If you’ve ever camped in a national park, you know one of the biggest draws is the natural peace and quiet. But a recent video posted by the Instagram page @touronsofyellowstone shows just how fast that peace can be shattered. Amplified music in national parks—How low can you go?
Amplified music in national parks–a DJ in Grand Teton?
In this case, the noise didn’t come from a loud generator or rowdy campers. Rather, it was a man who wheeled a full DJ setup to Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park and started cranking up the volume.
The man, wearing a white shirt and dancing in the video, set up his booth right in front of one of the park’s most iconic views: the Snake River winding beneath the Grand Tetons. The Instagram post read:
“I’ve never seen anyone set up a DJ booth in a National Park. I don’t think there is a specific rule against it other than the noise factor (for now at least). Just when you thought you had seen it all….”
According to the person who sent in the footage, the man “was bumping tubes at Schwabackers (sic)”—a slangy way of saying the music was loud and thumping. The man filming didn’t just record the spectacle. He also confronted the “DJ,” who responded with an even more unusual excuse.
“This dude set up a DJ booth and was bumping tubes at Schwabackers (sic). When we confronted him, he said Ansel Adams visited him in a dream and told him to play there, then proceeded to play MLK Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech as he carted off.”
If you’re not familiar, Ansel Adams was a famed black-and-white landscape photographer who worked hard to protect national parks—not disrupt them with music performances.
Internet explodes: “Where are the rangers?”
Reactions from campers, RVers, hikers, and national park fans poured in across social media—and few were amused.
Instagram user @laynieroland asked a question many others were thinking:
“I just want to know if he was arrested.”
User @bassoonerthanlater didn’t mince words, simply commenting:
“Jail.”
Some took a sarcastic tone, wondering why no wild bison wandered by to put a stop to the noise. But many others zeroed in on what they saw as a bigger problem—a lack of enforcement in the parks, especially when it comes to noisy or disruptive visitors.
User @anthonycar13 wrote:
“So it appears that the enforcement is so bad that a person can set up a DJ booth and noise pollute with zero repercussion. Where are the rangers? Where is the enforcement for all of the laws being broken and posted here regularly? These are legitimate questions and clear video evidence of violations.”
Many commenters also called out the growing trend of playing loud music in public places—whether it’s a national park, a beach, or a campground. To many long-time RVers, the rise of Bluetooth speakers, outdoor party setups, and what some call “disrespectful sound pollution” is a growing frustration.
“Maybe we’ll just camp somewhere else”
Beyond the outrage, some viewers said these kinds of incidents are starting to affect their travel choices.
Several Instagram users and commenters said they’re now thinking twice about visiting crowded parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Instead, they’re opting for lesser-known public lands or more remote campgrounds where people are less likely to bring big speakers or DJ booths.
As one commenter summed it up: “We go to the parks to hear the wind in the trees and the birds on the river—not some guy’s party playlist.”
What’s the official word on amplified music in national parks?
Just what is the official word on jamming with amplified music in national parks? The federal Code of Regulations doesn’t mince words. “Operating an audio device, such as a stereo, Bluetooth speakers, radio, or musical instrument in a manner which is unreasonable and impacts park users is prohibited by law.” (36 CFR § 2.12)
What’s unreasonable? The detail says “[Operating] … an audio device, such as a radio, television set, tape deck or musical instrument, in a manner: (i) That exceeds a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet; or, if below that level, nevertheless; (ii) makes noise which is unreasonable, considering the nature and purpose of the actor’s conduct, location, time of day or night, purpose for which the area was established, impact on park users, and other factors that would govern the conduct of a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances.”
It doesn’t get much plainer than that.
If you’re traveling in your RV this summer and planning a stop at Grand Teton or another national park, remember: Quiet hours aren’t just for campgrounds. Federal rules prohibit “unreasonable noise” anywhere in the park—day or night—especially when it impacts other visitors. And yes, that includes open-air DJ sets.
RELATED
- Man flies drone in Yellowstone, gets grounded by rangers and ‘cowboy’
- Humorous public safety video laughs at ‘tourons’
- Instagram photo filter warns tourists when they’re too close to wildlife
- Stupid crooks and attorneys: Lake Mead rock formation vandals finally caught
- Why are so many tourists stupid?
RVT1220b
“You can’t fix stupid” but duct tape lots and lots of duct tape can muffle it
Handcuffs and a ride to jail would also help muffle the noise as well.
The Epitome of a narcissistic mind.
I hope you’re referring to the “DJ” and not to Bill, CP.🤔 Have a good evening. 🙂 –Diane aka B.S.
Bill is far to gracious a man to remotely imply he feels any sence of self importance. Kind of like me…. LOL.
Happy trails.
👍😉 Have a good night, CP. 😀 –Diane
😇
🤣 –Diane
Just as I think we’ve reached peak narcissism, I come across stories like this.
Thank you for the “interesting” news, Russ and Tina! Y’all got all kinds out west!?! Is there any clarity as to whether he was arrested, or any charges lodged against him? Even with no law enforcement present, seems the video can be used to find and charge the guy. Well, this is certainly a remarkable event. Have a great week and safe travels!
Certainly an odd story. But, the reactions to are predictable. Throw him in jail! Or one hinted at kidnapping using duct tape. How have we been reduced to this? Imagine instead calmly engaging with this person to highlight why this is problematic. And then, if no results, finding a ranger to deal with. A fine is reasonable. Jail and beyond is barbarous.
I wonder how long the DJ played his loud music?
And, for the social media wonks declaring they’re going to avoid Yellowstone (and its crowds), fearing that DJs will be setting up next at other iconic NP’s, their loss; they probably don’t have the means to go anyways, just wanted to complain on the social media bandwagon.
Last year I dumped Trailer Life after Marcus morphed it into Wild Sam, a glossy fashion rag written by 20-something hipsters. One of the items they kept pushing were giant Bluetooth speakers, literally the last thing the wilderness needs.