Drone laws per state for road-trippers

Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 governs all US drone operations. Key baseline rules: drones over 0.55 lb (250g) must be registered with FAA ($5/3 years, faadronezone.faa.gov). Drone must remain within visual line of sight (VLOS). Max altitude 400 ft AGL. Cannot fly over people unless they're under shelter. Cannot fly within 5 mi of airports without prior LAANC authorization.

Remote ID (broadcast of drone identity) became required September 16, 2023 for all drones requiring registration. Most 2020+ drones are firmware-compliant.

• FAA registration: drones > 250g, $5/3 yr, faadronezone.faa.gov
• Max altitude: 400 ft AGL
• VLOS required (visual line of sight)
• No flight over uncovered people
• 5 mi airport buffer or LAANC authorization required
• Remote ID required since Sep 2023

Per 36 CFR §1.5, drones are PROHIBITED in ALL National Park Service units (including national parks, monuments, recreation areas, seashores). Violation fine: up to $5,000 + 6 months in jail. NPS enforcement is aggressive.

If you want drone footage of an NPS landmark: fly from public land OUTSIDE the park boundary (typically BLM or USFS adjacent). The drone may not cross the NPS boundary at any altitude.

State park drone rules range from 'permitted with general restrictions' (Texas, Wyoming, Idaho) to 'prohibited without permit' (California, New York, Massachusetts) to 'permitted in designated zones only' (Colorado, Utah).

Always verify with the specific state-park's drone policy page before flying. Most state park systems have a drone-policy FAQ.

BLM + USFS land is generally drone-friendly outside designated Wilderness Areas (Wilderness Act prohibits motorised equipment including drones).

Avoid: active wildfire zones (firefighting aircraft + drone collision risk = federal felony if you interfere), wildlife-sensitive areas during breeding season, areas with posted closures.

Best drone-friendly RV destinations (NOT inside NPS units): Moab BLM areas (UT, surrounding Arches + Canyonlands), Page AZ Lake Powell perimeter (BLM, outside NPS), Anza-Borrego Desert State Park CA (state park permitting flight), Mojave National Preserve (NPS but allows drones in some designated zones), Joshua Tree perimeter BLM (outside NP).

The under-shared truth: NPS rangers + state park rangers actively monitor drone flight via Remote ID receivers. The 'they'll never know' argument is no longer true post-Sep 2023. Compliance is the only winning strategy.

Second under-shared truth: many states + counties have wildlife-harassment laws that EXTEND to drone use. Flying near wildlife (close enough that the animal alters behaviour) violates federal Endangered Species Act + state wildlife codes. Maintain 200+ ft horizontal distance from any wildlife.