← Back to Wupatki National Monument
Drone Rules for Wupatki National Monument
Coconino County, Arizona (AZ)
• United States
Arizona, USA
Lat: 35.56 • Lng: -111.394
Rules Edit History: Wupatki National Monument
Showing changes between revisions.
Mapped shape change
Old outline is gray. New outline is blue.
May 29, 2026 4:25 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Wupatki NM with post-volcanic eruption pueblo context.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations at Wupatki National Monument, aligning with National Park Service regulations and the site's status as a significant archaeological site.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/tont/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-1/section-1.5 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1510/arpa.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/rules.htm
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-2/section-2.17 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Wupatki National Monument under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the monument superintendent. | Drones are prohibited at Wupatki National Monument per NPS closure order. Ancestral Pueblo ruins are protected. |
| Mapped shapes | ab62a5e9-b22e-403f-ad78-f7e4986eac2c | d522b41b-b520-4c2e-ad0d-9e0dbb9fb6db |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Dual Monument Layer: ⚠️ Wupatki and Sunset Crater share loop road and airspace corridor — single flight may violate two separate NPS closure orders simultaneously - Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation dual cultural affiliation — both assert ancestral connection to Sinagua sites - Volcanic Layer: ⚠️ Sunset Crater Volcano NM immediately adjacent — TFR activation authority under 14 CFR § 91.137 ## Geographic Boundaries Wupatki National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. - Total area: ~35,422 acres - Coordinates: 35.5197° N, 111.3911° W - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~30 miles south) - Terrain: Painted Desert; red Moenkopi sandstone; sparse high desert scrub; Wupatki Pueblo (largest Sinagua structure in northern AZ — ~100 rooms); Wukoki Pueblo; Lomaki Pueblo; Citadel Pueblo; Nalakihu Pueblo; Box Canyon Dwellings - 2,700+ documented archaeological sites throughout monument - Sinagua culture occupation ~1100–1225 CE following 1064 CE Sunset Crater eruption; agricultural intensification via volcanic ash soil enrichment - Hopi Tribe — direct ancestral affiliation to Sinagua/Hisat'sinom people; Wupatki is an ancestral homeland - Navajo Nation lands immediately adjacent to eastern boundary - Shares 36-mile loop road with Sunset Crater Volcano NM - Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority (Wupatki) - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority (Sunset Crater) — dual closure orders apply along shared loop road corridor - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — 2,700+ sites; Wupatki Pueblo is among the most significant Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in NPS system; drone prop wash near ancient masonry constitutes potential ARPA disturbance - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — Hopi Tribe maintains active ceremonial relationship with Wupatki as ancestral homeland; Navajo Nation cultural interests in adjacent lands - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral human remains documented throughout monument - 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFR activation authority for Sunset Crater volcanic/geothermal hazard area immediately adjacent - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — prairie falcon and ferruginous hawk winter presence; burrowing owl documented - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation per monument (dual violation = up to $10,000 total for loop road operations) - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution - Active TFR violation (Sunset Crater): FAA civil penalties up to $27,500/day + certificate action - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required; must specify both Wupatki and Sunset Crater jurisdictions if operations cross loop road corridor - Hopi Tribe Cultural Preservation Office consultation required for any Wupatki Pueblo area operations - Navajo Nation coordination required for eastern boundary proximity operations - ARPA federal research permit + multi-tribal consultation (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and other affiliated tribes) required - Check active TFRs before any operation: https://tfr.faa.gov Submit requests to: Wupatki/Sunset Crater Volcano NM Superintendent, 6400 N Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
After
## Drone Rules - Wupatki National Monument **Drone use is prohibited** at Wupatki National Monument. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the monument - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit - Over 2,700 archaeological sites including multi-story pueblos built after the Sunset Crater eruption are protected ### Source - Wupatki NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/rules.htm
Show inline change markers
- - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - - Dual Monument Layer: ⚠️ Wupatki and Sunset Crater share loop road - and airspace corridor — single flight may violate two separate - NPS closure orders simultaneously - - Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation dual cultural - affiliation — both assert ancestral connection to Sinagua sites - - Volcanic Layer: ⚠️ Sunset Crater Volcano NM immediately adjacent — - TFR activation authority under 14 CFR § 91.137 - Wupatki National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, - administered by the National Park Service. - - Total area: ~35,422 acres - - Coordinates: 35.5197° N, 111.3911° W - - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~30 miles south) - - Terrain: Painted Desert; red Moenkopi sandstone; sparse high desert - scrub; Wupatki Pueblo (largest Sinagua structure in northern AZ — - ~100 rooms); Wukoki Pueblo; Lomaki Pueblo; Citadel Pueblo; - Nalakihu Pueblo; Box Canyon Dwellings - - 2,700+ documented archaeological sites throughout monument - - Sinagua culture occupation ~1100–1225 CE following 1064 CE - Sunset Crater eruption; agricultural intensification via - volcanic ash soil enrichment - - Hopi Tribe — direct ancestral affiliation to Sinagua/Hisat'sinom - people; Wupatki is an ancestral homeland - - Navajo Nation lands immediately adjacent to eastern boundary - - Shares 36-mile loop road with Sunset Crater Volcano NM - - Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G - — dual closure orders apply along shared loop road corridor - - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument - - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — - 2,700+ sites; Wupatki Pueblo is among the most significant - Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in NPS system; drone prop wash - near ancient masonry constitutes potential ARPA disturbance - - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — - Hopi Tribe maintains active ceremonial relationship with - Wupatki as ancestral homeland; Navajo Nation cultural - interests in adjacent lands - - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act - (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral human remains documented - throughout monument - - 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFR activation authority for Sunset Crater - volcanic/geothermal hazard area immediately adjacent - - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — prairie falcon - and ferruginous hawk winter presence; burrowing owl documented - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - (dual violation = up to $10,000 total for loop road operations) - - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - - NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution - - Active TFR violation (Sunset Crater): FAA civil penalties up to - $27,500/day + certificate action - - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers - ## Special Permissions - - NPS Special Use Permit required; must specify both Wupatki and - Sunset Crater jurisdictions if operations cross loop road corridor - - Hopi Tribe Cultural Preservation Office consultation required - for any Wupatki Pueblo area operations - - Navajo Nation coordination required for eastern boundary - proximity operations - - ARPA federal research permit + multi-tribal consultation - (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and other affiliated tribes) required - - Check active TFRs before any operation: https://tfr.faa.gov - Submit requests to: Wupatki/Sunset Crater Volcano NM Superintendent, - 6400 N Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 - Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: - PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
May 28, 2026 11:46 PM
Approved
• Added a complete drone restriction profile for Wupatki National Monument based on NPS 36 CFR § 1.5 dual closure orders with Sunset Crater Volcano NM, ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom protections, AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland, NAGPRA, FAA TFR authority for Sunset Crater volcanic adjacency, MBTA raptor protections, and FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to the drone restriction profile for Wupatki National Monument has been approved. The information is accurate and well-supported by official sources, and the outline appropriately matches the selected location. Thank you for your contribution.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/tont/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-1/section-1.5 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1510/arpa.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
- https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/rules.htm
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-2/section-2.17 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) with dual monument closure orders (Wupatki + Sunset Crater), ARPA 2,700+ Sinagua/Hisat'sinom site protections (16 U.S.C. § 470aa), AIRFA Hopi ancestral homeland ceremonial protections (42 U.S.C. § 1996), NAGPRA ancestral remains, FAA TFR authority 14 CFR § 91.137 for adjacent Sunset Crater, and MBTA raptor protections ban all unauthorized drone operations, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drones are prohibited at Wupatki National Monument per NPS closure order. Ancestral Pueblo ruins are protected. | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Wupatki National Monument under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the monument superintendent. |
| Mapped shapes | 72fa1815-dbbc-4b6e-98b9-35aa39d75863 | ab62a5e9-b22e-403f-ad78-f7e4986eac2c |
Before
## Drone Rules - Wupatki National Monument **Drone use is prohibited** at Wupatki National Monument. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the monument - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit - Over 2,700 archaeological sites including multi-story pueblos built after the Sunset Crater eruption are protected ### Source - Wupatki NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/rules.htm
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Dual Monument Layer: ⚠️ Wupatki and Sunset Crater share loop road and airspace corridor — single flight may violate two separate NPS closure orders simultaneously - Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation dual cultural affiliation — both assert ancestral connection to Sinagua sites - Volcanic Layer: ⚠️ Sunset Crater Volcano NM immediately adjacent — TFR activation authority under 14 CFR § 91.137 ## Geographic Boundaries Wupatki National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, administered by the National Park Service. - Total area: ~35,422 acres - Coordinates: 35.5197° N, 111.3911° W - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~30 miles south) - Terrain: Painted Desert; red Moenkopi sandstone; sparse high desert scrub; Wupatki Pueblo (largest Sinagua structure in northern AZ — ~100 rooms); Wukoki Pueblo; Lomaki Pueblo; Citadel Pueblo; Nalakihu Pueblo; Box Canyon Dwellings - 2,700+ documented archaeological sites throughout monument - Sinagua culture occupation ~1100–1225 CE following 1064 CE Sunset Crater eruption; agricultural intensification via volcanic ash soil enrichment - Hopi Tribe — direct ancestral affiliation to Sinagua/Hisat'sinom people; Wupatki is an ancestral homeland - Navajo Nation lands immediately adjacent to eastern boundary - Shares 36-mile loop road with Sunset Crater Volcano NM - Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority (Wupatki) - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority (Sunset Crater) — dual closure orders apply along shared loop road corridor - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — 2,700+ sites; Wupatki Pueblo is among the most significant Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in NPS system; drone prop wash near ancient masonry constitutes potential ARPA disturbance - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — Hopi Tribe maintains active ceremonial relationship with Wupatki as ancestral homeland; Navajo Nation cultural interests in adjacent lands - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral human remains documented throughout monument - 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFR activation authority for Sunset Crater volcanic/geothermal hazard area immediately adjacent - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — prairie falcon and ferruginous hawk winter presence; burrowing owl documented - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation per monument (dual violation = up to $10,000 total for loop road operations) - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment - NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution - Active TFR violation (Sunset Crater): FAA civil penalties up to $27,500/day + certificate action - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required; must specify both Wupatki and Sunset Crater jurisdictions if operations cross loop road corridor - Hopi Tribe Cultural Preservation Office consultation required for any Wupatki Pueblo area operations - Navajo Nation coordination required for eastern boundary proximity operations - ARPA federal research permit + multi-tribal consultation (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and other affiliated tribes) required - Check active TFRs before any operation: https://tfr.faa.gov Submit requests to: Wupatki/Sunset Crater Volcano NM Superintendent, 6400 N Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Show inline change markers
+ - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned + - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - Dual Monument Layer: ⚠️ Wupatki and Sunset Crater share loop road + and airspace corridor — single flight may violate two separate + NPS closure orders simultaneously + - Tribal Layer: ⚠️ Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation dual cultural + affiliation — both assert ancestral connection to Sinagua sites + - Volcanic Layer: ⚠️ Sunset Crater Volcano NM immediately adjacent — + TFR activation authority under 14 CFR § 91.137 + Wupatki National Monument is located in Coconino County, Arizona, + administered by the National Park Service. + - Total area: ~35,422 acres + - Coordinates: 35.5197° N, 111.3911° W + - Nearest city: Flagstaff, AZ (~30 miles south) + - Terrain: Painted Desert; red Moenkopi sandstone; sparse high desert + scrub; Wupatki Pueblo (largest Sinagua structure in northern AZ — + ~100 rooms); Wukoki Pueblo; Lomaki Pueblo; Citadel Pueblo; + Nalakihu Pueblo; Box Canyon Dwellings + - 2,700+ documented archaeological sites throughout monument + - Sinagua culture occupation ~1100–1225 CE following 1064 CE + Sunset Crater eruption; agricultural intensification via + volcanic ash soil enrichment + - Hopi Tribe — direct ancestral affiliation to Sinagua/Hisat'sinom + people; Wupatki is an ancestral homeland + - Navajo Nation lands immediately adjacent to eastern boundary + - Shares 36-mile loop road with Sunset Crater Volcano NM + - Airspace: Class E above 700 ft AGL; surface Class G + — dual closure orders apply along shared loop road corridor + - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval within monument + - Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — + 2,700+ sites; Wupatki Pueblo is among the most significant + Sinagua/Hisat'sinom sites in NPS system; drone prop wash + near ancient masonry constitutes potential ARPA disturbance + - American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. § 1996) — + Hopi Tribe maintains active ceremonial relationship with + Wupatki as ancestral homeland; Navajo Nation cultural + interests in adjacent lands + - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act + (25 U.S.C. § 3001) — ancestral human remains documented + throughout monument + - 14 CFR § 91.137 — TFR activation authority for Sunset Crater + volcanic/geothermal hazard area immediately adjacent + - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — prairie falcon + and ferruginous hawk winter presence; burrowing owl documented + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide + (dual violation = up to $10,000 total for loop road operations) + - Misdemeanor charges under 36 CFR § 1.3 + - ARPA violations: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment + - NAGPRA violations: federal criminal prosecution + - Active TFR violation (Sunset Crater): FAA civil penalties up to + $27,500/day + certificate action + - MBTA violations: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months imprisonment + - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day + - Equipment confiscation by NPS rangers + ## Special Permissions + - NPS Special Use Permit required; must specify both Wupatki and + Sunset Crater jurisdictions if operations cross loop road corridor + - Hopi Tribe Cultural Preservation Office consultation required + for any Wupatki Pueblo area operations + - Navajo Nation coordination required for eastern boundary + proximity operations + - ARPA federal research permit + multi-tribal consultation + (Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and other affiliated tribes) required + - Check active TFRs before any operation: https://tfr.faa.gov + Submit requests to: Wupatki/Sunset Crater Volcano NM Superintendent, + 6400 N Highway 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 + Hopi Cultural Preservation Office: + PO Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
May 28, 2026 12:53 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Wupatki NM with post-volcanic eruption pueblo context.
Moderation feedback
NeedsHumanReview
Confidence: 0.65
Your submission needs a human moderator because the automated check was not confident enough.
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are prohibited within Tonto National Monument under National Park Service regulations. | Drones are prohibited at Wupatki National Monument per NPS closure order. Ancestral Pueblo ruins are protected. |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial: ❌ Prohibited ## Geographic Boundaries Entire monument area including cliff dwellings and desert landscape. ## Regulations - NPS drone prohibition - 36 CFR §1.5 - FAA Part 107 ## Penalties - Federal fines - Park enforcement ## Special Permissions Only with written approval.
After
## Drone Rules - Wupatki National Monument **Drone use is prohibited** at Wupatki National Monument. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the monument - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit - Over 2,700 archaeological sites including multi-story pueblos built after the Sunset Crater eruption are protected ### Source - Wupatki NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/rules.htm
Show inline change markers
- - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - - Commercial: ❌ Prohibited - Entire monument area including cliff dwellings and desert landscape. - - Park enforcement - ## Special Permissions - Only with written approval.
May 27, 2026 8:06 PM
Approved
• Added NPS drone restriction for Aztec Ruins National Monument.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.80
Your rule edit passed automated review. The submitted source supports the restricted location, and your outline appears to match the selected place.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Unknown | NoFly |
| Summary | — | Drone operations are prohibited within Tonto National Monument under National Park Service regulations. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 72fa1815-dbbc-4b6e-98b9-35aa39d75863 |
Before
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial: ❌ Prohibited ## Geographic Boundaries Entire monument area including cliff dwellings and desert landscape. ## Regulations - NPS drone prohibition - 36 CFR §1.5 - FAA Part 107 ## Penalties - Federal fines - Park enforcement ## Special Permissions Only with written approval.
Show inline change markers
+ ## Authorization Status + - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned + - Commercial: ❌ Prohibited + + ## Geographic Boundaries + Entire monument area including cliff dwellings and desert landscape. + + ## Regulations + - NPS drone prohibition + - 36 CFR §1.5 + - FAA Part 107 + + ## Penalties + - Federal fines + - Park enforcement + + ## Special Permissions + Only with written approval.