← Back to Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Drone Rules for Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Kodiak, Alaska (AK) • United States
402 Center St, Kodiak, AK 99615, USA
Lat: 57.7875 • Lng: -152.404
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
Edit rules/place details on map

Kodiak NWR prohibits all UAS operations under USFWS Director's Order 210. The 1.9-million-acre refuge on Kodiak Island protects the highest density brown bear population in North America and critical salmon rivers.

Drone Rules - Kodiak NWR

All drone operations are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Kodiak State Airport (PADQ) Class D airspace at refuge gateway
  • Refuge spans 1.9 million acres on Kodiak, Afognak, and Uganik Islands
  • Highest density Kodiak brown bear population worldwide; ~3,500 bears on Kodiak Island
  • Alaska Department of Fish & Game manages bear-viewing areas with strict protocols

Key Rules

  • No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit; bear-viewing areas have heightened restrictions
  • Steller Sea Lion (ESA delisted western DPS, ESA threatened eastern DPS) haul-outs on coast
  • Bald Eagle nesting trees (BGEPA protected) throughout refuge; 200 ft buffer required
  • Remote wilderness travel requires float plane or boat; drone pursuit of bears or bears of bears is prosecuted under federal law

Source

Map is not loaded yet
Load the map only when you need to view the rule outline.
This shows the latest mapped outline for this rules page. Click a shape to view its note when available.
Rule sources
Parent Rule Pages