Maryland drone rules: what’s new in October 2026
Published October 16, 2026. Each month we round up the Maryland drone rules we added or re-confirmed with the agency in charge. Every item links to its full page with the source, the date it was checked and a map.
Baltimore County parks: no drones for now
Baltimore County Recreation & Parks confirmed in writing on October 16 that drones are not currently allowed in county parks. The county is writing a drone policy, so this may change. A county web listing that shows one park allowing drones is out of date. If you want somewhere to fly in the county, the department points pilots to the Southwest Area Park Modelers’ flying field. State parks in Baltimore County follow state rules instead (see below). Full rule
Pax River: south of St. Mary’s Airport needs permission
NAS Patuxent River’s public affairs office confirmed in writing on October 15 that flying anywhere south of St. Mary’s County Regional Airport needs Pax River’s permission, because the airspace there is restricted. Requests still have to go in at least 10 business days ahead. Full rule
Gunpowder Falls and four more state parks: contact the manager first
Gunpowder Falls State Park confirmed in writing on October 15 that pilots must contact the park manager before flying, ideally with a week’s notice. Avoid crowded areas and events, and check FAA airspace yourself, since parts of the park are near airports and military facilities. The same rules apply at the other parks it manages, so they’re now on DroneCompass too:
- Gunpowder Falls State Park
- North Point State Park
- North Point State Battlefield
- Hart-Miller Island State Park (boat access only)
- Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail
Howard County parks: permit required
Howard County Recreation & Parks confirmed in writing on October 14 that you need the county’s permission, through its Photo & Drone Permit, before flying in a county-owned park. No flying over people. Full rule and permit link
Anne Arundel County parks: designated areas
Anne Arundel County Recreation & Parks confirmed by phone on October 14 that its paid regional parks have designated drone areas; get a map at the park office. A 2026 county law (Bill 11-26) also calls for a permit to fly from a county park, and we’re still confirming how that permit works. Full rule
National wildlife refuges: off limits
Federal rules prohibit launching, landing or disturbing wildlife with a drone on every national wildlife refuge, including Blackwater, Eastern Neck and Patuxent Research Refuge. Drone apps may not show refuge boundaries. Full rule
Rocks State Park: prior approval
Confirmed in writing on October 8: flights are allowed only with prior approval from park management, granted case by case. That covers Falling Branch (Kilgore Falls) and Hidden Valley too. Full rule
Still waiting to hear back
We’ve asked these agencies for their current drone rules and will add them once they answer: Baltimore City Recreation & Parks, Montgomery Parks, Prince George’s County parks, and several more state parks, including Cunningham Falls, Deep Creek Lake, Elk Neck, Point Lookout, Calvert Cliffs, Assateague State Park and Greenwell.
Before every flight
Rules change. Check the full page for the spot you’re launching from, confirm with the park or agency, and check airspace in the FAA’s B4UFLY app. Know of a rule we’re missing or one that changed? Use the “Report a change” link on any page.