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Drone Rules for Acadia National Park

Mount Desert, Maine (ME) • United States
Maine, USA
Lat: 44.3386 • Lng: -68.2733
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Acadia National Park under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. The only national park in the northeastern U.S., Acadia protects 27 miles of Maine coastline and critical Peregrine Falcon nesting cliffs on

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • MBTA: ⚠️ Peregrine Falcon nesting cliffs — March–August ban

Geographic Boundaries

Acadia National Park is located in Hancock and Knox Counties, Maine, primarily on Mount Desert Island.

  • Total area: ~49,075 acres
  • Coordinates: 44.3386° N, 68.2733° W
  • Includes Cadillac Mountain (1,530 ft — highest point on U.S. Atlantic coast), Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, Precipice Trail, and Isle au Haut
  • Nearest city: Bar Harbor, ME (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
  • MBTA (16 U.S.C. § 703) — Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting on Precipice and Jordan Cliffs; disturbance prohibited
  • Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 668) — Bald Eagle nesting territories on park islands
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • MBTA: fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per falcon disturbance
  • BGEPA: fines up to $10,000 + 2 years per eagle violation
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Peregrine Falcon nesting blackout: March–August cliff areas
  • Wildlife research: USFWS MBTA + BGEPA permits required Submit requests to: Acadia NP Superintendent, 25 Visitor Center Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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