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Drone Rules for Lincoln National Forest

Otero County, New Mexico (NM) • United States
Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico 88347, USA
Lat: 32.8001 • Lng: -105.634
Ground Not fully verified Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFS Lincoln NF contains the White Mountain Wilderness and White Sands Missile Range R-5107 restricted area borders the western edge. Holloman AFB Class D airspace overlaps the western portions.

Drone Rules - Lincoln NF, New Mexico

White Mountain Wilderness (48,873 acres) bans drones; White Sands Missile Range R-5107 and Holloman AFB airspace are active threats to the west.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Holloman AFB (HMN) Class D is ~20 NM west of Cloudcroft; R-5107 (WSMR) can extend to FL180 and is activated frequently
  • Cloudcroft area (8,650 ft MSL) -- high-altitude density altitude; plan battery life accordingly
  • Sacramento Mountains and Mescalero Apache Reservation border the forest to the east and south -- tribal airspace rules apply on reservation land

Key Rules

  • Check WSMR R-5107 activation status via FAA TFR viewer before every flight in the Sacramento Ranger District
  • Mescalero Apache Reservation: tribal government requires prior approval for any flight over reservation land
  • USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial work in the forest

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