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Drone Rules for Colville National Forest

Ferry County, Washington (WA) • United States
Colville National Forest, Washington 99118, USA
Lat: 48.8832 • Lng: -118.768
Ground Not fully verified Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFS Colville NF in northeastern Washington has no designated Wilderness but borders the Colville Indian Reservation extensively. Tribal authorization is required for any UAS operating over reservation land.

Drone Rules - Colville NF, Washington

No Wilderness designation, but the Colville Indian Reservation (1.4 million acres) borders three sides of the forest; tribal government approval is required for reservation overflights.

Airspace / Site Context

  • The Colville Confederated Tribes operate tribally-managed forests adjacent to the USFS forest; boundaries are not always physically marked
  • Spokane International (GEG) Class C is ~60 NM south; Republic Airport (REP) Class G is the nearest local airport
  • Kettle Range and Selkirk Mountains in the forest have winter icing and sub-zero temperatures October-April

Key Rules

  • Contact Colville Confederated Tribes Natural Resources office before flying near reservation boundaries
  • USFS Special Use Permit required for commercial photography in national forest
  • Woodland caribou have been documented near the Selkirk Mountains border; spring disturbance avoidance recommended

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