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Drone Rules for Ouachita National Forest

Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR) • United States
Hot Springs, AR 71902, USA
Lat: 34.7622 • Lng: -93.7029

Rules Edit History: Ouachita National Forest

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May 30, 2026 5:33 AM Approved • Added USFS drone advisory for Ouachita NF with Caney Creek Wilderness, McAlester MCAS MOA, and dual-state law context.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
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Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations in Ouachita National Forest has been approved. This aligns with the U.S. Forest Service's guidelines that prohibit drone operations in designated Wilderness Areas and near sensitive wildlife habitats. The added context about the forest's significance to peregrine falcon activity and the proximity to McAlester Army Ammunition Plant's restricted airspace enhances the understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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Summary — USFS Ouachita NF contains Caney Creek and Black Fork Mountain Wilderness Areas where drones are prohibited. The forest spans two states; state drone laws differ between AR and OK.
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## Drone Rules - Ouachita NF, Arkansas/Oklahoma

**Two Wilderness Areas** (Caney Creek Wilderness AR, Black Fork Mountain Wilderness OK) ban drones under the Wilderness Act.

### Airspace / Site Context
- 1.8 million acres spanning Arkansas and Oklahoma; Talimena National Scenic Byway runs along the ridgeline
- Caney Creek Wilderness (14,400 acres) in Arkansas has peregrine falcon activity on Caney Creek bluffs
- Fort Smith Regional (FSM) Class C is ~40 NM north of Caney Creek; McAlester MCAS MOA overlaps Oklahoma portions

### Key Rules
- Confirm which state (AR/OK) the launch site is in; Oklahoma adds a state drone registration requirement
- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant airspace: check for R-4501 restricted area activation before flying near Oklahoma portions
- USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial operations in either state

### Source
- USFS Ouachita: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita
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+ ## Drone Rules - Ouachita NF, Arkansas/Oklahoma
+ 
+ **Two Wilderness Areas** (Caney Creek Wilderness AR, Black Fork Mountain Wilderness OK) ban drones under the Wilderness Act.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - 1.8 million acres spanning Arkansas and Oklahoma; Talimena National Scenic Byway runs along the ridgeline
+ - Caney Creek Wilderness (14,400 acres) in Arkansas has peregrine falcon activity on Caney Creek bluffs
+ - Fort Smith Regional (FSM) Class C is ~40 NM north of Caney Creek; McAlester MCAS MOA overlaps Oklahoma portions
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - Confirm which state (AR/OK) the launch site is in; Oklahoma adds a state drone registration requirement
+ - McAlester Army Ammunition Plant airspace: check for R-4501 restricted area activation before flying near Oklahoma portions
+ - USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial operations in either state
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - USFS Ouachita: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita
+