I’m heading to Utah soon and not sure about the rules for flying drones there. Do I need a permit? I’m not from the US, so I’m trying to figure out how this works.
Are you from the US?
Jay said:
Are you from the US?
No, I’m visiting from another country.
You can’t fly drones in national parks, so that’s a big restriction in Utah.
Wyatt said:
You can’t fly drones in national parks, so that’s a big restriction in Utah.
It’s tough to own a drone in Utah… so many amazing views, but most of them are off-limits for flying.
@Dani
Yeah, rules are rules though. Nothing we can do about it.
Drone airspace is regulated by the FAA, so you can fly in uncontrolled or some controlled airspace if you follow basic rules. These include being certified, having your drone registered, and maintaining line of sight.
Local governments can restrict where you take off or land but not the airspace itself. For example, if a city park has restrictions, you can take off from nearby land that doesn’t have those rules and still fly over the park.
However, national parks are a different story—you can’t take off, land, or fly over them.
If you’re visiting during the off-season (November to March), you can apply for a $10 permit to fly in Utah state parks. You’d need to go to the visitor center and fill out the form: Utah State Parks Drone Permit.
But as others said, flying in national parks is not allowed, and standard FAA rules apply everywhere else.
@Lake
Can someone who isn’t a US citizen get a drone license? Does it take long? I’m only in Utah for about a week.
Storm said:
@Lake
Can someone who isn’t a US citizen get a drone license? Does it take long? I’m only in Utah for about a week.
Yes, you can register your drone with the FAA even if you’re not a US citizen. The process is quick and straightforward—you just need to create an account.
I live in Utah and just got a DJI Mavic 3 Pro. Following this thread because Utah has some stunning scenery, and I’d love to capture it with my drone. It’s such an underrated place for nature.
Hey there, I live in Utah, have a Commercial Part 107 license, and flew recreationally before that.
If you are visiting the US, your drone must be Remote ID compliant, and registered through the FAAdronezone website. You must obtain a TRUST certificate for recreational flyers (10 questions, impossible to fail) and keep it with you, follow the recreational guidelines as outlined by the aforementioned TRUST, and you must file an NOI (Notice of Identification) with the FAA when bringing a drone to the states from another country.
To fly specifically in Utah, most State Parks allow drones with a $10 permit from October to March during the off season (permit applications can be found on the state parks website), and it’s prohibited to fly in National Parks or Congressionally Designated Wilderness Areas (which accounts for approximately 80% of the local mountain ranges). There are also drone privacy laws in Utah which just say you can’t violate anyone’s privacy with a drone.
There are several Class G uncontrolled airspace areas you can fly, though. Most city parks are ok as long as you’re not within 5 miles of an airport or military base and don’t mind people watching you. I’ve occasionally had the police park nearby and wait until I packed up and left. But as long as you’re following the rules, they just observe.
Check B4UFly approved apps listed on the FAA’s website. It’s a bit tricky as sometimes they willl indicate the airspace is cleared to fly, but you can’t actually fly if another law or regulation supercedes it. For example: B4UFly app says it’s ok, but it’s a Congressionally Designated Wilderness Area which prohibits drones entirely. Just be sure to look at the notices the apps provide for the area.
This YouTube video does a good job of breaking it all down: https://youtu.be/f-Mu-CRvWPQ?si=ZVn_IzZUsLwUM9jq
Hope that’s helpful. Safe travels.