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Drone Rules for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Duncan, Colorado (CO) • United States
Colorado, USA
Lat: 37.7659 • Lng: -105.624
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 28, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the park superintendent. Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America,

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • Wilderness: ❌ Great Sand Dunes Wilderness absolute motorized ban

Geographic Boundaries

Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in Alamosa and Saguache Counties, Colorado, in the San Luis Valley.

  • Total area: ~107,342 acres (park) + ~41,686 acres (preserve)
  • Coordinates: 37.7430° N, 105.5114° W
  • Includes Star Dune (750 ft — tallest dune in North America), Medano Creek, Medano Pass Primitive Road, and Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
  • Adjacent to Baca National Wildlife Refuge
  • Nearest city: Alamosa, CO (~35 miles south)

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 within park
  • Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — Great Sand Dunes Wilderness
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-530) — specific enabling legislation
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • 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
  • Scientific research with NPS-approved research permit
  • Preserve unit: coordinate with BLM for non-NPS areas Submit requests to: Great Sand Dunes NP Superintendent, 11999 State Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146
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