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Drone Rules for New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Prince, West Virginia (WV) • United States
West Virginia, USA
Lat: 37.8707 • Lng: -81.0531
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 28, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at New River Gorge National Park under NPS regulations, controlled by the National Park Service. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit from the park superintendent. America's newest national park (designated 2020), the gorge's

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • WSR: ⚠️ New River Wild & Scenic corridor restrictions

Geographic Boundaries

New River Gorge National Park is located in Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, and Nicholas Counties, West Virginia.

  • Total area: ~72,808 acres
  • Coordinates: 37.8736° N, 81.0773° W
  • Includes New River Gorge Bridge (876 ft — longest steel arch bridge in Western Hemisphere), Grandview overlook, Grandview Rim Trail, and Sandstone Falls
  • New River designated Wild & Scenic River
  • Nearest city: Beckley, WV (~15 miles south)

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 within park
  • Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. § 1271) — New River corridor
  • National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — New River Gorge Bridge National Historic Landmark
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations nationwide
  • Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • WSR Act civil penalties for river corridor disturbance
  • NHPA penalties for historic bridge landmark disturbance
  • FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • Bridge Jump Day (Bridge Day festival): special operational restrictions apply — contact park for annual event rules
  • Historic research: NHPA + SHPO review required Submit requests to: New River Gorge NP Superintendent, 104 Main Street East, Glen Jean, WV 25846
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