Can I fly a drone at Crater Lake National Park?
The deepest lake in the United States, formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama. Sapphire-blue water and steep caldera walls. NPS drone ban applies.
Why drone pilots want to shoot here
Crater Lake from Rim Drive. Wizard Island. Phantom Ship. The caldera at sunrise.
Where you CAN fly nearby
Adjacent USFS, BLM, and state-managed land that typically permits drone use with appropriate rules.
Umpqua National Forest (OR)
Adjacent USFS land west of Crater Lake. Drones allowed in non-Wilderness areas.
Fremont-Winema National Forest (OR)
East of Crater Lake. Drone-permitted with rules.
FAQ — Crater Lake National Park
Can I fly drones over Crater Lake?
No. The entire caldera is inside Crater Lake NP and the drone ban applies.
What about Rim Drive?
Rim Drive runs along the caldera edge. All park property. Drone ban applies the entire length.
Are there comparable views outside the park?
Crater Lake is geologically unique. No directly comparable views exist on adjacent USFS land — it's a one-of-a-kind landscape.
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.