No. Redwood National Park prohibits launching, landing or operating drones. The park is managed together with three California state parks, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del Norte Coast Redwoods and Jedediah Smith Redwoods, and drones aren't allowed in those either. That covers Fern Canyon, Tall Trees Grove, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Gold Bluffs Beach and the coastal overlooks.
Why drones are banned
The National Park Service has prohibited drones in park units since 2014 under 36 CFR 1.5. At Redwood, the reasons include:
- Endangered birds. Marbled murrelets nest high in old-growth redwoods, and northern spotted owls live in the forest.
- Roosevelt elk graze in the meadows at Prairie Creek and along the coast.
- Visitors on narrow trails and at crowded groves.
- Dense canopy. Flying under redwood branches means no GPS and a high chance of losing the drone.
Violations can bring up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine, and rangers can seize your drone. Sub-250 g drones are covered.
California state park rules
California State Parks allows drones unless a district superintendent has posted an order banning them. The North Coast Redwoods District order No. 2-635-31, effective June 13, 2022, says no one may launch, land or operate a drone in any park unit of the district, which runs the state redwood parks of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The district superintendent can grant written exceptions, including non-commercial use after a special use permit application. Drones are always banned in state wilderness and natural preserves. See California drone laws.
Where you can fly nearby
- Six Rivers National Forest to the east generally allows recreational drones outside designated wilderness and TFRs. The Siskiyou Wilderness and other wilderness areas are off-limits.
- Private land with the owner's permission, such as a rental in Orick, Klamath or Trinidad.
- Towns and beaches outside the parks: check city and county rules. Much of the coast is state park land, so confirm the boundary before launching.
- Tribal land: the Yurok Reservation borders the park along the Klamath River. Ask the tribe before flying.
Airspace
Del Norte County Airport in Crescent City and California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport near McKinleyville have nearby airspace. Check B4UFLY or Aloft before every flight, and get LAANC approval where needed. Wildfire TFRs are common inland in summer.
Getting the shot legally
The best way to show the scale of redwoods is from the ground: a wide lens, a person for scale and a tripod. Save the drone for coastal headlands outside the parks and for forest land where it's allowed.
Before you fly
- Pass the TRUST test.
- Register drones of 250 g or more with the FAA.
- Know the park boundaries, which mix federal and state land.
- Stay at or below 400 ft and in sight.
Coastal fog and drizzle are frequent, and our consumer drones aren't waterproof. On a clear day outside the parks, the 249 g DJI Mini 5 Pro needs no recreational registration. More parks: can you fly a drone in a national park.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
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- Can you fly a drone in Glacier National Park?
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