Prices are estimates. How we get them
Who controls the ground you launch from, and who controls the air above it, decides whether you can fly. This page covers federal land, state parks in all 50 states, FAA restrictions, Part 107 vs. recreational flying and Remote ID. Every rule links to its source. Rules change often: check the live source and B4UFLY or LAANC before every flight. This is a summary, not legal advice.
2026 changes · Federal lands · State parks (50 states) · FAA restrictions · Part 107 vs. TRUST · Remote ID · Pre-flight checklist
The big three: drones are banned in national parks and national wildlife refuges, and you can never launch or land inside a wilderness area. National forests and most BLM land are open to recreational flying under FAA rules.
| Land type | Rule | Commercial (Part 107) notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| National parks, and NPS-run monuments, seashores, recreation areas, battlefields and parkways | Banned. Policy Memorandum 14-05 tells every superintendent to use 36 CFR 1.5 to ban launching, landing or flying drones on NPS land and water. Breaking the rule is a misdemeanor: up to 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. NPS does not say clearly whether launching outside a park and flying over it is covered, so treat overflight as high-risk. | A Part 107 certificate does not override the ban. The only option is a superintendent-approved special use permit, which is rare. | NPS |
| National monuments | Depends on the managing agency. Monuments run by NPS (Devils Tower, Little Bighorn, Mount Rushmore) are banned. Monuments run by BLM or the Forest Service follow that agency's rules, but BLM warns that special designations such as monuments and wilderness study areas "may differ." Call the local office. | Same as the agency below. | NPS Little Bighorn, BLM fact sheet |
| Wilderness areas (any agency) | No launching, landing or operating from inside. Drones count as "motorized equipment" and "mechanical transport" under the Wilderness Act. The Forest Service discourages flying over wilderness from outside the boundary but does not prohibit it. The FAA asks aircraft to stay 2,000 ft above wilderness. | Same. | USFS UAS FAQ, Custer Gallatin NF |
| National forests and grasslands | Recreational flying is allowed under FAA rules, outside wilderness. Never fly over fires or inside TFRs. Launch at least 100 m from wildlife. Some forests close specific spots; for example, White Mountain NF bans drones in its Forest Protection Areas. | Under the EXPLORE Act, filming needs no permit for crews of 5 or fewer in areas open to the public, using hand-carried equipment only, with no exclusive site use and no resource impact. Crews of 6–8 get a free de minimis authorization; 9+ need a Special Use Permit. The Forest Service treats drones as "tools" with no separate UAS permit. Some forests may ask for $1–5M liability insurance on permitted drone shoots (USFS filming, Stanislaus NF). | USFS UAS FAQ, WMNF regulations |
| BLM land | Generally allowed. BLM controls drones on or just above the ground; the FAA controls the airspace. Launch and land only on designated routes (OHV rules, 43 CFR 8340). Never fly in wilderness. Harassing wildlife is illegal. Monuments, NCAs and WSAs may have their own rules. | BLM says commercial operators "may be subject to additional rules." Some sites require a permit for everyone; for example, the Alabama Hills require a drone permit for all pilots. | BLM fact sheet, BLM Alabama Hills |
| National wildlife refuges (USFWS) | Banned. No launching, landing or flying on refuge land or water (50 CFR 27.34). | Same. | USFWS Nantucket NWR |
| Bureau of Reclamation dams and lands | Utah State Parks' drone form says flights must stay 2,000 ft from Reclamation dams. We could not confirm a single nationwide Reclamation rule, so treat every dam as restricted. | Same. | Utah State Parks drone form |
Allowed = fly under FAA rules (local closures may still apply). Designated areas = only at posted or named sites. Permit = written permission, a registration or a permit is required. Banned = prohibited, apart from rare exceptions. Unclear — check locally = we couldn't find a definitive statewide rule.
Commercial use almost always needs a separate film or special-use permit, even where recreational flying is open.
| State | Status | What the rule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Unclear — check locally | No drone-specific rule in the state park regulations. One rule bans "aircraft of any type" on Gulf State Park lakes. Forever Wild and State Lands tracts require written permission. Call the park. | Alabama park regulations, Ala. Admin. Code 220-2-.125 |
| Alaska | Banned at Chugach SP; other units vary | Drones count as "aircraft" (11 AAC 20.990). Takeoff or landing in Chugach SP is illegal except at Bold Airstrip. | Alaska DNR Parks |
| Arizona | Banned (recreational) | "All recreational drone use is prohibited in state parks." Commercial use is reviewed case by case through a filming permit. | Arizona State Parks FAQ |
| Arkansas | Permit | All UAS use is banned unless the Director approves a Special Use Permit. No official page was reachable, so please confirm. Secondary source: the official page could not be reached, so this is based on a secondary source. Confirm with the park. | Pilot Institute summary |
| California | Allowed | Allowed in state parks, beaches, SHPs, SRAs and SVRAs "except where prohibited by a District Superintendent's posted order." | California State Parks |
| Colorado | Designated areas | §100.C.24: "It shall be unlawful to operate radio-controlled… models, except in designated areas." | CPW Ch. P-1 |
| Connecticut | Banned (license exception) | Prohibited on DEEP lands "unless specifically authorized by the Commissioner in a Special Use License." | Connecticut DEEP |
| Delaware | Permit | A special use permit is required to fly "on or over" any Parks land or water. | Delaware State Parks |
| Florida | Banned | "Launching and/or landing a drone is prohibited… except in very rare circumstances" (62D-2.014(15), F.A.C.). | Florida State Parks FAQ |
| Georgia | Banned (commercial waiver possible) | "Drone operation is prohibited." The Division Director occasionally waives this for professional commercial projects. | Georgia State Parks rules |
| Hawaii | Banned | "The use, launching or landing of drones… is prohibited." | Hawaii DLNR State Parks |
| Idaho | Permit / designated | The park manager may authorize drones (IDAPA 26.01.20.175). Bruneau Dunes has a designated UAV area. | IDAPA 26.01.20, Bruneau Dunes |
| Illinois | Banned at sites checked | Starved Rock: "Drones… are not allowed." Statewide policy is unclear, so ask the site superintendent. | Illinois DNR (Starved Rock) |
| Indiana | Designated areas | Drones may not fly at DNR properties "except at sites designated for that purpose" (312 IAC 8-2-8(i)). | Indiana DNR |
| Iowa | Unclear — check locally | No drone-specific statewide rule; follow park-manager and posted restrictions (IAC 571 ch. 61). | Iowa DNR rules, Drone Authority summary |
| Kansas | Banned | Not permitted on any KDWP park, wildlife area or property (KAR 115-8-13). Drone areas are "in development." | KDWP |
| Kentucky | Permit | "Drone use requires a permit, proof of insurance, and license." | Kentucky State Parks FAQ |
| Louisiana | Allowed | "Personal drone usage is allowed at Louisiana State Park properties." Call historic sites first. | Louisiana State Parks FAQ |
| Maine | Permit | Prohibited without law-enforcement oversight or a Special Activity Permit. | Maine Parks |
| Maryland | Allowed with notice | Operators "must contact the Park Manager prior to flying." | Maryland DNR |
| Massachusetts | Permit | 302 CMR 12.04: no takeoff or landing on DCR property without a Special Use Permit. | Mass.gov DCR, 302 CMR summary |
| Michigan | Allowed with limits | Allowed, but not over Tahquamenon Falls platforms, within 100 yd of historic sites, or for commercial purposes without written permission. | Michigan DNR rules |
| Minnesota | Effectively banned (rare permits) | Landing any aircraft in a park is unlawful, so "operating drones… is not practical." Permits are only for special circumstances. | Minnesota DNR |
| Mississippi | Unclear — check locally | Aircraft need the Executive Director's written permission (rule W.18). Drones are not named but are likely covered. Treat as unclear and call the park before flying. | MDWFP rules |
| Missouri | Allowed (day-use areas) | "No laws prohibiting drones." Keep to main day-use areas; professional or for-sale photos need approval. | Missouri State Parks |
| Montana | Designated / permit | ARM 12.8.816: prohibited unless covered by a commercial or special use permit, or flown in a manager-designated area. | Montana FWP |
| Nebraska | Permit | "Drone use in state parks and wildlife management areas require written permission." | Outdoor Nebraska |
| Nevada | Designated / permit | Prohibited unless in a supervisor-designated area or under a special use permit. | Nevada State Parks FAQ |
| New Hampshire | Banned (takeoff/landing) | "Drone operators are not permitted to take off or land within New Hampshire State Park boundaries." | New Hampshire State Parks |
| New Jersey | Banned (approval exception) | Policy 2.38 prohibits UAS unless the Assistant Director approves (N.J.A.C. 7:2-1.4(b)). | NJDOT UAS FAQ |
| New Mexico | Varies by park | No statewide rule. Superintendents may restrict activities (19.5.2.9C NMAC); drones are banned at Bottomless Lakes and Rio Grande Nature Center. | New Mexico park restrictions, 19.5.2 NMAC |
| New York | Permit | Drone flights "typically require a permit," issued by the regional or park office. | New York State Parks FAQ |
| North Carolina | Banned (permit exception) | Takeoff prohibited; a Special Activity Permit is possible "in very limited circumstances." | North Carolina Parks |
| North Dakota | Permit | Prohibited unless the director or deputy director authorizes it (NDAC 58-02-08-16.1). | North Dakota Parks admin code |
| Ohio | Designated / permission | Prohibited except with the chief's permission or at maintained landing zones (OAC 1501:46-13-11(C)). | Ohio Admin. Code |
| Oklahoma | Permit | "A permit is required for all drone usage." | TravelOK FAQ |
| Oregon | Designated areas (new) | Since Aug 8, 2026, 20 named properties allow drones in designated UAS areas. Everywhere else, including the ocean shore, needs a permit. Commercial use always needs a permit. | OPRD |
| Pennsylvania | Designated areas | Only at six designated sites: Beltzville, Benjamin Rush, Hillman, Lackawanna, Prompton and Tuscarora. | Pennsylvania DCNR |
| Rhode Island | Permit | UAS need "official written permission" (250-RICR-100-00-7, §7.7(E) and §7.22(G)). | Rhode Island regulations |
| South Carolina | Unclear — check locally | "Contact the park… directly." Hunting Island reportedly bans drones. | South Carolina State Parks FAQ, USI summary |
| South Dakota | Allowed | Must comply with FAA and state law (registered, line of sight, under 400 ft, daylight); posted guidelines apply. | South Dakota GFP |
| Tennessee | Permit | "Require written Park Manager approval before flight." The official page blocked access; this text comes from a mirror of it. Secondary source: the official page could not be reached, so this is based on a secondary source. Confirm with the park. | Tennessee State Parks policies |
| Texas | Banned except two cases | Allowed only in Martin Dies, Jr. SP's designated area, or elsewhere with a filming permit. | TPWD |
| Utah | Permit (park-by-park) | Personal-use drone permission form, per park; commercial use needs a SUP. No flights within 2,000 ft of Reclamation dams at Reclamation-owned parks. | Utah drone form, Goblin Valley |
| Vermont | Permit | Even recreational flying needs the Commissioner's written permission (a SUP or License). Low flights over state land, or over anyone using it, are banned "regardless of where the drone was launched." | Vermont FPR procedure (2024) |
| Virginia | Banned | "Drones… cannot be flown in state parks" (4VAC5-30-400). | Virginia DCR |
| Washington | Permit | Needs a remote-controlled aircraft permit from the director or designee (WAC 352-32-130(5)). | Washington State Parks |
| West Virginia | Registration | Register at the superintendent's office first; superintendents can restrict time and place (W. Va. Code §20-5-2). | West Virginia Code §20-5-2 |
| Wisconsin | Designated areas | Prohibited "except where posted for their use" (NR 45.04(1)(c)). | Wisconsin DNR |
| Wyoming | Permit (confirm) | "Drone use allowed with prior written permission from the park superintendent." This comes from a rule-amendment notice; the rules currently in effect date to 2021, so confirm the change was adopted. Proposed rule: the permit language comes from a notice of intent to amend the rules; confirm it was adopted. | Wyoming notice, Wyoming rules |
Even where the land manager allows drones, the FAA controls the air. These restrictions apply everywhere in the country.
| Restriction | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stadiums and sporting events | No drones within 3 NM of a stadium seating 30,000+, from the surface up to 3,000 ft AGL, starting 1 hour before the scheduled event and ending 1 hour after it ends. This covers MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, and major motorsports (NASCAR Sprint Cup, IndyCar, Champ Series). The FAA treats this as a standing restriction. | FAA stadium TFR NOTAM, FAA Public Safety Playbook |
| Concerts, festivals, large gatherings (new) | A new UAS-only TFR type under 49 USC 44812. Law enforcement can request one: 30,000+ people at a qualifying open-air stadium/venue, or 100,000+ at another outdoor venue with a fixed boundary. Requests are due 30 days before the event. The FAA does not publish a standard radius or altitude; check each NOTAM. Without a TFR, Part 107's ban on flying over non-participants still applies. | FAA JO 7210.3 Ch. 20-2 |
| California concerts and amusement parks (new state law) | AB 2113 was signed on Sept 20, 2026 (Chapter 383, Statutes of 2026). It bans unauthorized drone flights within 400 ft of ticketed outdoor entertainment events (1,000+ capacity) and amusement parks, with a $500 fine per violation. Reported start date: Jan 1, 2027. A Part 107 certificate alone does not exempt you. Federal preemption may be challenged; that question is unresolved. | California Legislature bill status, DroneLife, Drone Authority |
| Wildfires | Never fly near a wildfire, whether or not a TFR is posted. Drones force firefighting aircraft to ground. Penalties can exceed $25,000, plus possible criminal charges. | USFS, Custer Gallatin NF, FAA TFRs |
| Military bases, DOJ/DOD sites (14 CFR 99.7) | UAS flights are banned from the surface to 400 ft over designated national-security facilities, including many military bases, some federal prisons, landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore) and nuclear plants. These were set by NOTAM FDC 9/2586 and later NOTAMs. Violations can bring civil and criminal penalties. | FAA critical infrastructure, FAA DOJ/DOD announcement |
| Critical infrastructure (Section 2209) | The FAA published its proposed rule on May 6, 2026. It would let critical-infrastructure owners request drone restrictions, but it is not final as of October 2026. Some states have their own critical-infrastructure drone laws. | FAA critical infrastructure |
| Prisons | Federal: the listed federal correctional institutions sit under 99.7 restrictions (for example FCI Hazelton West Virginia, FCI Florence Colorado, FCI Tucson Arizona). State: many states make it a crime to fly near state prisons; the rules vary. | FAA DOJ/DOD list |
| Airports and LAANC | Class B, C, D and surface Class E airspace require FAA authorization. LAANC gives near-real-time approval below the facility-map ceiling at 726 airports. Part 107 pilots can request "further coordination" above the map altitude (up to 400 ft) up to 90 days ahead. Approved LAANC providers include Aloft, Airspace Link, AutoPylot, FlyFreely and Wing. | FAA LAANC |
| Other TFRs (VIP visits, disasters, security) | Check before every flight. Violations can mean fines and suspension or revocation of your certificate. | FAA TFRs |
If you are paid, or the flight is for a business, it is a Part 107 flight. When in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.
Registration and Part 107 paperwork: drone registration (Part 107 and recreational), Remote ID serial numbers and Part 107 waivers and authorizations are handled on the official FAA DroneZone. Use only that site; look-alike registration sites charge extra fees.
| Part 107 (commercial) | Recreational (49 USC 44809) | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Remote Pilot Certificate (minimum age 16) | Free TRUST test; carry proof |
| Altitude | 400 ft AGL, or within 400 ft of a structure | 400 ft in Class G; controlled airspace needs LAANC or DroneZone |
| Night | Allowed with anti-collision lighting | Follow CBO guidelines |
| Over people | Not over non-participants unless you meet the over-people categories or have a waiver | Not allowed |
| Paid work | Required | Not allowed; if in doubt, the FAA says assume Part 107 |
| Sources | FAA Part 107 | FAA recreational flyers |
Hold a current FAA Part 107 certificate? Join our network and get local flight requests.
Please allow 48 hrs for email replies.
Photos and video of homes, land, job sites and events by a Part 107 certified pilot near you.
Please allow 48 hrs for email replies.
