) – Activities that require a permit.The following activities are prohibited without a permit. Criteria for approving or denying permits are established by applicable law (statutes and regulations) and policy. Permitted activities are subject to applicable terms and conditions.
36 CFR 2.1 - Preservation of Natural, Cultural and Archeological Resources36 CFR 2.1(b) – Hiking.
Fort Davis is a fragile, sensitive and unique ecosystem that is easily impacted by visitor use. In the past, dispersed use of the meadow during periods of heavy visitation caused significant adverse impacts to resources, including grasses, sedge, and rush. This has resulted in the need to restrict access to identified trails to allow the rest of the meadow to recover. 36 CFR 2.1(c)(1)-(2) – Designation of natural products for personal use or consumption.The following fruits, nuts, and berries may be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption, in accordance with the noted size, quantity, collection sites and use or consumption restrictions:
The Superintendent has determined that the gathering and consumption of these natural products in the manner allowed will not adversely affect park wildlife, the reproductive potential of a plant species, or otherwise adversely affect park resources. Collection is limited to one handful in order to ensure that enough berries are available to feed grizzly bears that visit these locations. 36 CFR 2.13(a)(1) – Conditions on Lighting or Maintaining a Fire
This action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, and the implementation of management responsibilities. Materials other than approved combustibles – especially fire accelerants and substances prone to wind transport or explosion – creates serious risks when used to light or maintain fires. These combustibles can ignite or spread wildfires that directly threaten people and valuable resources and assets. The burning of manufactured or synthetic materials can contribute to air pollution, contaminate soil and water, and be toxic to humans and the environment. Less restrictive measures, such as an education campaign informing visitors of the risks of using certain materials to light or maintain a fire, would not be commensurate with the substantial risks associated with those activities and could lead to adverse outcomes that might be prevented by establishing an enforceable condition. (a)(1) Pets are not permitted in public buildings or historic structures unless a service animal.
(a)(2) Pets outside of vehicles are required to be always restrained on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length. (a)(3) Leaving a pet unattended in vehicles during warm weather is not permitted. Leaving a pet unattended and tied to an object is not permitted. (a)(5) Pet owners are required to immediately remove and properly dispose of fecal matter, deposited by pets, in an appropriate refuse container. (e) Employees residing in park residences may keep pets in accordance with the park Pet Policy 36 CFR 2.20 – SKATING, SKATEBOARDS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES.
36 CFR 2.35— ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTOLLED SUBSTANCES.36 CFR 2.35(a)(3) – Closures to alcohol.
Fort Davis NHS is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic property that served as a gathering place for early pioneers of the region and military personnel and families. For these reasons, the Superintendent has determined that the consumption and possession of alcohol at the Park is inappropriate given the historic and solemn purpose for which the historical site is maintained. 36 CFR 2.51 – DEMONSTRATIONS AND DESIGNATED AVAILABLE PARK AREAS36 CFR 2.51(c)(2) – Designated location.The following location (see included image) in Fort Davis to the left of the main entrance parking lot, is designated as available for demonstrations. A permit is not required for a demonstration in the designated location if it involves 25 persons or fewer and does not involve structures. 36 CFR 2.52 – SALE OF PRINTED MATTER AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER AND OTHER MESSAGE-BEARING ITEMS.
36 CFR 4.30 – BICYCLES.36 CFR 4.30(i) – All bicycles, both Pedal and Electric bicycles.
Allowing bicycles on roads and parking areas will not create new, adverse impacts to resources or visitors because those locations are already used by motor vehicles and traditional bicycles. 
Assemblies LocationsFort Davis National Historic Site First Amendment Area
B: 2163 ft2 43'x51'x43'x50' |
Last updated: October 29, 2026