Can I fly a drone at Arches National Park?
Over 2,000 natural sandstone arches in 76,000 acres. Delicate Arch is the iconic shot — and one of the most-aggressively-enforced no-drone zones in Utah.
Why drone pilots want to shoot here
Delicate Arch at sunset. The Windows section. Landscape Arch. Devils Garden. Park Avenue.
Where you CAN fly nearby
Adjacent USFS, BLM, and state-managed land that typically permits drone use with appropriate rules.
BLM land surrounding the park
Sand Flats Recreation Area, Dead Horse Point's BLM areas, and adjacent BLM holdings around Moab. Drones allowed with rules.
Dead Horse Point State Park (with permit)
Utah State Parks drone permit; adjacent to Arches and Canyonlands. Spectacular Colorado River canyon views.
Sand Flats Recreation Area (BLM)
Just outside Moab. Drone-permitted with rules.
FAQ — Arches National Park
Can I fly drones at Delicate Arch?
No. Delicate Arch is inside Arches NP. Drone-related citations and arrests are common here due to visitor density and heavy ranger presence.
What about flying outside the park toward the arches?
Adjacent BLM and state land permits drones, but typical iconic framings of named arches are from inside the park boundary.
Where are there other arches I can shoot?
BLM land near Moab has many natural arches outside the park. Sand Flats area and stretches along Highway 313 (toward Dead Horse Point) have arches without the ban.
Is Dead Horse Point State Park a good alternative?
Yes, with Utah State Parks permit. Spectacular Colorado River gooseneck views; Class G airspace; drone-permitted with permit.
Other national parks
Park boundaries can be irregular. Verify the boundary of any alternative location before flying — adjacent USFS / BLM Wilderness areas have their own drone ban under different statute. Altoa is not the FAA or NPS.