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Drone Rules for Ramble at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Mosca, Colorado (CO) • United States
246 Rd N 112, Mosca, CO 81146, USA
Lat: 37.5788 • Lng: -105.822

Rules Edit History: Ramble at Great Sand Dunes National Park

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May 30, 2026 11:41 AM Approved • Added NPS 36 CFR 1.5 drone prohibition for Great Sand Dunes NP with endemic tiger beetle ESA concern, Whooping crane migration, and 750 ft dune height.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
Approved Confidence: 0.75
Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition in Great Sand Dunes National Park has been approved. This aligns with National Park Service regulations, which prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft in the park to protect public safety, minimize visitor-use conflicts, and prevent unacceptable impacts to scenic values, natural soundscapes, and wildlife. The added context regarding the park's unique features enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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Summary Drones are prohibited in Great Sand Dunes National Park per NPS closure order. Great Sand Dunes National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park encompasses the tallest sand dunes in North America (750+ ft) and critical habitat for the Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle, found nowhere else on Earth.
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## Drone Rules - Great Sand Dunes National Park

**Drones are not allowed** at Great Sand Dunes National Park.







### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within park boundaries
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from park administration
- Migrating waterfowl and the Medano Creek corridor require protection


### Source
- NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
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## Drone Rules - Great Sand Dunes NP

**All UAS operations are prohibited** under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The world's only species of Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle is an ESA concern in this unique ecosystem.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Alamosa Airport (KALS) Class D lies ~25 miles south
- Park elevation 7,519-13,604 ft MSL; San Luis Valley floor to Sangre de Cristo peaks
- Dune field covers 30 square miles; Medano Creek creates unique wet-sand environment
- San Luis Valley is a key raptor migration corridor along the Rocky Mountain flyway

### Key Rules
- No drone operations within park boundary
- Great Sand Dunes tiger beetle endemic; any drone disturbance of dune surface potentially harms ESA species
- Whooping crane has been recorded in San Luis Valley during migration
- Surrounding Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (NPS) and Rio Grande National Forest also restrict drones

### Source
- NPS Great Sand Dunes: https://www.nps.gov/grsa
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+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - Alamosa Airport (KALS) Class D lies ~25 miles south
+ - Park elevation 7,519-13,604 ft MSL; San Luis Valley floor to Sangre de Cristo peaks
+ - Dune field covers 30 square miles; Medano Creek creates unique wet-sand environment
+ - San Luis Valley is a key raptor migration corridor along the Rocky Mountain flyway
+ 
  ### Key Rules
+ - Surrounding Great Sand Dunes National Preserve (NPS) and Rio Grande National Forest also restrict drones
  
  ### Source
May 29, 2026 6:24 AM Approved • Added NPS drone ban for Great Sand Dunes NP.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
Moderation feedback
NeedsHumanReview Confidence: 0.75
Your proposed edit to prohibit drone operations in Great Sand Dunes National Park has been approved. The prohibition aligns with National Park Service regulations and the park's status as a protected area. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the park's boundaries.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Drones are prohibited in Great Sand Dunes National Park per NPS closure order.
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After
## Drone Rules - Great Sand Dunes National Park

**Drones are not allowed** at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within park boundaries
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from park administration
- Migrating waterfowl and the Medano Creek corridor require protection

### Source
- NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
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+ ## Drone Rules - Great Sand Dunes National Park
+ 
+ **Drones are not allowed** at Great Sand Dunes National Park.
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - No recreational drone flights within park boundaries
+ - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from park administration
+ - Migrating waterfowl and the Medano Creek corridor require protection
+ 
+ ### Source
+ - NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
+