![]() National Park Service ![]() In accordance with applicable law and policy, and pursuant to the delegated authorities provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 (“36 CFR”), the following compendium actions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Fort Larned National Historic Site (FOLS). 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. The compendium actions in this document apply in addition to all other laws that apply to lands and waters administered by the NPS within the boundaries of Fort Larned National Historic Site. These include:
lease contact the site Superintendent at Fort Larned National Historic Site if you have any questions or comments about the Superintendent’s Compendium. NPS regulations in 36 CFR 1.4 define certain terms that are used in 36 CFR. Other sections in 36 CFR may define terms that are used in those sections. To the extent any terms defined in the CFR are used in this Compendium, those definitions apply. In addition to terms defined in the CFR, the following terms used in this compendium are defined as follows: Day Use Area: Any area consisting of or adjacent to paved parking lots, buildings, or toilet facilities that are open to the general public. Uncrewed Aircraft: A device that is used or intended to be used for flight without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce. Walkway: Sidewalks, paths, trails, or hard-surfaced areas that are closed to the use of bicycles and motorized vehicles. 36 CFR 1.5 – CLOSURES AND PUBLIC USE LIMITS.36 CFR 1.5(a)(1) – Visiting hours, public use limits and closures.Visiting Hours:
Public Use Limits:
Restrictions are necessary to prevent unacceptable impacts to park resources and values and to protect and preserve historic structures and furnishings. Closures:
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 Policy Memorandum 14-05 dated June 19, 2014
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 contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law. 36 CFR 1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT36 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 2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION36 CFR 2.2(d) Areas are closed to the viewing of wildlife with the use of an artificial light:
36 CFR 2.4 – Possession of Weapons
36 CFR 2.10 – CAMPING AND FOOD STORAGE.36 CFR 2.10(a) – Permits, designated sites or areas, and conditions for camping.
36 CFR 2.11 – PICNICKING.
The picnic area is a public use area and is intended as a first come first served use for schools, visitors, etc… For these reasons, the reserving or holding of tables has the potential to create user conflicts and is prohibited. The Parade Ground is central to, and in full view from, all historic structures, roads and trails. Picnicking in this area can negatively affect the historic setting and view shed for which the park is managed and has the potential to impact the visitor experience. 36 CFR 2.13 – FIRES
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. 36 CFR 2.13(a)(2) The following restrictions are in effect for the use of stoves, or lanterns:
The park closes at 5:00 pm daily, unless closed for weather or certain holidays. As such, campfires and/or the general use of fire is prohibited with the exception of park sponsored events because it has the potential to escape and damage natural and cultural resources and pose risks to adjoining property. 36 CFR 2.15 – PETS
Pets must be leashed to protect all users and resources. For the safety of pets, they must not be left unattended or alone inside a vehicle due to fluctuating/extreme weather conditions. Tying pets to natural or manmade features has the potential to damage them. 36 CFR 2.21 – SMOKINGThe following portions of the park, including identified buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking as noted:
For the safety of visitors and staff, smoking is prohibited to prevent secondhand smoke within nonsmoker user groups as well as the perception of secondhand smoke, and to preserve and protect the cultural and natural resources of the park during times of high fire danger.
36 CFR 2.22 – PROPERTY36 CFR 2.22(A)(2)
36 CFR 2.35 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.CFR 2.35(a)(3) – Closures to alcohol.
The park is listed in the national Register of Historic Places as a historic property. Efforts are made to interpret the buildings in a historically accurate manner. For these reasons, and to comply with Federal and State Laws, to prevent user conflict and to protect historic objects and structures, the Superintendent has determined that proposed consumption and possession of alcohol within the historic site will be reviewed by the Superintendent through the Special Park Uses process. 36 CFR 2.51 – DEMONSTRATIONS AND DESIGNATED AVAILABLE PARK AREAS36 CFR 2.51(c)(2) – Designated location.
The designated locations are in prominent locations near the entrance to the park and to the visitor center and will allow individuals and groups to conduct demonstrations in a manner that will allow for effective communication of speech and other protected activities. At the same time, the designated locations leave ample space for visitors to enter and leave the park safely and for the NPS to conduct administrative activities such as interpretive events. 36 CFR 2.52 – SALE OF PRINTED MATTER AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER AN DOTHER MESSAGE-BEARING ITEMS.
The designated locations are in prominent locations near the entrance to the park and to the visitor center and will allow individuals and groups to conduct demonstrations in a manner that will allow for effective communication of speech and other protected activities. At the same time, the designated locations leaves ample space for visitors to enter and leave the park safely and for the NPS to conduct administrative activities such as interpretive events. 36 CFR 4.30 – BICYCLES.36 CFR 4.30(i) – Electric bicycles.
Allowing electric 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. Electric bicycles provide a recreational opportunity for visitors who want to ride a bicycle but might not otherwise because of physical fitness, age, or convenience. Class 3 electric bicycles, which allow the motor to assist pedaling up to 28 mph, would create unacceptable risks to visitor safety on roads and parking areas in the park due to potential conflicts with heavier and faster motor vehicles, and with other electric bicycles and traditional bicycles, which travel at slower speeds. Accidents that occur at higher speeds increase the risk of serious injury or death. IV. Public NoticeCCTV UseIn accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Reference Manual 9 (RM-9), notice is hereby given that Fort Larned National Historic Site may use Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security camera monitoring. The NPS’s use of CCTV for law enforcement and security purposes and will only be to visually monitor public park areas and public activities where no constitutionally protected reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Such CCTV use – which will have adequate privacy and First Amendment safeguards – will be to help ensure public safety and security; facilitate the detection, investigation, prevention, and deterrence of terrorist activity; help ensure the safety of citizens and officers; help assist in the proper allocation and deployment of law enforcement and public safety resources; and help facilitate the protection of the innocent and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals. This policy does not restrict the official use of CCTV in government administrative areas, including administrative buildings, jail holding facilities, revenue collection sites, etc., where the government may record/monitor its facilities. For example, the government may perform unrestricted video/audio recording at revenue collection points (entrance stations, visitor center counters, etc.). This policy does not restrict the use of an Audio/Visual Recording Device (AVRD) in patrol vehicles or officer-worn recording devices used by commissioned rangers. Operation of CCTV cameras will be in accordance with NPS and Department policy. No person will be targeted or monitored merely because of race, religion, gender, sex, disability, national origin, or political affiliation or views. Nothing in this policy statement is intended to create any rights, privileges, or benefits not otherwise recognized by law. ![]() |
Last updated: September 19, 2025