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Drone Rules for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Alaska (AK) • United States
Alaska, USA
Lat: 67.6855 • Lng: -153.324
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 28, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve 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. The most remote national park in the United St

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • Wilderness: ❌ Gates of the Arctic Wilderness absolute motorized ban

Geographic Boundaries

Gates of the Arctic National Park is located entirely above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Range, Alaska.

  • Total area: ~8,472,506 acres
  • Coordinates: 67.7456° N, 153.2924° W
  • Includes Frigid Crags, Boreal Mountain, Alatna River, North Fork Koyukuk River, and six Wild & Scenic Rivers
  • No roads, no trails, no visitor facilities of any kind
  • Nearest city: Bettles, AK (~5 miles south, pop. ~12)

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
  • Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute motorized ban
  • ANILCA (16 U.S.C. § 3101) — Alaska-specific subsistence provisions
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G throughout; no controlled airspace

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • ANILCA subsistence research requires tribal coordination
  • All access by small bush plane only; self-sufficiency mandatory Submit requests to: Gates of the Arctic NP Superintendent, 101 Dunkel St, Suite 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701
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