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National Park Service
Metal detecting Not allowed
Possessing or using a metal detector anywhere in a national park unit is prohibited. You may carry one through the park only if it is broken down and packed so it can't be used.
- Permit
- No recreational permit exists; the only exceptions are authorized scientific, mining or administrative uses.
- Sources
- ecfr.gov
- Notes
- 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7); exceptions in (a)(7)(i)-(iii).
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones Not allowed
Launching, landing or operating a drone on NPS lands and waters is banned by default. Each park superintendent applies the ban under 36 CFR 1.5 per Policy Memorandum 14-05. Flying over a park from outside its boundary is an FAA airspace matter, but harassing wildlife or causing a nuisance can still be cited.
- Permit
- Ask the park superintendent; a park may designate an area or issue a special use permit, but this is rare. Violations are misdemeanors (up to 6 months / $5,000).
- Sources
- nps.gov · ecfr.gov
- Notes
- Check each park's Superintendent's Compendium for any designated exception. Also relevant: 36 CFR 2.2 (wildlife), 2.34 (disorderly), 2.12(a)(3) (portable motors), 2.17 (aircraft).
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones also follow FAA rules.
Machine-readable: /api/federal/nps.json