AK0.011 M annual visitors

Can I fly a drone at Gates of the Arctic National Park?

No. Gates of the Arctic National Park is under the National Park Service drone ban.

Operating, launching, or landing a drone on or over NPS-managed land is prohibited under 36 CFR § 1.5(f). Penalties: up to 6 months imprisonment and $5,000 fine. Adjacent USFS, BLM, or state land may permit drones — see legal alternatives below.

Above the Arctic Circle. 8.4 million acres of pure wilderness — no roads, no facilities, no formal trails. The least-visited US national park. NPS drone ban applies.

Why drone pilots want to shoot here

Brooks Range mountain views. Arrigetch Peaks. Tundra and aurora.

Where you CAN fly nearby

Adjacent USFS, BLM, and state-managed land that typically permits drone use with appropriate rules.

Adjacent Alaska state-managed land
Limited but available outside the park.

FAQ — Gates of the Arctic National Park

Can I fly drones at Gates of the Arctic?

No. The remoteness doesn't change the rule — NPS drone ban applies.

What about aurora photography?

Aurora photography is typically ground-based. Drone aurora photography is rare due to cold and battery issues; in this park, also illegal.

How is this park accessible?

Bush plane only. Visitor numbers are minimal. The drone ban applies regardless.

Other national parks

Found a legal nearby spot? Check the airspace, weather, and TFRs for the exact address.

Run an airspace check

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.