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Drone Rules for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Chincoteague, Virginia (VA) • United States
8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336, USA
Lat: 37.9087 • Lng: -75.3559
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Chincoteague NWR. The refuge protects the famous Assateague Island wild ponies and critical piping plover nesting beaches. Assateague Island National Seashore (NPS) is co-located.

Drone Rules - Chincoteague NWR, Virginia

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210; the co-located Assateague Island NS (NPS) also bans drones under 36 CFR 1.5.

Airspace / Site Context

  • The wild Assateague Island ponies (Chincoteague strain) roam the refuge; drone disturbance triggers herd panic with documented foal injuries
  • Piping plover (threatened) and least tern (state endangered) nest on Tom's Cove beach April-August
  • Salisbury Regional (SBY) Class D is ~30 NM west; Ocean City (OCE) Class D is ~10 NM north

Key Rules

  • Both USFWS and NPS jurisdiction cover different parcels of the island; drones are prohibited under both agencies' rules
  • Annual pony swim (July) draws thousands of spectators; zero-tolerance enforcement during the event
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required for research; NPS permit separately required if crossing into Seashore parcels

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