How to Scatter Ashes in a National Park: A Responsible & Reverent Guide
Scattering a loved one’s ashes in a national park is an act of both remembrance and reverence. These are sacred landscapes—places where the beauty of nature mirrors the depth of our loss. At BONAVENTURE, we help families honor those they’ve loved by returning them to the wild with care, compliance, and environmental stewardship.
We consult with park rangers to ensure every ceremony minimizes impact on delicate ecosystems while maximizing beauty and meaning for the family. If you choose to scatter ashes yourself, these guidelines will help you do so legally, ethically, and with the quiet grace these places deserve.
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
12 Essentials for Respectful Ash Scattering in National Parks
Scattering ashes in a National Park is a sacred act that calls for thoughtful respect—not just for your loved one’s memory but also for the delicate ecosystems and other visitors who share these treasured spaces. To ensure your ceremony honors all these needs, here are twelve essential guidelines to keep in mind.
1. Avoid High-Traffic Areas
National Parks are beloved by millions, so it’s important to seek out quiet, secluded spots for your ceremony. Avoid busy trails, popular overlooks, and heavily visited landmarks where large crowds gather. Instead, opt for places of solitude such as remote ridgelines, quiet meadows, or less-traveled lakeshores. These settings provide the privacy and peace your farewell deserves without disrupting other visitors’ experiences.
For instance, Mount Rainier National Park offers serene alpine clearings far removed from the main trails and bustling viewpoints, perfect for a reverent scattering ceremony. Choosing less crowded locations also helps protect fragile environments from excess foot traffic and disturbance.
2. Be Discreet
Your ash scattering ceremony is deeply personal and intimate. Select a spot that naturally allows for privacy and reverence. Keep your gathering small and quiet, speaking softly and moving respectfully to maintain the sanctity of the moment.
Discretion protects not only your ceremony but also the experience of other visitors who seek solace or adventure in the park. This quiet reverence honors both your loved one and the shared public space.
3. Scatter Broadly—Do Not Leave a Pile
Instead of depositing ashes in a concentrated mound, gently scatter them in a fine, even layer over the landscape. This approach allows the ashes to blend naturally with soil and vegetation, minimizing any potential disruption to native plants and soil chemistry.
Leaving a pile can alter the natural environment and may cause harm, so scattering broadly honors both your loved one and the health of the ecosystem.
4. Leave No Trace—No Markers or Mementos
While it’s tempting to leave flowers, stones, plaques, or other memorial items, National Parks strictly prohibit these objects because they can damage fragile habitats and disrupt natural processes.
Respect the Leave No Trace principles by letting the landscape itself serve as the memorial. The rustle of leaves, the flow of a stream, or the whisper of mountain wind can hold memory more powerfully than any manmade object.
5. Avoid Inland Waterways
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates ash scattering in inland waters like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs very strictly. Scattering ashes directly into these waters often requires special permits or may be prohibited entirely.
If you desire a water ceremony, scattering in the ocean is an option—but even then, a separate EPA notice is required to comply with the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA).
For a legally compliant ocean scattering, consider BONAVENTURE’s Hawaiian Ash Scattering or Puget Sound Bioluminescence packages, which follow all regulatory requirements and offer breathtaking marine settings.
6. Respect Other Visitors
Remember, National Parks are shared spaces for all to enjoy. Move quietly, yield the right of way to hikers and wildlife watchers, and avoid blocking trails or viewpoints during your ceremony.
Being courteous to others preserves the park’s tranquil atmosphere and ensures everyone can connect with nature’s peace.
7. Time Your Visit for Privacy
Plan your ceremony during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or weekdays, to avoid crowds. These quieter times offer a more peaceful experience and greater freedom to linger and reflect without interruption.
Seasonal timing can also matter; some parks see far fewer visitors in spring or fall, providing more solitude.
8. Check Park-Specific Regulations
Each National Park has its own rules, permit requirements, and designated scattering areas. It’s critical to review the official park website or speak with a park ranger before your visit to ensure full compliance.
BONAVENTURE handles permits for all our National Parks ceremonies to ensure your farewell follows every legal guideline. For more information, see the NPS Permit to Scatter Ashes.
9. Mind the Wind
Wind can carry ashes unpredictably, potentially sending them toward visitors or sensitive areas. Position yourself downwind of others and scatter ashes close to the ground to maintain control.
Choosing a calm day or sheltered spot can also help keep your ceremony respectful and focused.
10. Keep Group Size Small
Smaller gatherings reduce environmental impact, help keep your ceremony intimate, and minimize disturbance to other visitors. A close circle of family or friends allows for a personal, heartfelt farewell.
If you’re planning a larger event, consider multiple ceremonies or locations to maintain a respectful park experience.
🔗 View National Park Memorialization Policy →
11. Choose a Meaningful Season
Scattering ashes during a season your loved one cherished adds a personal layer of resonance. Autumn’s fiery foliage, spring’s blooming wildflowers, or winter’s serene quiet all bring unique beauty and symbolism to the farewell.
BONAVENTURE’s National Parks packages are timed to coincide with peak seasonal beauty for an especially poignant tribute.
12. Photograph with Care
If you wish to capture moments from your ceremony, be mindful not to reveal exact locations in your photos. Sharing detailed images publicly can encourage over-visitation and damage to sensitive sites.
Keep photos private or generalized to protect these sacred spaces for future generations.
Looking for more beautiful places to scatter Ashes? Check out our Guide to Scattering Ashes in All 50 States
Ash Scattering in America’s National Parks: A Tribute Among the Timeless Wonders of Nature
For families seeking a meaningful way to honor a loved one, scattering ashes in a National Park is a profound gesture—one that ties a life well-lived to some of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet.
There are few places that evoke as much wonder and reverence as the National Parks of the United States. From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone National Park to the dramatic landscapes of the Badlands and the towering peaks of Grand Teton, these natural wonders represent the enduring beauty and timelessness of our planet.
What could be a more fitting tribute to a loved one’s life and legacy than a farewell in one of these extraordinary locations?
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
Why Choose a National Park for Ash Scattering?
🌲 A Legacy Rooted in the Earth
America’s National Parks are protected forever. By scattering ashes in these sacred spaces, families create a lasting connection—one that links a loved one’s memory to landscapes that will endure for generations.
Beauty Beyond Words
From glacial-carved valleys and alpine meadows to ancient forests and desert spires, each park offers its own mood and message. Whether your loved one found joy in hiking, photography, solitude, or wide-open spaces, there’s a park that can reflect their spirit.
♻️ Eco-Friendly and Spiritually Rich
Ash scattering in a National Park avoids the environmental burden of traditional burial, while also offering deep emotional resonance. It's a return to the elements—earth, wind, water, and sky—that celebrates the cycle of life. For more on environmental and spiritual aspects, read our Are Ashes Bad Luck? blog.
Explore BONAVENTURE’s National Park Ash Scattering Destinations
We offer curated, unaccompanied scattering ceremonies in select National Parks and beyond. Each tribute is personalized and fully permitted, so you can rest assured your loved one’s farewell is both legal and ethical.
Yellowstone National Park
A place of ancient geothermal power and untamed beauty—ideal for a tribute embracing the mystery and magnitude of life.Glacier National Park
Known as the "Crown of the Continent," Glacier offers crystalline lakes, alpine peaks, and profound peace.Grand Teton National Park
Towering mountains, reflective lakes, and open skies create a majestic setting for remembrance.Badlands National Park
Otherworldly formations and layered rock echo timelessness and quiet drama.Mount Rainier National Park
With summer wildflowers and glacier views, Rainier’s serenity is a sanctuary for reflection and renewal.Zion National Park
Dramatic red rock cliffs and desert landscapes offer a vivid, spiritual backdrop.Olympic National Forest
Lush rainforest and rugged coastline for a deeply peaceful farewell.
Legal Considerations and Best Practices for Scattering Ashes in National Parks
Scattering ashes in National Parks requires a special use permit from the National Park Service. BONAVENTURE secures this on your behalf.
📝 Helpful Link: NPS Permit to Scatter Ashes
General Guidelines:
Scatter at least 100 yards from trails, roads, and water sources
Use only biodegradable containers
Choose areas that minimize environmental disruption (bare rock, forest floor, etc.)
Avoid highly trafficked or ecologically sensitive zones
BONAVENTURE ensures full compliance with these regulations so your loved one’s farewell is both legal and respectful.
When to Plan a National Parks Ash Scattering Ceremony
Each park has its own ideal scattering season:
Yellowstone: Late spring to early fall (geysers active year-round)
Glacier: Summer months (June–September) for accessible trails
Grand Teton: Late summer for alpine blooms and vivid skies
Badlands: Fall and spring for milder temperatures and sweeping views
Mount Rainier: Late July to early August during peak wildflower bloom
Planning Tip: Weekdays and early mornings often offer greater solitude and privacy.
Start Planning Your National Parks Ash Scattering Ceremony Today
Let BONAVENTURE guide you through a compassionate, respectful farewell that honors your loved one amid America’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Visit DestinationScattering.com to explore packages and start your journey.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah-Marie Sherbon is a writer, mother, and a co-founder of BONAVENTURE, a destination ash scattering service devoted to helping families say goodbye in places that still feel sacred.
Her reverence for the wild was shaped over years in the national parks—kayaking through the rugged archipelago of Isle Royale, hiking beneath the emerald ballet of light in Mount Rainier’s rainforest, and breathing in the wildflower-sweetened stillness of Yellowstone’s hidden places. Today, she draws on those experiences to guide families toward tributes rooted in beauty, memory, and return—because some goodbyes deserve a view that takes your breath away.
FAMILY LEGACY IN THE NATIONAL PARKS
Bonaventure was born from generations spent walking the wild edges of this country—serving as park rangers, guides, and stewards of America’s most sacred landscapes. Together, we’ve planned ceremonies for royalty, navigated avalanches with radios slung over our shoulders, and stood beneath the northern lights waiting for the hush before dawn.
Our family has nearly a century of combined experience in the National Parks. We've climbed peaks, captained sailboats, and led thousands of guests through these extraordinary places. BONAVENTURE is our way of passing that reverence on—crafting custom tributes that honor each life with beauty, excellence, and care.
But through it all, what’s endured is story. The stories of those who came to these places to remember. To return. To let go.
We created BONAVENTURE to offer something worthy of that final chapter: a farewell not rushed or transactional, but reverent. Custom tributes crafted with intention. Ash scatterings carried out with park permission, environmental care, and deep personal respect.
We are foremost a family of storytellers. And in the story, the ending is what matters most.
For National Park Scattering: Permits & Resources
If you're considering a National Park as your scattering site, be sure to follow proper procedures. BONAVENTURE handles permits for our services, but families should be aware of:
