← Back to Craters of the Moon National Monument

Drone Rules for Craters of the Moon National Monument

Arco, Idaho (id) • United States
1266 Craters Loop Road, Arco, ID 83213, USA
Lat: 43.4621 • Lng: -113.562
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
Edit rules/place details on map

NPS prohibits drones within all national monument boundaries. Craters of the Moon's lava tube caves and volcanic cones are a designated Wilderness Area.

Drone Rules - Craters of the Moon NM, Idaho

Drones are prohibited within Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve under 36 CFR 1.5.

Airspace / Site Context

  • 750,000-acre monument including 410,000 acres of designated Wilderness -- motorized use ban applies
  • Lava tube caves (Boy Scout Cave, Indian Tunnel) are habitat for Townsend's big-eared bat colonies; vibration from UAS disrupts hibernation
  • Nearest controlled airspace: Idaho Falls Regional (IDA) Class C is ~55 NM east; monument interior is Class G

Key Rules

  • NPS Special Use Permit required for scientific research flights within monument
  • Wilderness designation means no mechanical devices of any kind without an exemption
  • BLM land borders the monument; confirm parcel before launching near the boundary

Source

Map is not loaded yet
Load the map only when you need to view the rule outline.
This shows the latest mapped outline for this rules page. Click a shape to view its note when available.
Rule sources
Parent Rule Pages