Flying a Drone at Bear Mountain State Park

Location and Accessibility

Bear Mountain State Park is in Rockland and Orange Counties, approximately 50 miles north of Midtown Manhattan (60-90 minutes by car). It sits well outside the NYC Class B airspace core with generally more permissive LAANC ceilings.

State Park Drone Rules

Bear Mountain is managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. New York State has its own policies regarding drone use in state parks that may vary by park or region. Verify current policies directly with the park administration or NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation before planning a flight. Policies can change.

Airspace Considerations

• Check LAANC ceiling at specific planned flight location
• Check for active TFRs (VIP and other restrictions can extend well beyond NYC)
• Check for nearby airports or heliports
• Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh is approximately 20 miles north with its own airspace

Practical Considerations

Terrain includes hills, forests, and Hudson River waterfront. Varied topography can affect GPS reception and visual line of sight. Wind conditions at elevation may differ from ground level. Heavy visitor traffic on weekends and holidays may affect operations over people under Part 107 Subpart D.

NYPD Permit Not Required

Bear Mountain is outside NYC. The NYPD drone permit is not required. Federal regulations (Part 107, Remote ID, airspace authorization) and New York State law apply. State park-specific rules apply independently.