Key Takeaways
- 🚫 Status: Drones are completely banned in Yellowstone—no exceptions for recreational pilots
- ⚠️ Penalties: Fines up to $5,000, 6 months imprisonment, and equipment confiscation
- âś… Alternatives: Legal flying spots exist on adjacent National Forest and BLM lands
Yellowstone National Park prohibits all drone operations within its 2.2 million acres. Since Policy Memorandum 14-05 took effect in 2014, launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft anywhere in the park has been illegal—and rangers actively enforce this ban.
This guide explains why the ban exists, what happens if you're caught, and where you can legally fly your drone near Yellowstone's stunning landscapes.
Why Are Drones Banned in Yellowstone?
The National Park Service implemented the drone ban for several critical reasons:
- Wildlife disturbance: Drones stress wildlife, particularly during sensitive periods like calving season for bison and elk
- Thermal feature damage: A drone crashed into Grand Prismatic Spring in 2014, potentially damaging the delicate bacterial ecosystem
- Visitor experience: Drone noise disrupts the natural quiet that millions of visitors come to experience
- Safety concerns: With 4+ million annual visitors, the risk of drone-related accidents is significant
- Fire risk: Crashed drones with lithium batteries pose fire hazards in drought-prone areas
What Happens If You Fly a Drone in Yellowstone?
| Violation | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense (recreational) | $1,000-$5,000 fine |
| Wildlife harassment | Up to $5,000 fine + 6 months imprisonment |
| Thermal feature damage | Up to $100,000 fine + felony charges |
| All violations | Drone confiscation possible |
Rangers use spotting scopes and have become adept at identifying drone activity. The park also receives numerous reports from other visitors who notice drone noise.
Legal Drone Flying Near Yellowstone
While you can't fly inside Yellowstone, several nearby areas permit drone operations:
Gallatin National Forest (Montana)
- Borders Yellowstone's north and west entrances
- Drone flying generally permitted on Forest Service land
- Check for temporary fire restrictions and wilderness area boundaries
- Best access points: Big Sky, West Yellowstone (outside town limits)
Caribou-Targhee National Forest (Idaho)
- Adjacent to Yellowstone's west entrance
- Spectacular mountain scenery with legal drone access
- Check wilderness boundaries—drones prohibited in wilderness areas
BLM Lands (Wyoming/Montana)
- Bureau of Land Management areas near park boundaries
- Generally drone-friendly with fewer restrictions
- Use BLM maps to identify specific parcels
Tips for Flying Near Yellowstone
âś… Do
- • Verify land ownership before flying
- • Use apps like OnX Hunt or B4UFLY
- • Respect wildlife even outside the park
- • Check fire restrictions during summer
❌ Don't
- • Fly across park boundaries from outside
- • Assume all forest land permits drones
- • Fly in designated wilderness areas
- • Operate near active wildfires
Can Media or Researchers Get Permits?
The NPS occasionally issues Special Use Permits for drone operations, but approval is extremely rare and requires:
- Demonstrated scientific or educational purpose
- Proof that ground-based alternatives are inadequate
- Detailed operational plan and safety protocols
- Liability insurance (typically $1 million+)
- Application fees and processing time of 60+ days
Commercial filming requests are typically denied. The park's official position is that existing helicopter permits adequately serve media needs.
Alternatives to Drone Footage
If you need aerial imagery of Yellowstone:
- Stock footage: Licensed aerial footage is available from NPS and commercial providers
- Helicopter tours: Several operators offer scenic flights (note: helicopters cannot land in the park)
- Elevated viewpoints: Mount Washburn, Observation Peak, and other trails offer expansive views
- Historical imagery: NPS archives contain extensive aerial photography