The short answer is no. You cannot fly a drone in any unit of the United States National Park System. This ban has been in place since 2014 and applies to all 400+ sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS), including national parks, monuments, battlefields, seashores, and recreation areas. Violations carry significant fines, and the NPS actively enforces this policy.
If you have been planning a trip to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or Yosemite with your drone packed and ready to fly, you need to understand this restriction and know your alternatives before you go.
Key Rules at a Glance
- All NPS-managed lands: Launching, landing, or operating a drone is prohibited
- Policy basis: NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 (issued June 2014) and 36 CFR 1.5
- Applies to: All unmanned aircraft, regardless of size, weight, or purpose
- Who is affected: Everyone, including recreational flyers, commercial operators, and researchers
- Penalty: Up to $5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment per violation
- Exceptions: Extremely limited; requires a Special Use Permit from the park superintendent
- Enforcement: Active patrols, visitor reports, and confiscation of equipment
Why Are Drones Banned in National Parks?
The NPS ban stems from three primary concerns:
Wildlife Disturbance
Drones can cause significant stress to wildlife. Research has documented elevated heart rates in bears, disrupted nesting behavior in birds, and stampeding in large mammals like bison and elk when drones fly nearby. In Zion National Park, drone activity was observed disturbing peregrine falcon nesting sites before the ban took effect. National parks exist specifically to protect wildlife habitat, and the NPS considers drone noise and presence fundamentally incompatible with that mission.
Visitor Experience
National parks attract hundreds of millions of visitors annually who come seeking quiet, natural experiences. The buzzing of drones disrupts the experience for hikers, campers, and other visitors. The NPS received numerous complaints about drone noise in places like Yosemite Valley and the Grand Canyon rim before implementing the ban. Park managers determined that the recreational interest of drone operators does not outweigh the experience of the much larger number of visitors seeking tranquility.
Safety Risks
Drones operating in areas with steep terrain, thermal updrafts, and large crowds pose collision risks. Incidents involving drones crashing into hot springs at Yellowstone and near cliff edges at the Grand Canyon accelerated the NPS decision. Search and rescue helicopters also operate frequently in national parks, and drone interference with these operations presents a serious safety concern.
The Legal Basis
The drone ban rests on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, issued on June 19, 2014, by then-NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis. This memorandum directed all park superintendents to prohibit launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on NPS-managed lands.
The legal authority comes from 36 CFR 1.5, which gives park superintendents the power to close areas and restrict activities for public safety and resource protection. Individual parks implement this through compendium entries that specifically list drone operations as prohibited activities.
It is important to understand that this is a land management rule, not an airspace rule. The FAA controls airspace, and the NPS controls what happens on the ground. You cannot launch from or land on NPS property, which effectively prevents drone operations within parks even though the NPS technically does not regulate the airspace above.
Penalties and Enforcement
The NPS treats drone violations as a federal misdemeanor under 36 CFR:
- Fine: Up to $5,000 per violation
- Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
- Equipment seizure: Rangers can confiscate your drone and related equipment
- Additional charges: If your drone disturbs wildlife, damages resources, or endangers visitors, additional charges may apply under other federal statutes
Enforcement is real. Rangers actively patrol popular viewpoints and trailheads, and other visitors frequently report drone activity. Several high-profile cases have resulted in significant fines. In 2014, a drone crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone, prompting both a fine and a media firestorm that reinforced public support for the ban.
Social media posts showing drone footage from national parks have also led to enforcement actions. The NPS and public have identified violators through geotagged posts and recognizable park features in uploaded videos.
Can You Get a Permit?
Technically, yes. The NPS can issue Special Use Permits for drone operations in exceptional circumstances. In practice, these permits are extremely rare and are generally limited to:
- Scientific research approved through the NPS research permitting process
- Search and rescue operations conducted by or in coordination with park staff
- Fire management and other emergency operations
- Authorized filming for specific projects that demonstrate a compelling need
The NPS does not issue permits for recreational drone use. Commercial filming permits that include drone operations undergo extensive review and are granted only when the superintendent determines that the footage cannot be reasonably obtained by other means.
If you are a researcher or filmmaker who believes you have a qualifying need, contact the specific park’s permitting office well in advance. The review process can take months.
Where Can You Fly Near National Parks?
The ban applies to NPS-managed lands, but there are often legal flying opportunities nearby:
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands
BLM lands surround many national parks in the western United States. Unlike the NPS, BLM does not have a blanket ban on drones. You can generally fly on BLM land as long as you follow FAA Part 107 rules (for commercial) or recreational flying rules, and there are no site-specific restrictions in place.
BLM lands near popular parks include areas around Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef. These adjacent lands often offer dramatic landscapes comparable to the parks themselves.
National Forests
The US Forest Service (USFS) also does not have a blanket drone ban. Drones are generally permitted in National Forests with some exceptions for designated Wilderness Areas (where they are prohibited) and areas with temporary flight restrictions. National Forests border many national parks and offer excellent aerial photography opportunities.
State Parks and State Lands
State park drone policies vary widely. Some states welcome drone use with basic rules, while others restrict or ban them entirely. Check with the specific state park authority before flying. State trust lands and wildlife management areas have their own separate policies.
Private Land
With the landowner’s permission, you can fly on private land adjacent to national parks. Some ranches and private preserves near popular parks specifically market aerial photography opportunities. Always get written permission and follow FAA regulations regardless of land ownership.
Designated Drone Zones
Some communities near national parks have established areas where drone flying is encouraged. Moab, Utah, near Arches and Canyonlands, has areas on BLM land popular with drone pilots. Gateway towns near other parks may have similar options.
Tips for Getting Great Footage Legally
Even without flying inside park boundaries, you can capture compelling aerial footage of national park landscapes:
Fly from adjacent lands looking toward the park. Many of the most dramatic angles of park features are actually best captured from outside the boundaries. The iconic view of Delicate Arch in Arches National Park can be photographed from BLM land nearby.
Use elevated trailheads on adjacent lands. Forest Service roads and trails on higher elevations surrounding parks can provide launch points with expansive views into park territory.
Maximize golden hour. Early morning and late evening light transforms landscapes. Combine legal flying locations with optimal lighting for the best results. Review our drone photography tips for techniques that elevate your aerial shots.
Check boundary maps carefully. NPS boundaries are not always intuitive. Use the official NPS boundary data, available through the NPS open data portal, loaded into a mapping app to verify your exact position before launching.
Other Protected Lands Where Drones Are Restricted
The NPS is not the only agency that restricts drones. Be aware of these additional restrictions:
- National Wildlife Refuges (US Fish & Wildlife Service): Drones are generally prohibited without a Special Use Permit
- Designated Wilderness Areas: Drones are banned in all federally designated Wilderness Areas, regardless of managing agency
- Military installations: Always prohibited without authorization
- Tribal lands: Each tribe sets its own drone policy; many prohibit them. Always check and get permission
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I launch a drone from outside the park and fly it over park land?
This is a legal gray area. The NPS controls what happens on its land, not the airspace above it (that is the FAA’s jurisdiction). However, launching from just outside a park boundary to intentionally fly over park land is likely to draw enforcement attention and may violate the spirit of multiple regulations. It is not recommended.
What if I see someone else flying a drone in a national park?
You can report it to a park ranger or call the park’s dispatch number. The NPS encourages visitors to report drone activity. Do not confront the operator yourself.
Are there any national parks where drones are allowed?
As of this writing, no NPS unit allows general recreational or commercial drone use. Some NPS sites are considering drone-specific areas, but none have been established. The policy remains a uniform ban across the entire National Park System.
Do the same rules apply in Canada’s national parks?
Parks Canada also prohibits drone operations in national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas without a permit. The rules are similar in intent and enforcement to the US system. Check with Parks Canada for specific requirements if you plan to fly near Canadian parks.
Can I use a drone for accessibility purposes in a national park?
The NPS evaluates accessibility accommodations on a case-by-case basis. If you have a disability-related need that a drone could address, contact the park’s accessibility coordinator to discuss options. However, standard recreational drone use is not permitted as an accessibility accommodation.
Key Takeaways
The drone ban in US National Parks is comprehensive, actively enforced, and unlikely to change in the near future. While this is disappointing for aerial photography enthusiasts, the policy protects wildlife, preserves the visitor experience, and reduces safety risks.
Your best strategy is to plan flights on adjacent BLM lands, National Forests, or private property where you can legally capture stunning footage of the same landscapes. Carry a physical map showing park boundaries, use GPS to verify your position, and always err on the side of caution when flying near any protected area.
The penalties for violating the ban, including fines up to $5,000 and possible equipment confiscation, make the risk clearly not worth it. Respect the rules, explore legal alternatives, and you can still come home with incredible aerial footage from your national park trip.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Drone regulations and park policies can change. Always verify current rules with the National Park Service and the FAA before flying. Last verified: March 2025.