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Drone Rules for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Brecksville, Ohio (OH)
• United States
Ohio, USA
Lat: 41.2808 • Lng: -81.5678
Rules Edit History: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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May 30, 2026 12:01 PM
Approved
• Added NPS 36 CFR 1.5 drone prohibition for Cuyahoga Valley NP with KCLE Class B and KCAK Class C dual-city context, Bald Eagle BGEPA nesting, and Ohio state law.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.85
Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition in Cuyahoga Valley 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.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Cuyahoga Valley 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. Located between Cleveland and Akron, the park lies within Cle | Cuyahoga Valley National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park lies between Cleveland and Akron and is the most visited NPS unit in the Midwest, with over 3 million visitors annually. |
| Mapped shapes | 5e9f83e5-75e4-403e-a829-e068ba1873db | 80b95566-2b98-430e-8388-9be328a7df58 |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Airspace: ⚠️ Cleveland Class C (CLE) + Akron Class D (CAK) ## Geographic Boundaries Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Summit and Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio, between Cleveland and Akron. - Total area: ~32,572 acres - Coordinates: 41.2808° N, 81.5678° W - Includes Cuyahoga River gorge, Brandywine Falls (65 ft), Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, and Beaver Marsh - Located between Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) ~15 miles and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) ~15 miles - Nearest city: Cleveland, OH (~15 miles north) ## 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 - FAA Class C Airspace (CLE) — mandatory ATC authorization - FAA Class D Airspace (CAK) — mandatory ATC authorization - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - LAANC availability: check FAA UAS Facility Map (CLE/CAK grid) ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - FAA Class C/D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + possible certificate suspension - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - FAA LAANC or DroneZone authorization mandatory - Coordination with both CLE and CAK approach controls Submit requests to: Cuyahoga Valley NP Superintendent, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
After
## Drone Rules - Cuyahoga Valley NP **All drone operations are prohibited** under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park's location in the Cleveland-Akron metropolitan area creates high enforcement visibility. ### Airspace / Site Context - Cleveland Hopkins International (KCLE) Class B outer ring is ~15 miles north - Akron-Canton Regional (KCAK) Class C lies ~10 miles south - Cuyahoga County Airport (KCGF) Class D lies ~10 miles north - Park spans 32,861 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron ### Key Rules - No drone operations within park boundaries - Cleveland LAANC or Akron LAANC required for Part 107 operations in adjacent airspace - Bald eagle (BGEPA protected) nests along the Cuyahoga River within the park - Ohio state law prohibits drone operations over state and national park lands ### Source - NPS Cuyahoga Valley: https://www.nps.gov/cuva
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- - Airspace: ⚠️ Cleveland Class C (CLE) + Akron Class D (CAK) - - Includes Cuyahoga River gorge, Brandywine Falls (65 ft), - Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, and Beaver Marsh - - Located between Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) ~15 miles - and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) ~15 miles - - Nearest city: Cleveland, OH (~15 miles north) - - FAA Class D Airspace (CAK) — mandatory ATC authorization - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - - LAANC availability: check FAA UAS Facility Map (CLE/CAK grid) - - FAA Class C/D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day - + possible certificate suspension - - Equipment confiscation by park rangers - ## Special Permissions - - NPS Special Use Permit required - - FAA LAANC or DroneZone authorization mandatory - - Coordination with both CLE and CAK approach controls - Submit requests to: Cuyahoga Valley NP Superintendent, - 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
May 28, 2026 11:25 PM
Approved
• Added drone restriction profile for Cuyahoga Valley National Park based on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, 36 CFR § 1.5, and FAA Cleveland Class C / Akron Class D dual airspace mandatory ATC authorization requirements.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to the drone restriction profile for Cuyahoga Valley 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/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. FAA Cleveland Class C and Akron Class D airspace add mandatory ATC authorization requirements.
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drones are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park per NPS closure order. | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Cuyahoga Valley 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. Located between Cleveland and Akron, the park lies within Cle |
Before
## Drone Rules - Cuyahoga Valley National Park **Drone flights are banned** in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the park - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from park administration - The park is Ohio's only national park and protects the Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem ### Source - Cuyahoga Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Airspace: ⚠️ Cleveland Class C (CLE) + Akron Class D (CAK) ## Geographic Boundaries Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Summit and Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio, between Cleveland and Akron. - Total area: ~32,572 acres - Coordinates: 41.2808° N, 81.5678° W - Includes Cuyahoga River gorge, Brandywine Falls (65 ft), Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, and Beaver Marsh - Located between Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) ~15 miles and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) ~15 miles - Nearest city: Cleveland, OH (~15 miles north) ## 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 - FAA Class C Airspace (CLE) — mandatory ATC authorization - FAA Class D Airspace (CAK) — mandatory ATC authorization - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - LAANC availability: check FAA UAS Facility Map (CLE/CAK grid) ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - FAA Class C/D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + possible certificate suspension - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - FAA LAANC or DroneZone authorization mandatory - Coordination with both CLE and CAK approach controls Submit requests to: Cuyahoga Valley NP Superintendent, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
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+ - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned + - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - Airspace: ⚠️ Cleveland Class C (CLE) + Akron Class D (CAK) + Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Summit and + Cuyahoga Counties, Ohio, between Cleveland and Akron. + - Total area: ~32,572 acres + - Coordinates: 41.2808° N, 81.5678° W + - Includes Cuyahoga River gorge, Brandywine Falls (65 ft), + Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, and Beaver Marsh + - Located between Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) ~15 miles + and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) ~15 miles + - Nearest city: Cleveland, OH (~15 miles north) + - FAA Class C Airspace (CLE) — mandatory ATC authorization + - FAA Class D Airspace (CAK) — mandatory ATC authorization + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide + - LAANC availability: check FAA UAS Facility Map (CLE/CAK grid) + - FAA Class C/D violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day + + possible certificate suspension + - Equipment confiscation by park rangers + ## Special Permissions + - NPS Special Use Permit required + - FAA LAANC or DroneZone authorization mandatory + - Coordination with both CLE and CAK approach controls + Submit requests to: Cuyahoga Valley NP Superintendent, + 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
May 27, 2026 11:03 PM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Cuyahoga Valley NP.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the drone prohibition in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including specific details about the protected Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem.
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. | Drones are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park per NPS closure order. |
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
## Drone Rules - Cuyahoga Valley National Park **Drone flights are banned** in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the park - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from park administration - The park is Ohio's only national park and protects the Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem ### Source - Cuyahoga Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm
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+ **Drone flights are banned** in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. + + ### Key Rules + - No recreational drone use within the park + - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from park administration + - The park is Ohio's only national park and protects the Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem + + ### Source + - Cuyahoga Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm - https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
May 27, 2026 10:17 AM
Approved
• Rollback user history: Bad outlines
Moderation feedback
Administrative rollback audit entry.
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | NoFly | Permission |
| Summary | Drones are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park per NPS closure order. | 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 | 8e7f2d0a-b6f1-41da-972f-e1ae62528310 | 5e9f83e5-75e4-403e-a829-e068ba1873db |
Before
## Drone Rules - Cuyahoga Valley National Park **Drone flights are banned** in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the park - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from park administration - The park is Ohio's only national park and protects the Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem ### Source - Cuyahoga Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm
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
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+ 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. - - ### Key Rules - - No recreational drone use within the park - - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from park administration - - The park is Ohio's only national park and protects the Cuyahoga River valley ecosystem - - ### Source - - Cuyahoga Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/rules.htm -
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 | — | 5e9f83e5-75e4-403e-a829-e068ba1873db |
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