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Drone Rules for Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Morris County, New Jersey (NJ) • United States
32 Pleasant Plains Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
Lat: 40.7193 • Lng: -74.5258
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Great Swamp NWR. The refuge sits 25 miles from New York City under the Newark and Morristown Class D/C airspace network; the Wilderness portion adds a second prohibition.

Drone Rules - Great Swamp NWR, New Jersey

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210; the Great Swamp Wilderness (3,660 acres) adds a Wilderness Act prohibition.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Newark Liberty International (EWR) Class B outer rings extend over portions of Morris County; Morristown Municipal (MMU) Class D is ~3 NM north
  • The refuge is a critical stopover for migrating wood ducks, black ducks, and Eastern box turtles (state threatened)
  • Dense suburban surroundings mean drone noise complaints are common from adjacent homeowners

Key Rules

  • EWR Class B and MMU Class D LAANC required for any flight within 5 NM of the refuge -- most grid squares authorize 0-100 ft AGL
  • Wilderness designation provides an independent federal prohibition for the core wetland area
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required for research; New Jersey DEP may also require separate state notification

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