Drone laws National Parks [March 2023] [Rules & How to Register]

According to the National Park Service (NPS), drone operations are strictly prohibited in all 417 parks under NPS administration, including national trails, rivers, monuments, and historic parks. To fly a drone in these areas, a special use permit is required, but it is only granted for specific activities such as research or search and rescue missions. However, it’s worth noting that some National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, excluding designated wilderness areas, may allow drone flights.

Drones have been spotted in national parks across the United States. National Parks are protected areas and flying a drone in one is illegal. The Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone and Olympic park are just some of dozens of parks where drones have been spotted.

The following document is a compilation of administrative policies and guidelines that apply to all employees demonstrating skill in the operation of drones in National Park, who will be allowed to conduct non-recreational drone use at the discretion of their supervisor.

Drone Laws National Parks

You Must Follow The National Park Service’s Rules

If you plan on visiting a National Park with a drone or any other unmanned aircraft, you must follow the National Park Service’s rules. Drones are banned from all national parks in the United States.

The following is a list of all US national parks that prohibit drones:

Glacier Bay National Park, Denali National Park and Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park (also prohibits air drops), Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (also prohibits air drops), Katmai National Park & Preserve (also prohibits air drops), Kobuk Valley NRA (also prohibits air drops)

National Park Service

You are not allowed to launch, land, or operate drones from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service. This includes all national parks and monuments as well as all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service.

Enter A Park With A Drone 

You are allowed to enter a park with a drone if you plan to take it out of the park before launching it. The National Park Service (NPS) makes it clear that you cannot launch or operate drones from or on lands and waters administered by the NPS. However, there is no regulation preventing visitors from entering parks with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

As long as your UAS:

• Is securely packed away in its original packaging. This means you can’t fly directly from your car into Washington’s Crater Lake National Park, for example—you’ll need to pack your drone inside your vehicle first and then drive into the park before taking off;
• Has all batteries removed if they have removable ones;

Drones And Other Unmanned Aircraft

If you are planning to use a drone for search and rescue, public safety operations or other emergency purposes, you can submit an exemption request to the FAA. The FAA may consider your request if you are operating in support of a federal, state or local agency conducting these types of missions and can show how operation of your unmanned aircraft system is necessary to carry out those missions.

The Ban Applies To All Drones

The Ban Applies To All Drones, regardless of weight and size. The FAA has the authority to regulate airspace, which includes national parks. This makes sense because drones can be dangerous if they get too close to aircraft.

When it comes to national parks, there’s a lot more than just your typical scenic views that you can enjoy with a drone—you can also capture some pretty cool wildlife shots! However, there are some rules you need to follow before flying your drone in a national park:

• You must be at least 16 years old.
• You must have a current Remote Pilot Certification or equivalent training (like an AMA-approved course).
• Your drone cannot weigh more than 55 pounds (~25 kg).
• Your drone cannot fly higher than 400 feet (120 meters).

When Traveling In National Parks

It’s important to know the drone laws in national parks because they are special places. National parks are a special place because they are protected by the government and not used for commercial purposes.

Because national parks are protected by the government, there is a nationwide ban on drones: it’s illegal to fly drones in any national park or recreation area that has been set aside for conservation of its natural resources.

This includes all federally designated wilderness areas, which account for about half of all U.S.-managed lands—and nearly half of all designated wilderness is located within national parks.

Are Drones Allowed In National Parks?

Drones Are Not Allowed In National Park

Drones are banned from national parks and other public lands, including national wildlife refuges, due to their potential impact on wildlife, visitors and employees. Regulations also require that drones be flown at or below 400 feet above ground level (AGL) within the park and below 200 AGL over people or roads.

The Nps Has A Standing Ban On Drones

The National Park Service (NPS) has a standing ban on drones because they’re seen as aircraft. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you want to know if your drone is allowed in any park, check out site

The Nps Issued A Moratorium On Drones

The Nps Issued A Moratorium On Drones in 2014 over concerns they could damage natural and cultural resources. The agency also said drones can interfere with search-and-rescue operations, as well as put people at risk. Anyone caught flying a drone in a national park could be fined up to $25,000.

The Nps Has Also Banned Drones Out Of Safety Concerns

• Drones can interfere with search-and-rescue operations.
• Drones can interfere with helicopter operations.
• Drones can interfere with other aircraft, including commercial airlines and military fighters that fly over national parks.
• Drones can disturb wildlife, causing them to abandon their natural habitat or even get injured by a drone’s spinning blades.

Fine Up To $25,000

• The maximum penalty for a drone violation is $25,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
• The fine is the same as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) violation and can be enforced by any law enforcement agency in any national park.

can you fly drones in national park?

According to the National Park Service (NPS), drone operations are strictly prohibited in all 417 parks under NPS administration, including national trails, rivers, monuments, and historic parks. To fly a drone in these areas, a special use permit is required, but it is only granted for specific activities such as research or search and rescue missions.

However, it’s worth noting that some National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, excluding designated wilderness areas, may allow drone flights. It’s important to be aware that drone regulations can vary at the state and local levels, as well as from park to park within the same park system or city/county.

Conclusion

If you want to fly your drone in a national park, make sure to check with the National Park Service first. They have strict rules about drones, so follow them closely. First of all, most national parks have a ban on drones and other remote-controlled aircraft of any kind.

Drones can be used for many kinds of activities, whether it is for fun or for business. However, when flying drones in national parks, you should always follow federal regulations. Drones have a significant impact on the ecosystem with their noise and air pollution.

Anything that disrupts the environment will affect birds, who are very sensitive to changes in their habitat. Furthermore, drones can easily crash into trees and cause damage and injury to people or animals. Some parks even require a special permit from the National Parks authority to use drones.

Therefore, if you want to use drones in National parks, you should follow rules carefully so as not to harm the natural resources of the park, or disrupt visitors when they are trying to enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (drone Laws National Parks)

Who Regulates Unmanned Aircraft In National Parks?

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for the management of drone use within national parks. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a government agency, regulates all unmanned aircraft in the United States.

How Do I Request A Permit For Aerial Videography Or Photography In A National Park?

The following are the steps you need to take to request a permit.

• Determine what kind of commercial filming or photography you need to do. The FAA requires all commercial drone operators to register with them and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). For more information on this, see How do I get my Remote Pilot Certificate?
• Contact the park in question and find out if they offer permits for aerial videography or photography. If so, ask about their process for issuing them and how long it takes to process requests
• Submit any required information such as insurance documents, proof of registration with the FAA, etc., along with your application

Is It Illegal To Fly A Model Aircraft In National Parks?

• No. It’s not illegal to fly a model aircraft in national parks (provided you follow the rules of the park). If you’re interested in flying your drone, make sure it fits within the National Park Service’s guidelines.
• Yes! The Federal Aviation Administration has strict regulations on where and when you can fly drones. In short: if you want to fly your drone, make sure it’s legal; don’t break any laws.