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Drone Rules for Olympic National Park

Port Angeles, Washington (WA) • United States
3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
Lat: 47.8021 • Lng: -123.604
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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Olympic National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park encompasses temperate rainforest, alpine terrain, and 73 miles of wilderness coastline — one of the most ecologically diverse NPS units.

Drone Rules - Olympic National Park

All UAS operations are prohibited under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park's diversity across coastal, rainforest, and alpine ecosystems makes wildlife disturbance a complex concern.

Airspace / Site Context

  • William R. Fairchild International Airport (KCLM) Class D near Port Angeles
  • Park spans the Olympic Peninsula from sea level to 7,980 ft (Mount Olympus)
  • Elwha River dam removal (2011-2014) produced one of the largest salmon recovery projects in history
  • Northern spotted owl (ESA threatened) old-growth forest habitat throughout the park

Key Rules

  • No drone operations anywhere in the park including beach and coastal wilderness sections
  • Northern spotted owl nesting season restrictions apply February-August
  • Marbled murrelet (ESA threatened) nests in old-growth canopy; aerial disturbance prohibited
  • Wilderness Act designation over much of the park adds supplemental prohibition

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