Zone of Death, Uninhabited territory in Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, United States.
The Zone of Death covers a thinly forested section within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park that extends across the state line into Idaho. The terrain consists of open meadows, shallow river courses, and scattered stands of pine trees spread across roughly 50 square miles (130 square kilometers).
A law professor published an article in 2005 revealing a gap in the constitution resulting from the unusual jurisdictional structure of the park. His analysis drew international attention and inspired several fictional works exploring the legal paradox.
The walkable pine forests and meadows remain rarely visited, creating a silence foreign to most areas of the park. Hikers and riders who come here value the remoteness and the chance to go hours without encountering another person.
Visitors reach the area by parking at Cave Falls Campground and continuing on foot or horseback. Trails are lightly marked, so basic navigation skills and maps are needed for safe orientation in the wide open terrain.
A quirk of the American constitution means no functioning jury for federal crimes can be assembled here. This legal detail arises from the overlap of park boundaries and state jurisdictions that do not match.
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