Drones on the trail?

[jdavis7590]

I know that Drone usage in National Parks is now illegal but has anyone seen anyone using drones or micro drones on sections of the trail that do not reside withing National Park boarders possibly to capture aerial pics and videos? I have a micro drone about 3.5 inches square with a 3.0mp camera on it and wanted to bring it in order to obtain some shots in the areas where its legal to use one. Just not really sure if anyone else is and what percentage of the trail is not on National P:ark land... if any at all.

[squeezebox]

Drones are the only reason for hikers to carry handguns.

[colorado_rob]

this thread should be quite amusing....

[MuddyWaters]

I know that Drone usage in National Parks is now illegal but has anyone seen anyone using drones or micro drones on sections of the trail that do not reside withing National Park boarders possibly to capture aerial pics and videos? I have a micro drone about 3.5 inches square with a 3.0mp camera on it and wanted to bring it in order to obtain some shots in the areas where its legal to use one. Just not really sure if anyone else is and what percentage of the trail is not on National P:ark land... if any at all.

Umm...The AT IS a national park. Administered by NPS, covered by 36CFR. Yet still, they had to come out and explicitly declare that drones were prohibitied, because the world is awash with idiots.


Herein lies the root of many issues. With limited ground level oversight and enforcement, many assume there are no rules and they can do whatever they want.

If you google, you will see that drones and such are explicitly prohibited.

[Lone Wolf]

mcafee knob was filmed by drones for a walk in the woods movie

[jdavis7590]

Umm...The AT IS a national park. Administered by NPS, covered by 36CFR. Yet still, they had to come out and explicitly declare that drones were prohibitied, because the world is awash with idiots.


Herein lies the root of many issues. With limited ground level oversight and enforcement, many assume there are no rules and they can do whatever they want.

If you google, you will see that drones and such are explicitly prohibited.

Well if I didn't know any better Mud, I'd say you were calling me an idiot for simply asking a question.

[MuddyWaters]

Well if I didn't know any better Mud, I'd say you were calling me an idiot for simply asking a question.

At least you asked. The idiots dont. Many dont care, only concerned about playing with their toys.

While I think the fines are mostly modest, in other national parks people with defiant attitudes or that cause damage or leave a device crashed that cannot be retrieved, have been fined several thousand dollars.

In spite of publicizing this, the # of incidents is still increasing. Apparent;y the fines are high enough yet.

[mtntopper]

mcafee knob was filmed by drones for a walk in the woods movie

They had a permit to film. I know because I was there.

[gpburdelljr]

The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail, not a National Park. Nonetheless, drone use is prohibited just as it is in National Parks.

[MuddyWaters]

The Appalachian Trail is a National Scenic Trail, not a National Park. Nonetheless, drone use is prohibited just as it is in National Parks.

Things under the control and administered by the National Park Service include about 402 areas currently including:

National Parks
National scenic trails
National recreation areas
National recreation trails
National cemeterys
National heritage areas
National historic trails
National historic areas
National Rivers
National Seashores
National memorials
National Battlefields
National military parks
National Historic sites
National Preserves
National Monuments
National Parkways

You will find that for the most part, the same rules apply to all under 36 CFR. Individual special rules are in the compendium for each . These are all "parks", in that they are areas set aside for particular purposes, for the enjoyment of all. And BTW, drones are prohibited in all. The AT is not any special case.

[78owl]

My thoughts, If you have to bring your toys along, don't come! Play and stay at home.

[Lone Wolf]

My thoughts, If you have to bring your toys along, don't come! Play and stay at home.

99 out of 100 hikers bring their stupind electronic toys on the trail

[78owl]

The real question is, Why do they want to bring them?? Is it like a security blanket?

[Tuckahoe]

My thoughts, If you have to bring your toys along, don't come! Play and stay at home.

Who are you to tell anyone what they should leave home?

[Wise Old Owl]

non sequitur

[Slo-go'en]

On the practical side, the tree canopy which covers 99.9% of the trail would limit its use to the few open spots, typically scenic vistas. A small micro drone would have to be kept close as to not loose sight of it. In an open area like a cliff vista a sudden gust of wind could crash your drone into the trees where there is no way you could get to it. The lithium battery used to power these things is a fire hazard in a crashed drone.

While it would be a neat toy, the practical aspects alone make it not worth it. In the end, it adds weight and take up space better used for food.

[78owl]

So what are your thoughts "Tuckahoe"??

Who are you to tell anyone what they should leave home?

[George]

another thing to ship home

[mudsocks]

It's a fair question. A better is "How would ________ affect others around me?" The trail is a shared space with where most people go to escape civilization and connect with the outdoors. A drone buzzing overhead is not likely to be well received. Leave it at home.

[4eyedbuzzard]

So, I'm guessing that flying my drone to take pictures of me and my dog drinking champagne on the summit of Katahdin is probably not going to fly. Who thinks up all these stupid rules anyway? Killjoys.