State parks are native points of interest that usher in throngs of tourists every yr. It’s for that purpose that the Nationwide Park Service has such strict rules.
Bearing that in thoughts, are you able to fly a drone in a state park?
You usually can’t fly a drone in a state park, because the Nationwide Park Service prohibits it. Nonetheless, the legal guidelines differ by state, so all the time contact the state park you want to go to if the foundations are unclear.
This information will take you state by state and element whether or not you’ll be able to function a drone in its state parks. Don’t miss it!
Are you able to fly a drone in Alabama state parks?
Alabama has no state drone legal guidelines, and thus, utilizing a drone in a state park shouldn’t be outlawed.
Nonetheless, we strongly warning you to succeed in out to the park in query about its drone coverage earlier than you arrive along with your UAV in tow.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Alabama
Are you able to fly a drone in Alaska state parks?
The Alaska Division of Pure Sources prohibits drone utilization in Chugach State Park apart from plane coming into or exiting Daring Airport in Anchorage.
You would possibly be capable of function in different state parks, however contact first and ask.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Alaska
Are you able to fly a drone in Arizona state parks?
Business pilots will need to have a allow to make use of a drone in an Arizona state park; permits are solely issued for information, publicity, or promotions. You’ll additionally want insurance coverage.
All business operations that don’t match the above and all leisure operations are banned.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Arizona
Are you able to fly a drone in Arkansas state parks?
In accordance with 2018’s Arkansas State Parks – State Park Regulation, a pilot should acquire written permission earlier than utilizing a drone in a state park.
Drones can’t be used voyeuristically or to conduct surveillance.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Arkansas
Are you able to fly a drone in California state parks?
PO 925-19-32, a state drone legislation enacted in 2019, restricts drone use within the Orange Coast District.
You can not use your drone in:
- Bolsa Chica State Seaside
- Corona del Mar State Seaside
- San Clemente State Seaside
- Huntington State Seaside
- Crystal Cove State Park
- San Onofre State Seaside
- Doheny State Seaside
Additional, the Cal. Code Regs. Title 14, §4351 by means of the California Division of Parks & Laws bans “motorized gear (together with UASs)” from wilderness areas, cultural preserves, and pure preserves. Don’t anticipate to have the ability to use a drone in a state park, both.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in California
Are you able to fly a drone in Colorado state parks?
The Colorado State Parks Regulation #100-c.24 prohibits drone use in state parks all through Colorado save for designated areas. This legislation went into impact in 2018.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Colorado
Are you able to fly a drone in Connecticut state parks?
Since 2017, DEEP §23-4-1 by means of Connecticut’s Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety has prohibited drones in “Connecticut State Parks, State Forests, and different lands underneath the management of the Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Connecticut
Are you able to fly a drone in Delaware state parks?
In accordance with the Division of Pure Sources and Environmental Management, you have to have a particular use allow to function a drone over the lands or waters that comprise Delaware’s state parks.
That division has a Division of Parks and Recreation by means of which you’ll be able to request a allow.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Delaware
Are you able to fly a drone in Florida state parks?
The Florida Administrative Code 40C-9.320, handed in 2004, outlaws “all-terrain, off-road, or different motorized automobiles” from Florida District Lands, together with state parks.
The one exception is in case you maintain a Particular Use Authorization.
» MORE: Are you able to fly a drone in Florida State Parks?
Are you able to fly a drone in Georgia state parks?
The Georgia Division of Pure Sources Park Guidelines & Laws dictate that drones can’t function in any historic websites or state parks all through the Peach State.
The one exception is for business drone operation that “could generate income or in different methods assist promote the websites.”
Business drone use of every other kind and leisure drone use is prohibited.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Georgia
Are you able to fly a drone in Hawaii state parks?
The Division of Land and Pure Sources and the Division of State Parks prohibit drone use in state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Hawaii
Are you able to fly a drone in Idaho state parks?
IDAPA 13.01.03, a state legislation by means of the Fisheries and Wildlife Bureaus and the Idaho Division of Fish and Recreation, prohibits drones from operation on these lands exterior of public airstrips, per the foundations in Part 100. Public Use Restrictions.
You would want authorization from a Regional Supervisor, Director, or Fee to make use of a drone in an Idaho state park.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Idaho
Are you able to fly a drone in Illinois state parks?
Illinois has no state or native legislation that mentions drone use particularly in a state park.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to essentially fly your drone in a state park, so please contact the park you want to go to and ask about its coverage.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Illinois
Are you able to fly a drone in Indiana state parks?
IAC 312 8-2-8 (i) permits the Indiana Division of Pure Sources the appropriate to ban drones from state parks.
Business pilots would possibly be capable of function, however the division has the appropriate to refuse any business drone use request.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Indiana
Are you able to fly a drone in Iowa state parks?
Iowa has no state or native legal guidelines banning drones from flying in state parks, however that doesn’t essentially imply it’s allowed.
Contact the state park and query its workers about whether or not you’ll be able to carry a drone right into a state park.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Iowa
Are you able to fly a drone in Kansas state parks?
The Kansas Division of Wildlife & Parks states that:
“UAS use is just permitted inside particular UAS working positioned at some state parks. Using a UAS shouldn’t be permitted exterior of those areas except approved by the KDWPT Secretary…Throughout the working areas, flying over folks, buildings, campgrounds, or seashores is prohibited.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Kansas
Are you able to fly a drone in Kentucky state parks?
You have to have a allow to function a drone in a Kentucky state park, and business pilots will want an extra pictures allow if utilizing their UAVs for pictures functions.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Kentucky
Are you able to fly a drone in Louisiana state parks?
You may function a drone in a Louisiana state park, however with one caveat:
“As a result of nature of historic websites, we ask that you just contact the positioning prematurely of your go to to find out that drone utilization won’t intrude with any actions or particular packages on the time of your go to.
Additional, you can not disrupt historic websites or park guests when utilizing your drone.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Louisiana
Are you able to fly a drone in Maine state parks?
The Maine State Park Coverage from the Bureau of Parks and Lands states that:
“The overall use of drones (UAS) is prohibited in Maine State Parks, Historic Websites, or DACF Boat Launches with out direct oversight and steering of an accredited legislation enforcement company or by the problem of a Particular Exercise Allow.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Maine
Are you able to fly a drone in Maryland state parks?
Maryland State Parks – Business Pictures Coverage by means of the Maryland Park Service and the Division of Pure Sources requires a allow if business pilots want to use a drone in a state park.
Part 1. Normal, B. goes into extra element:
“Business customers or movie manufacturing entities (Consumer) might be required to acquire a allow or, in some circumstances, signal a typical right-of-entry settlement or different relevant license or lease doc, in addition to pay any relevant service fees.”
Business pilots should solely use their drones in public areas of the park.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Maryland
Are you able to fly a drone in Massachusetts state parks?
302 CMR 12.00: Parks and Recreation Guidelines, handed in 2016 by the Massachusetts Departments of Conservation and Recreation, require a particular use allow for drones to function in a state park.
The allow acts as “a written settlement that authorizes an individual to have interaction in makes use of of or actions on DCR property on a particular date and time, which makes use of exceed in any means the widespread use of DCR property, or which can be in any other case prohibited, regulated or restricted.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Massachusetts
Are you able to fly a drone in Michigan state parks?
Order 5.1 State Parks and Recreation Areas prevents drones from working in a state park within the following methods per Part 4.4.
- “In a way that knowingly and deliberately interferes with division workers and their designees performing official duties.
- In a way that interferes with division workers when conducting search and rescues.
- Inside 100 yards of a cultural or historic website or construction.
- Over an occupied seaside space.
- Over an equestrian facility.
- Over a restroom or open-air altering courtroom.
- Over an space topic to an aerial right-of-way.
- For a business function with out first acquiring written permission from a licensed consultant of the division.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Michigan
Are you able to fly a drone in state Minnesota parks?
The Minnesota Division of Pure Sources prohibits drones in state parks, writing:
“The division discourages use of unmanned plane in state parks, state recreation areas, and state waysides due to the impracticality of their operation underneath present rule.
…it’s illegal to land any plane on lands or water completely inside the boundaries of any state park, state recreation space, or state wayside.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Minnesota
Are you able to fly a drone in Mississippi state parks?
Mississippi state legal guidelines don’t particularly point out prohibiting drone use at state parks.
Nonetheless, you need to get in contact with the park you want to go to and ask about its drone use coverage earlier than assuming you’ll be able to fly your UAV.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Mississippi
Are you able to fly a drone in Missouri state parks?
You may function a drone in a Missouri state park, however please respect these guidelines:
“We do ask that you just preserve it to the principle, open day-use areas and be respectful of different guests within the park. If you may be taking images for skilled use or sale, there can be a course of to undergo to realize approval for that.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Missouri
Are you able to fly a drone in Montana state parks?
The Montana Division of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana State Parks and Recreation Board created the Montana State Parks Public Use Guidelines.
In 12.8.816, Unmanned Plane Techniques and Mannequin Plane, (1), drones can’t function in state parks except “use happens inside an space particularly designated for such use by the park supervisor,” the pilot has a particular use allow, or the world is designated for business operation.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Montana
Are you able to fly a drone in Nebraska state parks?
In 2018, the Nebraska Recreation and Parks Fee outlawed drones from state parks, state historic areas, and state recreation areas to keep up the privateness and public security of park guests.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Nebraska
Are you able to fly a drone in Nevada state parks?
Drones can’t function in state parks in Nevada except pilots obtain a particular use allow or function in an space the park supervisor designates for drones.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Nevada
Are you able to fly a drone in New Hampshire state parks?
The New Hampshire State Parks Drone Coverage prohibits drone use in all state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in New Hampshire
Are you able to fly a drone in New Jersey state parks?
The New Jersey State Parks Service Coverage, handed in 2015, bars drones from state parks except the Assistant Director of State Park Service approves it.
Drones should then function underneath the rules of N.J.A.C. 7:2-1.4(b).
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in New Jersey
Are you able to fly a drone in New Mexico state parks?
Drones can’t fly in most New Mexico state parks, however not essentially all. For additional clarification, contact the park you wish to go to and inquire about its drone utilization guidelines.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in New Mexico
Are you able to fly a drone in New York state parks?
OPR-PCD-018 – New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Regulating Unmanned Plane Techniques coverage states that pilots will need to have “prior written approval by the company” and a allow earlier than utilizing a drone in a state park and historic website.
Additional, business pilots will need to have a videography and pictures allow.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in New York
Are you able to fly a drone in North Carolina state parks?
NCAC 13.B 1204 by means of the North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation prohibits drone use in state parks.
Should you want to use a drone at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and have a allow, that’s the one time it’s permissible.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in North Carolina
Are you able to fly a drone in North Dakota state parks?
North Dakota has no particular state or native legal guidelines barring drones from state parks. That stated, you need to nonetheless contact the park and ask earlier than visiting.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in North Dakota
Are you able to fly a drone in Ohio state parks?
No legal guidelines in Ohio point out drones in state parks.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to solely function your drone in a state park in case you have a allow or are in an space particularly designated for the exercise.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Ohio
Are you able to fly a drone in Oklahoma state parks?
Oklahoma permits pilots to function drones in state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Oklahoma
Are you able to fly a drone in Oregon state parks?
Laws from Oregon Parks and Recreation prohibits drone utilization in all state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Oregon
Are you able to fly a drone in Pennsylvania state parks?
The Bureau of State Parks and the Pennsylvania Division of Conservation & Pure Sources permits drone utilization solely in:
- Beltzville State Park
- Benjamin Rush State Park
- Hillman State Park
- Lackawanna State Park
- Prompton State Park
- Tuscarora State Park
Drones can’t function in every other state parks in Pennsylvania.
The coverage provides, “Drone and UAS operators must contact the park workplace of the flying website they plan to go to to make sure compliance with all guidelines and rules.
Please be suggested that your entire park at every of those areas shouldn’t be open to UAS or drone utilization. Solely the designated flying website inside every park is open to UAS use.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Pennsylvania
Are you able to fly a drone in Rhode Island state parks?
Title 250 – Park and Administration Space Guidelines and Laws prohibit drone operations throughout state parks and not using a particular use allow. You may acquire a allow from the Parks and Recreation Division.
Nonetheless, the division points permits solely to skilled filming corporations and information organizations.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Rhode Island
Are you able to fly a drone in South Carolina state parks?
South Carolina has no legal guidelines stopping pilots from accessing state parks with their drones.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in South Carolina
Are you able to fly a drone in South Dakota state parks?
South Dakota Recreation, Fish & Parks permits drones in state parks, however pilots can’t:
- “fly in a way which interferes with the administration of the world or the approved use of the world by others.
- fly in a way that causes critical public inconveniences, annoyance, or alarm to every other particular person, makes unreasonable noise; disturbs any lawful meeting or assembly of individuals, or obstructs vehicular or pedestrian site visitors.
- hunt, kill, take, focus, drive, rally, fire up, spot or find” native sport birds and animals.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in South Dakota
Are you able to fly a drone in Tennessee state parks?
Drones can’t function in Tennessee state parks except a Park Supervisor grants permission or the pilot has a allow.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Tennessee
Are you able to fly a drone in Texas state parks?
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Coverage, within the part Expertise, permits drones in San Angelo and Martin Dies, Jr. State Parks.
You have to request a filming allow in case you want to use a drone commercially in different state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Texas
Are you able to fly a drone in Utah state parks?
You may function a drone, solely recreationally, in:
- Jordanelle State Park
- Wasatch Mountain State Park
- Fred Hayes State Park
- Sand Hole State Park
Lifeless Horse Level State Park permits drones solely between November and February, however you have to have a allow, fly in designated areas, and pay a $10 operational charge.
Nice Salt Lake State Park permits drones if pilots have a allow.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Utah
Are you able to fly a drone in Vermont state parks?
Vermont has no state or native legal guidelines prohibiting drone use in state parks. As all the time, we propose contacting the park and confirming its guidelines.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Vermont
Are you able to fly a drone in Virginia state parks?
Code of Virginia 4VAC5-30-400 bans drones in state park.
The total coverage reads:
“No particular person shall voluntarily land or unlawfully function inside or upon any park, any airplane, distant management mannequin plane, helicopter, unmanned aerial system, drone, balloon, parachute, or different equipment for aviation.
‘Voluntarily’ on this connection shall imply something apart from a compelled touchdown. Rescue and evacuation plane are exempt from emergencies and accredited coaching workouts.”
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Virginia
Are you able to fly a drone in Washington state parks?
WAC 352-32-130, Part (1) outlaws drones in state parks aside from search and rescue mission operations, medical emergencies, legislation enforcement actions, emergency evacuations, and firefighting.
If a business pilot has a director or designee’s permission who’s “related to the operational or administrative wants of the company or state,” they’ll use a drone in a state park.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Washington
Are you able to fly a drone in West Virginia state parks?
Beneath HB 4607, Article 5. Park and Recreation, §20-5-2. Powers of the director with respect to the part of parks and recreation., 16, State Park Superintendents can grant pilots permission to function a drone in a state park.
Pilots should register on the superintendent’s workplace.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in West Virginia
Are you able to fly a drone in Wisconsin state parks?
The Wisconsin Division of Pure Sources prohibits drone use in state parks.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Wisconsin
Are you able to fly a drone in Wyoming state parks?
You may function a drone in a Wyoming state park.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in Wyoming
State parks are an pleasing a part of American tradition, as they offer us memorable journey experiences, even when the parks are in our backyards.
Now that the place you’ll be able to and can’t function a drone throughout US state parks, you’ll be able to fly with confidence!
