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Drone Rules for Deschutes National Forest
Deschutes County, Oregon (OR)
• United States
Deschutes National Forest, Oregon 97703, USA
Lat: 44.0001 • Lng: -121.501
Rules Edit History: Deschutes National Forest
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May 30, 2026 6:12 AM
Approved
• Added USFS drone advisory for Deschutes NF with Three Sisters Wilderness, Redmond/Bend Class D proximity, and Smith Rock state park boundary context.
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Approved
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Your proposed edit detailing drone regulations in Deschutes National Forest, including the Three Sisters and Mt. Washington Wilderness Areas, proximity to Crater Lake National Park, and considerations for nearby airports and state parks, has been approved. This aligns with the U.S. Forest Service's guidelines that prohibit drone operations in designated Wilderness Areas and near national parks. The added context about the proximity to Crater Lake National Park, local airports, and Smith Rock State Park enhances the 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 | — | USFS Deschutes NF borders Crater Lake NP and contains Mt. Bachelor ski area (Bend area). The Three Sisters and Mt. Washington Wilderness Areas ban drones; Bend's growing population increases operational complexity. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 6aa54ed5-63ab-4360-a289-2f1ae987e2c4 |
Before
After
## Drone Rules - Deschutes NF, Oregon **Three Sisters Wilderness (partial) and Mt. Washington Wilderness** ban drones; Crater Lake NP's no-fly begins at the park boundary. ### Airspace / Site Context - Bend Municipal (BDN) and Redmond Airport (RDM) Class D are both within 15-20 NM of major trailheads; LAANC required for flights near Bend - Mt. Bachelor ski area is outside Wilderness but inside the forest -- active helicopter ski patrol activity in winter - Smith Rock State Park abuts the forest; Oregon State Parks prohibit drones, and it's a popular filming location ### Key Rules - Smith Rock: confirm whether launch site is on USFS or Oregon State Parks land - Fire season TFRs common June-October; check FAA TFR viewer - USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial work; Part 107 required for any commercial flight ### Source - USFS Deschutes: https://www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes
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+ ## Drone Rules - Deschutes NF, Oregon + + **Three Sisters Wilderness (partial) and Mt. Washington Wilderness** ban drones; Crater Lake NP's no-fly begins at the park boundary. + + ### Airspace / Site Context + - Bend Municipal (BDN) and Redmond Airport (RDM) Class D are both within 15-20 NM of major trailheads; LAANC required for flights near Bend + - Mt. Bachelor ski area is outside Wilderness but inside the forest -- active helicopter ski patrol activity in winter + - Smith Rock State Park abuts the forest; Oregon State Parks prohibit drones, and it's a popular filming location + + ### Key Rules + - Smith Rock: confirm whether launch site is on USFS or Oregon State Parks land + - Fire season TFRs common June-October; check FAA TFR viewer + - USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial work; Part 107 required for any commercial flight + + ### Source + - USFS Deschutes: https://www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes +