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Drone Rules for Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Medora, North Dakota (ND)
• United States
North Dakota, USA
Lat: 46.9509 • Lng: -103.463
Rules Edit History: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
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May 30, 2026 12:08 PM
Approved
• Added NPS 36 CFR 1.5 drone prohibition for Theodore Roosevelt NP with KDIK Class D South Unit adjacency, wild horse herd drone pursuit prohibition, and ND state law.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.95
Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Theodore Roosevelt 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.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/thro
- https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/rules.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Wild & Scenic Rivers Act Little Missouri corridor and MBTA raptor protections add additional restriction layers.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Theodore Roosevelt National Park 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. Split into three units across the North Dakota Badlands, t | Theodore Roosevelt National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The three-unit park in the North Dakota Badlands protects habitat for wild horses, bison, elk, and bighorn sheep in the Little Missouri River watershed. |
| Mapped shapes | dc0f8fe5-11ac-49cc-b376-fac2e97c1908 | 2b1349d2-b202-4c67-ab50-2fe8fde97f0c |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Wildlife: ⚠️ Free-roaming bison herd — disturbance prohibited ## Geographic Boundaries Theodore Roosevelt National Park consists of three units in Billings, McKenzie, and Mercer Counties, North Dakota. - South Unit: 46.9791° N, 103.5388° W (~46,158 acres) - North Unit: 47.5877° N, 103.3388° W (~24,070 acres) - Elkhorn Ranch Unit: 47.1500° N, 103.4667° W (~218 acres) - Total area: ~70,446 acres - Includes Painted Canyon, Little Missouri River (WSR), and free-roaming bison, wild horse, and elk herds - Nearest city: Medora, ND (adjacent to South Unit) ## 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 - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Little Missouri - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects ferruginous hawk and other raptor species - 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 - WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance - MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per raptor disturbance - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - Bison herd operations subject to additional park review - WSR corridor: additional BLM coordination required Submit requests to: Theodore Roosevelt NP Superintendent, 315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645
After
## Drone Rules - Theodore Roosevelt NP **All drone operations are prohibited** under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. Wild horse herds and bison are particularly reactive to overhead drones in open badlands terrain. ### Airspace / Site Context - Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (KDIK) Class D lies adjacent to the South Unit - Park spans North and South Units plus the Elkhorn Ranch Unit along the Little Missouri River - Oil field activity in surrounding areas creates intermittent helicopter traffic - Elevation 2,200-3,000 ft MSL; high plains winds common ### Key Rules - No drone launches, landings, or operations in any of the three park units - KDIK Class D LAANC required for Part 107 operations near the South Unit boundary - Wild horse (free-roaming) herd management area; drone pursuit is prohibited under NPS policy - North Dakota state law prohibits UAS over national park units ### Source - NPS Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.nps.gov/thro
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- - Wildlife: ⚠️ Free-roaming bison herd — disturbance prohibited - - Elkhorn Ranch Unit: 47.1500° N, 103.4667° W (~218 acres) - - Total area: ~70,446 acres - - Includes Painted Canyon, Little Missouri River (WSR), - and free-roaming bison, wild horse, and elk herds - - Nearest city: Medora, ND (adjacent to South Unit) - - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects - ferruginous hawk and other raptor species - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park - - WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance - - MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per raptor disturbance - - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - - Equipment confiscation by park rangers - ## Special Permissions - - NPS Special Use Permit required - - Bison herd operations subject to additional park review - - WSR corridor: additional BLM coordination required - Submit requests to: Theodore Roosevelt NP Superintendent, - 315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645
May 28, 2026 11:33 PM
Approved
• Added drone restriction profile for Theodore Roosevelt National Park based on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, 36 CFR § 1.5, WSR Act Little Missouri River corridor, and MBTA ferruginous hawk and raptor protections.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to the drone restriction profile for Theodore Roosevelt National Park is approved. The information is accurate and well-supported by official sources, and the outline appropriately matches the selected location. Thank you for your contribution.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Wild & Scenic Rivers Act Little Missouri corridor and MBTA raptor protections add additional restriction layers.
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Permission | NoFly |
| Summary | United States National Parks are restricted from taking off, landing, or controlling a drone within the park to those with permission. Which is rare to receive. | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Theodore Roosevelt National Park 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. Split into three units across the North Dakota Badlands, t |
Before
## This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Wildlife: ⚠️ Free-roaming bison herd — disturbance prohibited ## Geographic Boundaries Theodore Roosevelt National Park consists of three units in Billings, McKenzie, and Mercer Counties, North Dakota. - South Unit: 46.9791° N, 103.5388° W (~46,158 acres) - North Unit: 47.5877° N, 103.3388° W (~24,070 acres) - Elkhorn Ranch Unit: 47.1500° N, 103.4667° W (~218 acres) - Total area: ~70,446 acres - Includes Painted Canyon, Little Missouri River (WSR), and free-roaming bison, wild horse, and elk herds - Nearest city: Medora, ND (adjacent to South Unit) ## 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 - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Little Missouri - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects ferruginous hawk and other raptor species - 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 - WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance - MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per raptor disturbance - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - Bison herd operations subject to additional park review - WSR corridor: additional BLM coordination required Submit requests to: Theodore Roosevelt NP Superintendent, 315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645
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+ - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - Wildlife: ⚠️ Free-roaming bison herd — disturbance prohibited + + ## Geographic Boundaries + Theodore Roosevelt National Park consists of three units + in Billings, McKenzie, and Mercer Counties, North Dakota. + - South Unit: 46.9791° N, 103.5388° W (~46,158 acres) + - North Unit: 47.5877° N, 103.3388° W (~24,070 acres) + - Elkhorn Ranch Unit: 47.1500° N, 103.4667° W (~218 acres) + - Total area: ~70,446 acres + - Includes Painted Canyon, Little Missouri River (WSR), + and free-roaming bison, wild horse, and elk herds + - Nearest city: Medora, ND (adjacent to South Unit) + + ## 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 + - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Little Missouri + - Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. § 703) — protects + ferruginous hawk and other raptor species + - 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 + - WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance + - MBTA fines up to $15,000 + 6 months per raptor disturbance + - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day + - Equipment confiscation by park rangers + - NPS Special Use Permit required + - Bison herd operations subject to additional park review + - WSR corridor: additional BLM coordination required + Submit requests to: Theodore Roosevelt NP Superintendent, + 315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Rule category | — | Ground |
| Flight status | — | Permission |
| Summary | — | United States National Parks are restricted from taking off, landing, or controlling a drone within the park to those with permission. Which is rare to receive. |
| Mapped shapes | — | dc0f8fe5-11ac-49cc-b376-fac2e97c1908 |
Before
After
## This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
Show inline change markers
+ ## + This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. + + https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm