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Drone Rules for Valles Caldera National Preserve

Name: Valles Caldera National Preserve
Address: 39201 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA, Jemez Springs, NM, US

Jemez Springs, New Mexico (NM) • United States

39201 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA

Lat: 35.8321 • Lng: -106.487

Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026

Summary

Drones are prohibited in Valles Caldera National Preserve per NPS closure order. Elk herd and volcanic caldera are protected.

Drone Rules - Valles Caldera National Preserve

Drones are not allowed in Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Key Rules

No recreational drone flights within the preserve
Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from the NPS
The 13-mile-wide volcanic caldera hosts one of the Southwest's largest elk herds; meadow and forest ecosystems are protected

Source

Valles Caldera NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/rules.htm

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Rule sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-2/section-2.17 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.congress.gov/106/plaws/publ248/PLAW-106publ248.pdf — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-107 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-I/part-1/section-1.5 — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/rules.htm — NPS regulations under 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3), the Valles Caldera Superintendent's Compendium, and Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act (Pub. L. 106-248) ban all drone operations within preserve boundaries, supported by FAA 14 CFR Part 107.

Parent Rule Pages

United States
New Mexico
jemez-springs
Valles Caldera National Preserve