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Drone Rules for Vale do Shenandoah

Condado de Rockingham, Virgínia (VA) • Estados Unidos
Vale do Shenandoah, Virgínia 22802, EUA
Lat: 38.4835 • Lng: -78.8497

Rules Edit History: Vale do Shenandoah

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May 29, 2026 1:22 AM Approved • Added drone restriction profile for George Washington & Jefferson NF wilderness areas based on USFS 36 CFR § 261.10, Wilderness Act 16 U.S.C. § 1131, and FAA 14 CFR Part 107.
Author: e8be7a99-29f2-421e-95ec-190919c58f9b (1091)
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Sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uaspolicy.htm — USFS regulations under 36 CFR § 261.10, Wilderness Act 16 U.S.C. § 1131, and FAA 14 CFR Part 107 prohibit all drone operations in George Washington & Jefferson National Forest wilderness areas.
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Flight status Unknown NoFly
Summary — Drone operations are strictly prohibited in designated wilderness areas of George Washington & Jefferson National Forests under USFS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit USFS Special Use Permit.
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## Authorization Status
- Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned in wilderness zones
- Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFS Special Use Permit
- Wilderness: ❌ Multiple Wilderness Act designations

## Geographic Boundaries
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests span Virginia,
West Virginia, and Kentucky.
- Total area: ~1,800,000 acres
- Coordinates: 38.0000° N, 79.5000° W
- Includes Ramseys Draft Wilderness, Rich Hole Wilderness,
  Kimberling Creek Wilderness, and Peters Mountain Wilderness
- Nearest city: Roanoke, VA (forest headquarters)

## Regulations
- 36 CFR § 261.10 — USFS prohibition on motorized equipment
- 36 CFR § 251.50 — USFS Special Use Permit requirements
- Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — multiple wilderness designations
- FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
- Airspace: Class G throughout most wilderness areas

## Penalties
- USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
- Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
- FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
- Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers

## Special Permissions
- USFS Special Use Permit from relevant Ranger District
- Scientific wilderness research exemption permit
Submit requests to: USFS George Washington & Jefferson NF,
5162 Valleypointe Pkwy, Roanoke, VA 24019
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+ ## Authorization Status
+ - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned in wilderness zones
+ - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without USFS Special Use Permit
+ - Wilderness: ❌ Multiple Wilderness Act designations
+ 
+ ## Geographic Boundaries
+ George Washington & Jefferson National Forests span Virginia,
+ West Virginia, and Kentucky.
+ - Total area: ~1,800,000 acres
+ - Coordinates: 38.0000° N, 79.5000° W
+ - Includes Ramseys Draft Wilderness, Rich Hole Wilderness,
+   Kimberling Creek Wilderness, and Peters Mountain Wilderness
+ - Nearest city: Roanoke, VA (forest headquarters)
+ 
+ ## Regulations
+ - 36 CFR § 261.10 — USFS prohibition on motorized equipment
+ - 36 CFR § 251.50 — USFS Special Use Permit requirements
+ - Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. § 1131) — multiple wilderness designations
+ - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
+ - Airspace: Class G throughout most wilderness areas
+ 
+ ## Penalties
+ - USFS fines up to $5,000 per violation under 36 CFR § 261.10
+ - Wilderness Act: fines up to $5,000 + 6 months imprisonment
+ - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
+ - Equipment confiscation by USFS rangers
+ 
+ ## Special Permissions
+ - USFS Special Use Permit from relevant Ranger District
+ - Scientific wilderness research exemption permit
+ Submit requests to: USFS George Washington & Jefferson NF,
+ 5162 Valleypointe Pkwy, Roanoke, VA 24019