Drone Rules for North Cascades National Park

Name: North Cascades National Park
Address: Washington, USA, WA, US

Washington (WA) • United States

Washington, USA

Lat: 48.7718 • Lng: -121.298

Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026

Summary

North Cascades National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The remote park has the greatest concentration of glaciers in the contiguous US and is critical habitat for gray wolves and grizzly bear recovery.

Drone Rules - North Cascades National Park

All UAS operations are prohibited under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. Grizzly bear and gray wolf recovery operations in the park make drone disturbance an active wildlife management concern.

Airspace / Site Context

Bellingham International Airport (KBLI) Class C lies ~30 miles west
Park elevation up to 9,206 ft (Goode Mountain); glaciers above 5,000 ft
300+ glaciers in the park complex; most accessible US glaciers for climate research
Gray wolf and Canadian lynx (ESA threatened) habitat throughout the Cascades

Key Rules

No drone launches or operations within park boundaries
Grizzly bear reintroduction program (initiated 2024); strict drone prohibition to prevent habituation
Canadian lynx ESA critical habitat designation in park; aerial disturbance prohibited
Ross Lake and Lake Chelan NRAs adjacent to the park also prohibit drones under 36 CFR 1.5

Source

NPS North Cascades: https://www.nps.gov/noca

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Rule sources

https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/rules.htm
https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations within North Cascades National Park boundaries. No exceptions without written superintendent approval.
https://www.nps.gov/noca

Parent Rule Pages

United States
North Cascades National Park