It is important to understand that land operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does not follow the same regulations as National Parks, which are managed by the National Park Service (NPS).

According to our research, drones may be flown on BLM property except for designated wilderness/primitive areas.

That said, localized exceptions may be in place, so we strongly recommend contacting the BLM office where you’re looking to fly and confirming the area of your flight is not a wilderness area.

If you’re told that there are restrictions outside of these areas, kindly ask to see them in written, published form.

Protecting visitors and the wilderness is a top priority for the BLM, here are some general rules/tips for responsible recreational use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) on BLM lands:

• Drones are prohibited from operating over designated wilderness/primitive Areas.
• Do not fly over or near wildlife
• When taking off and landing, remain 328 feet (100 meters) away from wildlife.
• The BLM often uses drones and manned aircraft at low altitudes for research and management purposes, be aware of planned operations and operate accordingly.

Of course, all drone operators must also adhere to the Federal Aviation Administration drone regulations as required when operating a drone anywhere within the U.S.