Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt follows the standard EXPLORE Act rules: eight or fewer with hand-carried gear means no permit; larger or supported shoots apply through the park.
Guidance, not legal advice
Drone Authority
Check the flight side
Rules answer the ground-photo side. Drone Authority handles the NPS flight ban, airspace, and legal flying nearby.
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Theodore Roosevelt National Park special use permits office
Cost: Fee varies, see the park permit page; location and cost-recovery fees apply when a permit is required
Processing: Contact the park ahead of any shoot that may need a permit
Groups of eight or fewer using hand-carried equipment in public areas, without exclusive use, resource impact, or added administrative cost, need no permit under the EXPLORE Act. Commercial, non-commercial, content creation, and news shoots are all treated the same. Permitted shoots apply with the NPS special use permit form linked on the park page.
Drone / airspace
Effectively banned: launching, landing, or operating a drone within park boundaries is prohibited
NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 directs each superintendent to close the park to drone use under 36 CFR 1.5. For airspace, Part 107, and legal flying nearby, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes for personal and editorial photography throughout the park
Standard visitor photography is welcome.
Practical notes
- The park is split into North and South Units about 70 road miles apart; plan them as separate shoots.
- Bison, feral horses (South Unit), and prairie dogs work the scenic loop roads; shoot from the vehicle or at distance.
- Painted Canyon overlook is right off I-94 and delivers at first and last light without a hike.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: