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Drone Rules for Kobuk Valley National Park
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska (AK)
• United States
Alaska, USA
Lat: 67.3575 • Lng: -159.214
Rules Edit History: Kobuk Valley National Park
Showing changes between revisions.
Mapped shape change
Old outline is gray. New outline is blue.
May 29, 2026 5:40 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Kobuk Valley NP with Arctic sand dunes and caribou context.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to prohibit drone flights in Kobuk Valley National Park has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations in this area, aligning with National Park Service regulations and the park's status as a protected area for the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and caribou migration routes.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Kobuk Valley National Park boundaries. No exceptions without written superintendent approval.
- https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm
Changed fields
Mapped shape change
Click to load this change into the shared map viewer here.
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Rule category | Air | Ground |
| Summary | Drones are prohibited in Kobuk Valley National Park. Arctic wilderness and caribou migration routes. | Drones are prohibited in Kobuk Valley National Park per NPS closure order. Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and caribou migration are protected. |
| Mapped shapes | 00616561-850d-4edc-93ae-e9b147733d48 | edf0ebc8-6a5f-4377-80df-659a9e3ce1ff |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Wilderness: ❌ Kobuk Valley Wilderness absolute motorized ban ## Geographic Boundaries Kobuk Valley National Park is located in the Kobuk Valley, Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, above the Arctic Circle. - Total area: ~1,750,717 acres - Coordinates: 67.3558° N, 159.1239° W - Includes Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (25 sq miles — largest active sand dunes in Arctic), Kobuk River (Wild & Scenic), and Western Arctic caribou migration corridor (~490,000 animals) - No roads access; bush plane or riverboat only - Nearest city: Kotzebue, AK (~75 miles southwest) ## 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) — subsistence rights of local communities - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Kobuk River - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - Airspace: Class G; 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 - WSR corridor operations require additional review Submit requests to: Kobuk Valley NP Superintendent, 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752
After
## Drone Rules - Kobuk Valley National Park **Drone use is prohibited** in Kobuk Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the park - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from the NPS - The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic) and Western Arctic caribou herd migration routes are protected ### Source - Kobuk Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm
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- - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - - Wilderness: ❌ Kobuk Valley Wilderness absolute motorized ban - Kobuk Valley National Park is located in the Kobuk Valley, - Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, above the Arctic Circle. - - Total area: ~1,750,717 acres - - Coordinates: 67.3558° N, 159.1239° W - - Includes Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (25 sq miles — largest active - sand dunes in Arctic), Kobuk River (Wild & Scenic), - and Western Arctic caribou migration corridor (~490,000 animals) - - No roads access; bush plane or riverboat only - - Nearest city: Kotzebue, AK (~75 miles southwest) - - Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute motorized ban - - ANILCA (16 U.S.C. § 3101) — subsistence rights of local communities - - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Kobuk River - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace - - 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 - - WSR corridor operations require additional review - Submit requests to: Kobuk Valley NP Superintendent, - 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752
May 28, 2026 11:15 PM
Approved
• Added drone restriction profile for Kobuk Valley National Park — one of least-visited US parks — based on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, 36 CFR § 1.5, Wilderness Act, ANILCA, and Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit to the drone restriction profile for Kobuk 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/subjects/sound/uas.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within Kobuk Valley National Park boundaries. No exceptions without written superintendent approval.
- https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Rule category | Ground | Air |
Before
## Drone Rules - Kobuk Valley National Park **Drone flights are banned** in Kobuk Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the park - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from NPS - Western Arctic caribou herd migration and Great Kobuk Sand Dunes require protection ### Source - NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - Wilderness: ❌ Kobuk Valley Wilderness absolute motorized ban ## Geographic Boundaries Kobuk Valley National Park is located in the Kobuk Valley, Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, above the Arctic Circle. - Total area: ~1,750,717 acres - Coordinates: 67.3558° N, 159.1239° W - Includes Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (25 sq miles — largest active sand dunes in Arctic), Kobuk River (Wild & Scenic), and Western Arctic caribou migration corridor (~490,000 animals) - No roads access; bush plane or riverboat only - Nearest city: Kotzebue, AK (~75 miles southwest) ## 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) — subsistence rights of local communities - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Kobuk River - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide - Airspace: Class G; 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 - WSR corridor operations require additional review Submit requests to: Kobuk Valley NP Superintendent, 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752
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+ - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned + - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - Wilderness: ❌ Kobuk Valley Wilderness absolute motorized ban + Kobuk Valley National Park is located in the Kobuk Valley, + Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, above the Arctic Circle. + - Total area: ~1,750,717 acres + - Coordinates: 67.3558° N, 159.1239° W + - Includes Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (25 sq miles — largest active + sand dunes in Arctic), Kobuk River (Wild & Scenic), + and Western Arctic caribou migration corridor (~490,000 animals) + - No roads access; bush plane or riverboat only + - Nearest city: Kotzebue, AK (~75 miles southwest) + - Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — absolute motorized ban + - ANILCA (16 U.S.C. § 3101) — subsistence rights of local communities + - Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — Kobuk River + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide + - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace + - 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 + - WSR corridor operations require additional review + Submit requests to: Kobuk Valley NP Superintendent, + 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752
May 28, 2026 2:16 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone prohibition for Kobuk Valley NP with caribou migration context.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.95
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations in Kobuk Valley National Park, as per the National Park Service's regulations, and emphasizes the protection of Arctic wilderness and caribou migration routes.
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drones are prohibited in Kobuk Valley National Park per NPS closure order. Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and caribou migration are protected. | Drones are prohibited in Kobuk Valley National Park. Arctic wilderness and caribou migration routes. |
Before
## Drone Rules - Kobuk Valley National Park **Drone use is prohibited** in Kobuk Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the park - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from the NPS - The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic) and Western Arctic caribou herd migration routes are protected ### Source - Kobuk Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm
After
## Drone Rules - Kobuk Valley National Park **Drone flights are banned** in Kobuk Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone use within the park - Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from NPS - Western Arctic caribou herd migration and Great Kobuk Sand Dunes require protection ### Source - NPS UAS Policy: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
Show inline change markers
## Drone Rules - Kobuk Valley National Park ### Key Rules ### Source
May 28, 2026 1:40 AM
Approved
• Added NPS drone ban for Kobuk Valley NP with Arctic sand dunes and caribou context.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The updated rule now accurately reflects the prohibition of drone operations in Kobuk Valley National Park, emphasizing the protection of its unique Arctic sand dunes and caribou migration routes.
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 Kobuk Valley National Park per NPS closure order. Great Kobuk Sand Dunes and caribou migration are protected. |
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 - Kobuk Valley National Park **Drone use is prohibited** in Kobuk Valley National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within the park - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from the NPS - The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic) and Western Arctic caribou herd migration routes are protected ### Source - Kobuk Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm
Show inline change markers
+ **Drone use is prohibited** in Kobuk Valley National Park. + + ### Key Rules + - No recreational drone flights within the park + - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from the NPS + - The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes (the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic) and Western Arctic caribou herd migration routes are protected + + ### Source + - Kobuk Valley NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/rules.htm - https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.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 | — | 00616561-850d-4edc-93ae-e9b147733d48 |
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