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Drone Rules for St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Saint Marks, Florida (FL) • United States
St. Marks Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA
Lat: 30.1367 • Lng: -84.2384
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on St. Marks NWR. The Gulf Coast refuge is a primary fall monarch butterfly migration landfall site and protects the Gulf Sturgeon (threatened) in the St. Marks River.

Drone Rules - St. Marks NWR, Florida

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Located ~25 miles south of Tallahassee; Tallahassee International (TLH) Class C outer ring extends ~20 NM south and may reach the northern refuge boundary
  • October monarch butterfly migration: up to 500,000 monarchs roost in the coastal scrub at the peninsula tip before crossing the Gulf of Mexico
  • Gulf sturgeon (threatened) spawn in the St. Marks River; drone boat-wake vibration at low altitude is a documented concern during August-September upriver runs

Key Rules

  • LAANC check for TLH Class C for any flight in the Wakulla County area
  • Monarch roost (October): USFWS requests no UAS flights within 0.5 miles of documented roost trees during October migration peak
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; research permits go to USFWS Southeast Region Florida office

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