Key Takeaways
- All 428 National Park Service units ban drones under Policy Memorandum 14-05, with violations carrying up to $5,000 fines
- Exceptions exist for search & rescue, scientific research with permits, and administrative use
- Legal alternatives: Adjacent National Forest land, BLM land, and state parks often allow drone flights nearby
I get it—you bought a shiny new drone, planned a trip to Yellowstone, and imagined capturing sweeping footage of Old Faithful. Then you Googled "can I fly my drone in Yellowstone" and your dreams crashed harder than a Phantom in a geyser. Let's talk about what you actually can and can't do.
Bottom Line: Drones are prohibited in ALL National Parks. This isn't a suggestion—it's federal law. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 and potential criminal charges. Your Instagram shot isn't worth it.
Why Are Drones Banned in National Parks?
In June 2014, the National Park Service issued Policy Memorandum 14-05, banning the launching, landing, or operating of unmanned aircraft in all 428 NPS units. The reasoning:
- Wildlife disturbance: Drones stress wildlife, disrupt nesting, and can cause stampedes
- Visitor experience: Buzzing drones ruin the peace people come to parks to enjoy
- Safety: Drones near cliffs, crowds, and helicopter rescue operations create hazards
- Resource protection: Crashes can start fires and damage sensitive ecosystems
The ban covers the aircraft themselves, not just flight. You can't launch from a park, land in a park, or fly over a park even if you launched from adjacent land.
What Happens If You Fly Anyway?
Rangers actively enforce the drone ban. If caught, you face:
Penalty Structure
In 2023, a YouTuber was fined $3,000 and banned from Zion National Park for 5 years after posting drone footage. The video evidence made prosecution trivially easy. Don't be that person.
Exceptions: When Drones ARE Allowed
The ban has limited exceptions:
Search and Rescue Operations
Emergency services can use drones for SAR operations with superintendent approval. This doesn't apply to recreational pilots.
Scientific Research Permits
Researchers can apply for Special Use Permits for drone operations. The process takes months, requires detailed justification, and is typically granted only to academic institutions or government agencies.
NPS Administrative Use
Park staff can use drones for resource management, wildlife monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.
Commercial Film Permits (Extremely Rare)
Major film productions occasionally receive permits, but approval is rare, expensive, and requires extensive mitigation plans.
Legal Alternatives: Where You CAN Fly
Here's the good news: many national parks are surrounded by land where drones ARE legal.
National Forest Land
Most National Forests allow recreational drone use under FAA rules. Many stunning landscapes exist on Forest Service land adjacent to parks:
- Inyo National Forest (near Yosemite)
- Bridger-Teton National Forest (near Yellowstone/Grand Teton)
- Coconino National Forest (near Grand Canyon)
- San Juan National Forest (near Mesa Verde)
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
BLM manages vast swaths of the American West, and most allows drone use. Some spectacular areas:
- Valley of Fire (near Death Valley NP)
- Red Rock Canyon (near Zion NP)
- Various wilderness study areas
State Parks
Policies vary by state, but many state parks allow drones. Check individual park rules.
Private Property with Permission
Some ranches and lodges near parks offer drone-friendly access with owner permission.
Popular Parks: Nearby Flying Alternatives
| National Park | Nearby Legal Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Grand Canyon | Kaibab National Forest, BLM land near Vermilion Cliffs |
| Yellowstone | Gallatin National Forest, Custer-Gallatin NF |
| Yosemite | Inyo National Forest, Stanislaus NF |
| Zion | BLM land near Kanab, Dixie National Forest |
| Joshua Tree | BLM land surrounding the park |
| Arches | BLM land near Moab, Manti-La Sal NF |
📍 Detailed Park-by-Park Guides
We've created in-depth guides for the most popular national parks, including specific nearby flying locations, GPS coordinates, and local tips:
- Yellowstone Drone Rules 2026 → Complete guide with Gallatin NF alternatives
- Grand Canyon Drone Rules 2026 → Kaibab NF and Vermilion Cliffs options
- Yosemite Drone Rules 2026 → Inyo NF and Eastern Sierra spots
- Zion Drone Rules 2026 → BLM land near Kanab alternatives
- Joshua Tree Drone Rules 2026 → BLM land and Giant Rock area
- Arches Drone Rules 2026 → Moab BLM and Dead Horse Point options
- Death Valley Drone Rules 2026 → Dumont Dunes and Trona Pinnacles
- Glacier Drone Rules 2026 → Flathead NF and Hungry Horse Reservoir
- Rocky Mountain Drone Rules 2026 → Cache la Poudre and Arapaho NF
- Acadia Drone Rules 2026 → Maine coast alternatives
Tips for Flying Near (Not In) National Parks
- Use the B4UFLY app: Check airspace restrictions before any flight. Some areas near parks have TFRs or special restrictions.
- Verify land ownership: Use apps like OnX or Gaia GPS to confirm you're on legal land.
- Don't fly into park airspace: Even from legal land, flying over park boundaries violates the ban.
- Respect wildlife buffer zones: Even on legal land, don't harass wildlife.
- Arrive early: The best light and fewest people are at dawn anyway.
Will the Rules Ever Change?
Probably not significantly. The NPS has shown no indication of relaxing the ban, and multiple proposals to create "drone zones" in parks have been rejected. The wildlife protection and visitor experience concerns remain valid.
Some parks are experimenting with licensed commercial operators for specific events, but recreational use is unlikely to be permitted in the foreseeable future.
The Bottom Line
Yes, it's frustrating. National Parks offer some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, and capturing them from above would be incredible. But the rules exist for good reasons, enforcement is real, and the penalties are steep.
The good news: America has hundreds of millions of acres of public land where drones ARE welcome. Focus your energy on finding those spots rather than risking fines in places where you're not wanted.
For more on where you can and can't fly, see our complete guide to drone no-fly zones and our Remote ID compliance guide.