Can you fly a drone in Ohio state parks?

Only with permission, or from a designated landing field. Under Ohio Administrative Code 1501:46-13-11 (effective January 1, 2025), flying a drone in an Ohio state park requires permission from the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft or the chief's agent, unless you use an airfield or landing zone maintained for drones. Separately, photographing or filming park activities, features or facilities from a drone also needs the chief's permission. Even with permission, you can't fly over beaches, boats, roadways or crowds. That includes popular parks such as Hocking Hills, Maumee Bay and Mohican.

Flying in an Ohio state park — Ohio state parks require permission from the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft unless you fly from a designated landing field, and never over beaches, boats, roads or crowds.

What the rule says in practice

No casual launches. You can't simply pull over at Old Man's Cave and launch a drone.
Designated fields. Some parks have areas set aside for model aircraft. Ask the park office whether one exists before you go.
Permission for everything else. Contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft well before your trip. Explain where, when and why you want to fly.
Commercial work such as weddings, real estate and filming usually needs a permit as well, plus a Part 107 certificate.

The rule covers every drone, including sub-250 g models.

Popular parks and what to expect

Hocking Hills State Park: narrow gorges, crowded trails and tall cliffs. Permission is unlikely during busy seasons, and recovering a drone from a gorge is difficult.
Lake Erie parks such as Maumee Bay, East Harbor and Kelleys Island: beaches and boats are off-limits for overflight.
Mohican State Park: the gorge and covered bridge area are busy in fall.

Other Ohio public land

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a National Park Service unit, where drones are banned.
Wayne National Forest generally allows recreational drones outside temporary flight restrictions. See drones in national forests.
Metro parks and city parks: Ohio's 2025 drone law (House Bill 77) lets local governments restrict recreational drones in or above parks they own. Rules vary by county; some allow flying, others need written permission or designated areas.

Ohio drone law

House Bill 77, in effect since 2025, makes it an offense to fly recklessly, interfere with first responders, or fly near critical facilities. Ohio has no state drone license; FAA rules decide what you need. More in Ohio drone laws.

Before you fly in Ohio

Pass the free TRUST test.
Register drones of 250 g or more at FAADroneZone.
Get park permission or use a designated field.
Check airspace. Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati have controlled airspace, where you need LAANC.

Once you have approval, the 249 g DJI Mini 5 Pro needs no recreational registration and its 1-inch sensor handles shaded gorges and fall color. ODNR's park rules are on ohiodnr.gov.

Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.