What is Drone rules in national parks?
Drones are prohibited across all 423 units of the US National Park Service. The ban applies to launching, landing, and operating drones on or over NPS land. Adjacent USFS land usually permits drones with rules.
On June 19, 2014, the NPS issued Director's Order #105 prohibiting the launching, landing, and operation of unmanned aircraft on or over NPS-administered land. The policy applies to all 423 units — national parks, monuments, recreation areas, historical parks, lakeshores, seashores, scenic rivers, and others.
There is no recreational permit. Commercial filming permits exist for specific NPS units but are limited in scope and typically require pre-coordinated production schedules.
Violation penalties: up to 6 months in prison and a $5,000 fine under 36 CFR 1.5(f). NPS rangers actively enforce the ban; multiple high-profile cases have resulted in arrests.
Adjacent federal land — USFS National Forests, BLM lands — usually permits drones with safety and conservation rules. Verify boundary carefully; many NPS units abut National Forest, and the boundary is often signed but not fenced.
What this means for pilots
Don't fly in or over a national park. Period. The ban is well-known but persistently violated; rangers know to look for drones and enforcement is real. If you want a Yosemite-like shot, find an angle from National Forest land outside the park boundary.
FAQ
Can I fly outside the boundary and let the drone drift in?
No. The ban includes operation 'on or over' NPS land. The aircraft's location matters, not the operator's.
Are there any NPS exceptions?
Limited commercial filming permits and some scientific research permits exist. Not for recreational or commercial photography.
What about national monuments managed by other agencies?
USFS and BLM-managed national monuments typically follow USFS / BLM rules (drones permitted with rules). NPS-managed monuments follow the NPS ban. Verify the managing agency.
Related terms
FAA regulations change. Verify current rules at faa.gov/uas before relying on this article for flight planning. Altoa is not the FAA.