No, not from the ground inside one. In designated wilderness areas, the Wilderness Act of 1964 prohibits landing aircraft and using mechanized transport, and land agencies apply that to drones: you can't take off, land or operate a drone from inside a wilderness boundary. Much of the national forest and BLM land around wilderness areas does allow drones, so you can often fly legally just outside the boundary.
Why drones are banned in wilderness
Wilderness areas are managed to stay "untrammeled by man", with no motors, roads or mechanical transport. The law specifically bars landing aircraft, and agencies treat a drone as both an aircraft and a motorized device. Wilderness exists in many national forests, BLM areas, national wildlife refuges and national parks.
The agency rules
- US Forest Service: drones can't take off or land in designated wilderness. Outside wilderness, national forests generally allow recreational drones. See can you fly a drone in a national forest.
- Bureau of Land Management: BLM wilderness and wilderness study areas carry similar limits. Other BLM land is generally open to drones.
- National Park Service: drones are banned in all National Park System units without a permit, wilderness or not. See national parks.
- National wildlife refuges: generally restrict drone use. Check the refuge's rules.
What about flying over wilderness from outside?
The Wilderness Act limits landing and mechanized use inside the area. Launching from outside and flying over isn't addressed the same way, but managers discourage it because drones disturb wildlife and visitors seeking quiet, and harassing wildlife is illegal. The FAA also asks pilots of all aircraft to avoid low flight over wilderness and other noise-sensitive areas. Our advice: don't fly over wilderness, and don't let your drone drop into it.
How to know where the boundary is
- Check the national forest or BLM office's maps; wilderness boundaries are marked.
- Use a topo or mapping app with public land layers that show wilderness.
- Look for boundary signs on trails.
- When unsure, call the ranger district.
Before you fly near wilderness
- Check B4UFLY or Aloft for temporary flight restrictions, especially wildfire TFRs. Never fly near a wildfire.
- Stay at or below 400 ft and keep the drone in sight.
- Give wildlife plenty of room. See drones and wildlife rules.
- Follow FAA rules: TRUST or Part 107, and registration if 250 g or more.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the managing agency (Forest Service, BLM, NPS or Fish and Wildlife Service) for the area you plan to visit.
Heading into the backcountry? A light drone packs best; see best drone for travel.
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