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Drone Rules for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg, Tennessee (tn) • United States
United States
Lat: 35.613 • Lng: -83.5532
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drones are prohibited throughout Great Smoky Mountains. Most-visited national park with strict NPS enforcement.

Drone Rules - Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee side)

Drone use is banned throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Key Rules

  • No recreational drone flights from any trailhead or overlook on the Tennessee side
  • Commercial filming requires a Special Use Permit from NPS
  • Clingmans Dome and Alum Cave Trail are popular areas where violations are common -- enforcement is active

Source

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Rule sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations. Wilderness Act, NHPA UNESCO World Heritage Site, and MBTA 240+ bird species neotropical migrant protections add multi-layer federal restrictions.
  • https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/rules.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations. Wilderness Act, NHPA UNESCO World Heritage Site, and MBTA 240+ bird species neotropical migrant protections add multi-layer federal restrictions.
Parent Rule Pages