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Drone Rules for Joshua Tree National Park

California (CA) • United States
California, USA
Lat: 33.8734 • Lng: -115.901
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 28, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Joshua Tree 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 at the convergence of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, the

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • Military: ⚠️ MCAGCC Twentynine Palms restricted airspace adjacent

Geographic Boundaries

Joshua Tree National Park is located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California.

  • Total area: ~795,156 acres
  • Coordinates: 33.8734° N, 115.9010° W
  • Includes Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View (5,185 ft), and Cottonwood Springs
  • Adjacent to MCAGCC Twentynine Palms (largest USMC base)
  • Joshua Tree Wilderness: ~585,040 acres
  • Nearest city: Twentynine Palms, CA (~5 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
  • Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute motorized ban
  • Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) threatened; Mojave fringe-toed lizard
  • Military airspace: R-2507 and MOA areas adjacent to park
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G within park; military operations area adjacent

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
  • ESA Section 9: up to $50,000 + 1 year per desert tortoise incident
  • Military airspace violation: federal criminal prosecution
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • ESA Section 10 ITP for desert tortoise zone research
  • Military airspace coordination for eastern park boundary operations Submit requests to: Joshua Tree NP Superintendent, 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
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