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Drone Rules for Point Reyes National Seashore

Marin County, California (CA) • United States
California, USA
Lat: 38.0539 • Lng: -122.888
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Point Reyes National Seashore under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. Critical breeding habitat for elephant seals, harbor seals, and tule elk, with Snowy Plover nesting beaches triggering ESA seasonal

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • ESA: ⚠️ Snowy Plover + marine mammals — seasonal absolute bans
  • Wilderness: ❌ Philip Burton Wilderness motorized ban

Geographic Boundaries

Point Reyes National Seashore is located in Marin County, California, northwest of San Francisco.

  • Total area: ~71,028 acres
  • Coordinates: 38.0500° N, 122.8833° W
  • Includes Drakes Beach, Tomales Point (tule elk reserve), Point Reyes Lighthouse, and Limantour Beach
  • Philip Burton Wilderness: ~32,847 acres
  • Nearest city: Point Reyes Station, CA (adjacent)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
  • ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Western Snowy Plover threatened; nesting beach UAS constitutes Section 9 harassment
  • Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 1361) — elephant seal and harbor seal haul-out and pupping sites
  • Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Philip Burton Wilderness
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
  • Airspace: Class G; San Francisco Class B TMA ~30 miles south

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • ESA Section 9 Snowy Plover: up to $25,000 civil + $50,000 criminal
  • MMPA: civil fines up to $10,000 per marine mammal incident
  • Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Snowy Plover nesting blackout: March–September beaches
  • MMPA Letter of Authorization for marine mammal research Submit requests to: Point Reyes NS Superintendent, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
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