The Top 10 National Parks for Ash Scattering
Why choose a National Park to scatter ashes?
There are three reasons our team is passionate about National Parks ash scattering: First, it’s a sacred place set aside for generations that’s always going to be safe for your loved one’s ashes. Second, our nation’s National Parks were set aside because they are some of the most beautiful places on planet earth. Finally, these locations are beautiful places for loved ones to remember the person that they cherished.
Discover the best national parks for ash scattering, including quiet locations, permit guidance, and trusted destination options across the United States, with geo locations.
Choosing a national park for ash scattering is not about finding the most famous view. It is about finding a place that feels steady, timeless, and capable of holding memory with care. It’s also about honoring your loved one in a place that reflects them. Because our National Parks have so much variety there is a place that reflects every spirit, whether your loved one was an adventurer, an old soul, someone that loved the peace of the sea, or a loved one whose best memories were always at high altitude.
Ash Scattering with Our Family Team
Sarah-Marie Sherbon is a storyteller at heart and a guide for families honoring the lives of their loved ones. With a passion for preserving memory through nature, she founded Bonaventure to provide dignified, personalized, and environmentally respectful ash scattering services in some of America’s most beautiful and iconic landscapes.
Through Bonaventure, Sarah-Marie helps families navigate the emotional and practical aspects of ash scattering, offering guidance, inspiration, and expertise to create ceremonies that are both personal and timeless. She believes every individual deserves a resting place that mirrors the beauty, significance, and values of their life.
Call Today to Learn More: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Ash Scattering in Yellowstone National Park
Raw, elemental, and endlessly alive
Yellowstone feels like the earth in conversation with itself. Steam rises from the ground, rivers carve deep canyons, and wide valleys stretch far beyond the horizon. Ash scattering here often feels like a return to something ancient and ongoing.
Families often choose an unaccompanied scattering through Bonaventure’s Yellowstone National Park destination so that permits and environmental care are handled properly.
Recommended scattering areas
• Yellowstone River overlook near Hayden Valley – 44.6236, -110.4584
Late spring through early fall. Moderate mobility. Wide open views and wildlife presence.
• Lamar Valley river corridor pullouts – 44.9153, -110.2032
Early morning or dusk. Easy roadside access. Soft light and grasslands.
• Firehole River meadow edges – 44.4970, -110.8607
Summer. Minimal walking. Gentle water movement and quiet steam.
Bonus quiet spot
High meadow just east of Dunraven Pass. Wind carries sound away and crowds are thin.
Helpful reading: Ash Scattering in Yellowstone National Park
Ash Scattering in Mount Rainier National Park
Steady, sacred, and watchful
Mount Rainier rises with a presence that feels grounding. Snowfields, wildflower meadows, and old growth forests create a calm, contemplative setting.
Explore Mount Rainier ash scattering options with Bonaventure for a respectful and permitted experience.
Recommended scattering areas
• Paradise Valley meadow margins – 46.7853, -121.7346
Mid July through September. Paved access. Wildflowers and sweeping views.
• Reflection Lakes shoreline pullouts – 46.7706, -121.7467
Early morning in late summer. Minimal walking. Glass like water reflection.
• Sunrise area forest edge trails – 46.9142, -121.6417
Late summer. Moderate walking. High elevation calm and cooling air.
Bonus quiet spot
Subalpine ridge beyond the main Sunrise loop. Feels intimate and removed.
Helpful reading: Ash Scattering at Mount Rainier National Park
Ash Scattering in Olympic National Park
Where forest, mountain, and sea breathe together
Olympic holds rainforest, peaks, and coastline in one living system. Many families are drawn to the idea of ashes becoming part of forest, river, and sea.
View Olympic National Forest ash scattering destinations.
Recommended scattering areas
• Hoh Rain Forest riverbank clearings – 47.8605, -123.9348
Year round with best access spring through fall. Easy walking. Moss, water, and deep quiet.
• Hurricane Ridge meadow edges – 47.9694, -123.4984
Best summer. Paved access. Big sky and distant peaks.
• Lake Crescent western shoreline – 48.0541, -123.7895
Best summer mornings. Minimal walking. Still water and mountain reflection.
Bonus quiet spot
Old forest spur trail off Sol Duc Road. Fern covered ground absorbs sound completely.
Related experience: Whale Trail off Ruby Beach
Ash Scattering in Glacier National Park
Wild, alpine, and profoundly humbling
Glacier offers alpine lakes, sharp peaks, and a sense of clarity that feels rare.
Explore Glacier National Park ash scattering options.
Recommended scattering areas
• St. Mary Lake eastern shoreline – 48.7471, -113.4334
Late summer. Easy pullout access. Water, peaks, and long horizon lines.
• Logan Pass meadow edges – 48.6969, -113.7180
July through early September. Boardwalk access. High alpine stillness.
• Two Medicine Lake quiet coves – 48.4867, -113.3724
Summer. Minimal walking. Soft water and sacred feel.
Bonus quiet spot
Upper Two Medicine trail pullout beyond main parking. Visitors thin dramatically.
Helpful reading: Honoring a Loved One at Glacier National Park
Ash Scattering in Grand Teton National Park
Clean lines, cold rivers, and open sky
Learn about Grand Teton National Park ash scattering.
Recommended scattering areas
• Snake River overlook pullouts – 43.8345, -110.5882
Late summer and fall. Easy roadside access. River sound and mountain walls.
• Jenny Lake eastern shore trail segments – 43.7545, -110.7280
Early morning. Moderate walking. Stillness before boat traffic begins.
• Willow Flats overlook – 43.8746, -110.6445
Dawn or dusk. Minimal walking. Wide valley and wildlife movement.
Bonus quiet spot
Small ridge above Oxbow Bend away from the road. Light moves slowly here.
Helpful reading: Ash Scattering in Grand Teton National Park
Ash Scattering in Zion National Park
Stone, silence, and deep time
Learn about Zion ash scattering destinations.
Recommended scattering areas
• Kolob Canyons pullouts – 37.4553, -113.1996
Spring and fall. Easy access. Far fewer visitors than main canyon.
• Pa’rus Trail river edges – 37.2010, -112.9864
Early morning. Flat and accessible. Water and canyon walls soften sound.
• East Rim overlook pullouts – 37.2131, -112.9006
Fall. Minimal walking. Expansive views and wind.
Bonus quiet spot
Upper Kolob terrace at sunset. Feels removed from time entirely.
Notes on Shipping Ashes:
For families who need to ship cremated remains, the United States Postal Service is the only carrier permitted to do so. Many families use the official USPS Cremated Remains Shipping Kit to ensure ashes are transported safely and compliantly.
Ash Scattering in Rocky Mountain National Park
High air and quiet strength
Learn about Rocky Mountain National Park ash scattering.
Recommended scattering areas
• Moraine Park meadow edges – 40.3550, -105.5855
Summer and early fall. Easy access. Open space and wildlife.
• Trail Ridge Road pullouts – 40.4370, -105.7609
Summer season. Minimal mobility required. Above treeline stillness.
• Sprague Lake shoreline – 40.3137, -105.6417
Early morning. Flat trail. Water reflection and calm.
Bonus quiet spot
High tundra slope beyond Forest Canyon overlook. Wind carries everything away.
Helpful reading: Ash Scattering in Rocky Mountain National Park
Ash Scattering in Badlands National Park
Quiet, stark, and unexpectedly tender
Explore Badlands ash scattering destinations.
Recommended scattering areas
• Sage Creek Basin pullouts – 43.8360, -102.4242
Year round. Easy roadside access. Open land and deep silence.
• White River Valley overlooks – 43.7367, -102.5211
Spring and fall. Minimal walking. Soft light and layered earth.
• Notch Trail overlook area – 43.7497, -102.5031
Early morning. Moderate walking. Wide horizon and still air.
Bonus quiet spot
Backcountry overlook north of Sage Creek Road. Sound disappears completely.
Ash Scattering in Devil’s Tower National Monument
Ancient, vertical, and reverent
Explore Devil’s Tower ash scattering destinations.
Recommended scattering areas
• Belle Fourche River access points – 44.5905, -104.7083
Late spring through fall. Easy access. Water and open grassland.
• Prairie loop trail edges – 44.5900, -104.7147
Early morning. Flat walking. Monument presence without crowds.
• Red Beds Trail quiet sections – 44.5844, -104.7159
Summer. Moderate walking. Earth tones and soft wind.
Bonus quiet spot
Low prairie rise east of the monument boundary. Feels spacious and grounded.
Ash Scattering in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Living earth and ocean breath
Explore Hawaii ash scattering destinations.
Recommended scattering areas
• Coastal lava field overlooks – 19.3030, -155.9825
Year round. Minimal walking. Ocean wind and horizon.
• Kilauea Iki trail edges – 19.4194, -155.2372
Dry season. Moderate walking. Steam, forest, and renewal.
• Chain of Craters Road pullouts – 19.2887, -155.2055
Year round. Easy access. Volcanic landscape and sky.
Bonus quiet spot
Remote lava shelf beyond marked viewpoints. Feels like standing at the edge of creation.
Scatter Ashes Like a Park Ranger, Official guidance:
Notes on Scattering Ashes Legally:
National Park Service memorialization and permit info
EPA sea burial info: burial at sea guidance
How to Choose the Most Beautiful Spot to Scatter Ashes
Yellowstone National Park
Elemental, vast, and alive
Yellowstone feels like the earth in conversation with itself. Steam lifts from the ground, rivers carve deep canyons, and wide valleys stretch without interruption. Ash scattering here often feels like a return to something ancient and ongoing.
Families often choose an unaccompanied scattering through Bonaventure’s Yellowstone National Park destination so that permits and environmental care are handled properly.
Quiet places families are drawn to
River bends far from boardwalks, early morning overlooks along the Yellowstone River, and meadow edges where wildlife moves through without ceremony.
Helpful reading
Learn more about ash scattering in Yellowstone National Park and park specific guidance.
Mount Rainier National Park
Steady, watchful, and reverent
Mount Rainier rises with a presence that feels grounding. Snowfields, wildflower meadows, and old growth forests create a sense of calm that many families find deeply reassuring.
Explore Mount Rainier ash scattering options with Bonaventure for a respectful and permitted experience.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Subalpine meadows at first light, forested pullouts away from visitor centers, and ridgelines where clouds move slowly across the mountain.
Helpful reading
Read more about ash scattering at Mount Rainier National Park and seasonal considerations.
Zion National Park
Light filled stone and transformation
Zion’s canyon walls shift color as the sun moves, creating a sense of intimacy even in a grand landscape. Ash scattering here often feels quiet and inward.
Learn about Zion ash scattering destinations offered through Bonaventure.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Upper canyon pullouts away from shuttle routes, sandstone shelves that catch morning light, and lesser traveled side canyons where sound softens naturally.
Glacier National Park
Still water and high country
Glacier offers alpine lakes, sharp peaks, and a sense of clarity that feels rare. Scattering ashes here often becomes a moment of stillness rather than release.
Explore Glacier National Park ash scattering options.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Smaller alpine lakes outside peak hours, forested shorelines, and overlooks where water reflects sky without interruption.
Helpful reading
Learn more about honoring a loved one at Glacier National Park.
Olympic National Forest and Coast
Forest, mountain, and ocean together
Olympic holds rainforest, peaks, and coastline in one living system. Many families are drawn to the idea of ashes becoming part of forest, river, and sea.
View Olympic National Forest ash scattering destinations.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Moss covered forest clearings, coastal stretches with wide horizons, and places where tide and weather shape the moment.
Related experience
Some families also explore the Whale Trail off Ruby Beach for a deeply ocean centered farewell.
Grand Teton National Park
Clean lines and open sky
The Tetons rise sharply and without hesitation. Ash scattering here often feels deliberate and grounded.
Learn about Grand Teton National Park ash scattering.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Wide valley edges, early morning overlooks, and lakeshores when the peaks reflect clearly in still water.
Helpful reading
Read more about ash scattering in Grand Teton National Park.
Badlands National Park
Perspective and deep time
The Badlands reveal layers shaped by wind and weather over millions of years. Scattering ashes here offers perspective and honesty.
Explore Badlands ash scattering destinations.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Eroded ridgelines away from overlooks, open plains at dusk, and places where silence feels expansive rather than empty.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Elevation and release
High meadows and long horizons give this park a feeling of breath and space. Many families describe scattering ashes here as a moment of lifting.
Learn about Rocky Mountain National Park ash scattering.
Quiet places families are drawn to
Alpine tundra away from trailheads, overlooks reached early in the day, and open areas where sky dominates the view.
Helpful reading
Explore ash scattering in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Special Natural Experiences Beyond National Parks
Some families choose moments tied to seasonal or elemental events rather than fixed landscapes.
• Bioluminescence in Puget Sound for nighttime ocean scattering
• Monarch Migration for remembrance tied to return and renewal
• Sandhill Crane Migration for flight and movement
• Hot Air Balloon Ash Scattering for a farewell carried by wind
Important Things to Know About Scattering Ashes in National Parks
• Most national parks require permits for ash scattering
• Ashes must be fully dispersed and not left visible
• Scattering should be discreet and away from trails and waterways
You can review official guidance through the National Park Service memorialization and permit information.
For sea based scattering, families may also review EPA guidance on burial at sea.
