No, you cannot fly a drone in a U.S. National Park. The National Park Service banned all drone launching, landing, and operation in 2014 through Policy Memorandum 14-05, and the rule applies to every one of the 433 national park units regardless of drone weight, pilot certification, or flight duration. Violators face fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail, and rangers can confiscate your equipment including memory cards.
I have spent the last decade researching and writing about drone regulations, and the national park ban is the most consistently misunderstood rule in our hobby. In this guide, I will walk you through the exact policy, the real penalties, the only legal exception (Special Use Permits), and where you can actually fly legally just outside park boundaries.
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Can You Fly a Drone in a US National Park?
No. Flying a drone in any U.S. National Park is illegal for both recreational and commercial pilots. The ban covers all 433 national park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS), from Yellowstone and Zion to the least-visited sites in Alaska. There are no exceptions based on drone weight, pilot certification, or flight time.
The policy is enforced by park rangers and federal law enforcement. If you launch, land, or operate an unmanned aircraft within park boundaries, you can be cited under federal regulations. The rule has been in continuous effect since June 2014 and shows no signs of loosening.
Understanding Policy Memorandum 14-05
Policy Memorandum 14-05 is the official document that established the nationwide drone ban on NPS lands. Issued on June 19, 2014, it directed all park superintendents to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft in their parks. The policy gives individual superintendents the authority to issue written permits for specific activities, but does not create any general right to fly.
The memo was a direct response to growing public complaints and safety incidents. Between 2010 and 2014, NPS received more than 1,300 reports of drone incursions in parks, including a 2014 incident at Zion where a drone struck a tree and another at Yellowstone where drones harassed wildlife. The policy was designed to give rangers clear enforcement authority, not to create a permit-friendly framework.
Here is what the policy actually says in plain language:
- Launching an unmanned aircraft from a park is prohibited.
- Landing an unmanned aircraft in a park is prohibited.
- Operating an unmanned aircraft while in a park is prohibited.
- Superintendents may issue permits for research, search and rescue, or other approved activities.
What the Ban Actually Covers
The drone ban in national parks covers all three phases of flight: launching, landing, and operating. This matters more than most pilots realize. Even if you never take off inside the park, you violate the rule the moment you land there, even for a precautionary touchdown. And if you are physically standing inside park boundaries while controlling an aircraft, you are operating it in the park, regardless of where the drone itself is hovering.
The ban applies to every category of drone, including:
- Sub-250 gram drones (DJI Mini series, Autel Nano, Hover Air)
- FPV racing drones and cinewhoops
- Fixed-wing and hobby aircraft
- Tethered drones and kites with control lines
- Drones operated under Part 107 commercial certification
It also applies regardless of your pilot certification. Holding a Part 107 remote pilot certificate, passing the TRUST test, or registering your drone with the FAA does not grant you access to fly inside a national park. NPS and FAA jurisdiction overlap, and you must comply with both.
Penalties for Flying a Drone in a National Park
The penalties for flying a drone in a national park are serious and federally enforced. Most violations are charged as misdemeanors under 36 CFR 1.5, which governs the preservation of park resources and values. The maximum penalties for a first offense include a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail, though fines in the $500 to $1,500 range are more common in actual enforcement actions.
Beyond the citation itself, rangers can and do confiscate equipment. In one widely reported case, a pilot received a $5,000 fine and had his drone, controller, batteries, and memory cards taken as evidence. Pilots I have spoken with who were cited said the memory card seizure was the most painful part, because the ranger kept it as evidence even after the case was resolved.
Penalties can escalate significantly if the violation causes harm:
- Wildlife harassment: Additional charges under the Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act, with fines up to $25,000.
- Interference with emergency operations: Federal charges and potential felony classification if your drone forces a helicopter to land or diverts rescue operations.
- Visitor injury or property damage: Civil liability and potential criminal charges.
A 2017 incident at Zion National Park, where a drone forced a helicopter conducting rescue training to make an emergency landing, led to federal charges against the drone operator. That case is a clear example of how quickly a recreational flight can become a federal matter.
Special Use Permits: The Only Real Exception
The only way to fly a drone in a national park legally is with a Special Use Permit (SUP) issued by the specific park superintendent. These permits are not granted for general recreation, tourism, or hobby filming. They are reserved for activities that serve a documented public benefit and where no reasonable alternative exists.
Permits have been issued for the following types of activities:
- Scientific research with university or government sponsorship
- Search and rescue operations coordinated with NPS
- Wildlife monitoring and population surveys
- Documented film production under the new 2025 FILM Act framework (more on that below)
- Archaeological surveys and cultural resource work
The application process is rigorous. You will typically need to submit a written proposal to the park superintendent at least 90 days in advance, provide proof of insurance, agree to specific operating conditions, and pay application fees ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. Approval rates are low. Based on the public reports I have read, most parks issue only a handful of drone permits per year, and many issue zero.
My advice: do not count on getting a permit for a vacation video. Plan to fly outside the park instead.
The DJI Mini Weight Exemption Myth
One of the most persistent myths in the drone community is that sub-250 gram drones like the DJI Mini are exempt from the national park ban. This is false. The NPS drone ban does not include any weight-based exception. The policy applies to all unmanned aircraft, period.
I have seen this misconception on Reddit, Facebook drone groups, and YouTube comments. The confusion likely comes from FAA Part 107 rules, which do not require commercial certification for drones under 250 grams, or from the Remote ID rules that exempt lightweight drones. None of those FAA carve-outs apply to the NPS policy, which is enforced separately by the park service.
If you fly a DJI Mini in a national park, you face the same $5,000 fine and six months in jail as a pilot flying a heavy-lift cinema rig. The drone weight is irrelevant to the citation.
National Parks vs National Forests vs BLM Land
The drone rules in national parks are very different from the rules on nearby federal land. The most common reason pilots get cited is that they assume the rules are the same across all federal lands. They are not.
Here is a clear comparison of where you can and cannot fly:
National Parks (NPS)
All drone launching, landing, and operation is banned. Special Use Permits required for any exception. Enforcement is strict and federal.
National Forests (USFS)
Drones are generally allowed for recreational and commercial use, with standard FAA rules applying. Designated Wilderness Areas within National Forests are off-limits (no drones, no takeoff, no landing). Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may apply near wildfires.
BLM Land (Bureau of Land Management)
Drones are allowed on most BLM land, subject to FAA regulations. Some areas near tribal lands, national monuments, or sensitive habitats may have specific restrictions. Check with the local BLM field office before flying.
State Parks
Rules vary significantly by state. Some states allow drones, others ban them entirely, and many have park-specific restrictions. Always check the state park’s website or contact the park office directly.
Practical tip from my own experience: if you want scenic aerial footage of, say, the Grand Canyon, you can fly legally from adjacent Kaibab National Forest on the South Rim side, or from BLM land near the Desert View entrance. You just cannot launch, land, or stand inside the national park while doing it.
The 2025 FILM Act and Drones in National Parks
The Filming Activities in National Parks Act (FILM Act), signed into law in January 2025, created a new federal framework for commercial filming in national parks. It streamlined the permitting process, capped application fees, and required parks to respond to film permit requests within a defined timeframe. Many drone pilots read this and assumed drones were now legal in parks for commercial filming.
They are not. The FILM Act specifically excludes unmanned aircraft from its streamlined permitting framework. Drones remain subject to the original 2014 ban, and a separate Special Use Permit is still required. The FILM Act is about reducing paperwork for ground-based film crews, not about opening the parks to aerial drone filming.
If you are a professional filmmaker or content creator, this is one of the most important things to understand about the new law. You still cannot launch or land a drone in a national park without a specific drone permit from the superintendent, and those remain rare.
Where to Fly Legally Near National Parks
Just because you cannot fly inside a national park does not mean you cannot capture stunning aerial footage of the surrounding area. In many cases, adjacent federal and state land offers similar scenery with no drone restrictions beyond standard FAA rules.
Here are the places I recommend looking first when planning a trip near a national park:
- Adjacent National Forests: Often border national parks and offer comparable terrain. Example: Gallatin National Forest near Yellowstone, Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon South Rim.
- BLM land: Common in the western US and often unfenced. Confirm with the local field office that you are not near a restricted area.
- State parks: Check the specific park’s drone policy, which is often posted on their website. State rules vary widely.
- Private land with landowner permission: The simplest legal option, especially for hobby pilots.
Always use the B4UFLY app or LAANC authorization before flying near any national park. Even if you are launching from outside the boundary, the airspace above the park may be controlled, and you will need FAA authorization to fly in that airspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you get caught flying a drone in a national park?
You will be cited for a federal misdemeanor, fined up to $5,000, and could face up to six months in jail. Park rangers can also confiscate your drone, controller, batteries, and memory cards as evidence. The most common fines in actual cases fall between $500 and $1,500.
Do all National Parks ban drones?
Yes, all 433 units of the National Park System ban drone launching, landing, and operation. The 2014 Policy Memorandum 14-05 applies uniformly across every park, with no weight, certification, or duration exemptions.
What happens if you go past 400 feet with a drone?
Flying above 400 feet AGL (above ground level) violates FAA regulations under Part 107 and can result in FAA enforcement action, including fines starting at $1,000 and possible suspension of your pilot certificate. The 400 foot limit applies in addition to, not in place of, the National Park ban.
Can I fly a drone at Zion National Park?
No. Drones are banned at Zion, just like all other national parks. The 2017 incident at Zion where a drone forced a rescue helicopter to land is one of the most cited enforcement cases and led to federal charges against the operator.
Can I fly from outside the park boundary and still film inside?
Launching or operating your drone from outside a national park is legal as long as you follow FAA rules and you do not physically enter the park airspace without authorization. Use the B4UFLY app to check for airspace restrictions and obtain LAANC authorization if needed.
Does the DJI Mini weight exemption apply in national parks?
No. The DJI Mini and any other sub-250 gram drone are subject to the same national park ban as heavier aircraft. There is no weight-based exception in Policy Memorandum 14-05, and flying a DJI Mini in a park carries the same penalties as flying a larger drone.
Final Word on Flying Drones in US National Parks
To fly a drone in a US National Park is to risk a federal citation, a $5,000 fine, and six months in jail. Policy Memorandum 14-05 has been in force since 2014 and shows no sign of changing, and the 2025 FILM Act does not exempt drones. If you want aerial footage near a national park, launch from the adjacent National Forest, BLM land, or state park instead. The scenery is often just as good, and your drone will still be in your bag when you get home.