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Drone Rules for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (WV) • United States
171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
Lat: 39.3178 • Lng: -77.7581
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, the park falls within the Washington D.C. Special Flight R

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • DC SFRA: ⚠️ Washington D.C. SFRA proximity — military intercept risk
  • NHL: ⚠️ Multiple National Historic Landmark designations

Geographic Boundaries

Harpers Ferry NHP is located in Jefferson County, West Virginia, Loudoun County, Virginia, and Washington County, Maryland.

  • Total area: ~3,745 acres
  • Coordinates: 39.3231° N, 77.7369° W
  • Includes Lower Town Historic District, John Brown's Fort, Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, and Loudoun Heights
  • ~65 miles west of Washington D.C. — within DC SFRA
  • Nearest city: Charles Town, WV (~5 miles west)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
  • Washington D.C. SFRA — 14 CFR § 93.335; within 60 NM of DCA; TSA security clearance + FAA authorization required
  • NHPA (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — National Historic Landmark; John Brown's Fort and Lower Town Historic District
  • ARPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aa) — Civil War battlefield archaeology
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • DC SFRA violation: immediate military intercept + federal criminal prosecution + certificate revocation
  • NHPA penalties for historic landmark disturbance
  • ARPA: fines up to $20,000 + 2 years imprisonment
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • DC SFRA: mandatory TSA security clearance + FAA authorization
  • Historic research: NHPA + WV/VA/MD SHPO review required Submit requests to: Harpers Ferry NHP Superintendent, 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
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Rule sources
  • https://www.nps.gov/hafe/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations. Washington D.C. SFRA under 14 CFR § 93.335 adds military intercept risk, TSA clearance requirement, NHPA National Historic Landmark, and ARPA Civil War battlefield archaeology protections.
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