Banned in Banff: 2025 Drone Laws and $25,000 Fines Every Visitor Should Know

Key Takeaways

• Drones are generally banned in Banff National Park. All recreational drone use is prohibited within the park, as Banff (and all Canadian national parks) are designated “no drone zones” parks.canada.ca advnture.com. Visitors should leave their drones at home to avoid hefty penalties.
• Federal law backs the park ban. Transport Canada classifies drones as aircraft, and it’s illegal to take off or land a drone in a national park without permission parks.canada.ca tc.canada.ca. Parks Canada regulations require a Restricted Activity Permit for any drone operation in the park parks.canada.ca.
• Recreational vs. commercial use: Recreational (hobby) flying of drones is completely forbidden in Banff National Park parks.canada.ca. Commercial or research use is only allowed by special permit and solely for limited purposes that benefit park management (e.g. wildlife research, park operations, emergency services) parks.canada.ca banff.ca. No permits are issued for personal enjoyment or general tourism filming.
• Strict permit requirements: To fly a drone legally in Banff, you must apply for a Restricted Activity Permit from the park superintendent, with a detailed proposal justifying that your drone use serves an approved purpose (conservation, public safety, etc.) parks.canada.ca. If granted, only licensed drone pilots meeting Transport Canada requirements may operate, and flights are tightly controlled in time and location banff.ca.
• Exceptions are very limited: The only drone operations typically permitted are for park management, scientific research, wildlife monitoring, law enforcement, or emergency responses parks.canada.ca. Even film productions and commercial projects face high scrutiny – drones for entertainment or promotional filming are not approved unless they align with Parks Canada’s mission and management plan banff.ca.
• Heavy fines and enforcement: Flying a drone without authorization in Banff can lead to fines as high as $25,000 under the Canada National Parks Act parks.canada.ca. Park wardens actively enforce the ban: offenders have been caught through on-site patrols and even by tracking social media posts of drone footage. Recent cases have seen tourists fined $500–$1,000 for illegal drone flights, with authorities sometimes confiscating the drone or its memory cards as evidence banff.ca.
• No recent policy loosening: As of 2025, the ban remains firmly in place. Parks Canada continues to emphasize that drones disturb wildlife and visitors, which is why the prohibition is strictly upheld parks.canada.ca. In 2025, officials in Banff and other parks issued public reminders about the ban and its penalties unofficialnetworks.com unofficialnetworks.com. New national drone regulations in Canada (e.g. for advanced operations) do not override the park’s drone ban tc.canada.ca. In short, if you’re visiting Banff, don’t plan on flying a drone without explicit park permission.

Drone Use in Banff National Park: General Prohibition

Banff National Park completely forbids recreational drone flying. This rule isn’t unique to Banff – all 37 of Canada’s national parks are officially “no drone zones” for the public parks.canada.ca advnture.com. In practical terms, this means visitors may not launch, fly, or land an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) anywhere within the park’s boundaries for fun or personal purposes. The policy has been in effect for several years and stems from serious concerns about safety and wildlife. Drones might seem harmless, but Parks Canada has found they can pose risks to people, harass wildlife, and spoil the natural peace that visitors expect parks.canada.ca banff.ca. Low-flying drones can startle animals (potentially causing injury or nest abandonment) and annoy other park users seeking tranquility. For these reasons, Parks Canada strictly limits drone use in all its protected areas parks.canada.ca.

It’s important to understand that under Canadian federal law, drones are considered “aircraft.” The Aeronautics Act and Transport Canada’s regulations treat UAVs similarly to manned planes or helicopters parks.canada.ca. Therefore, flying a drone isn’t just a casual hobby – it’s an aviation activity subject to both aviation rules and park-specific rules. In national parks like Banff, the National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations make it illegal to take off or land any aircraft (including a drone) without permission parks.canada.ca. In short, the default stance is no drone operations are allowed in Banff National Park unless you have formal authorization. Even the Town of Banff’s local bylaws mirror this restriction; the airspace over the town (which lies inside the park) is off-limits to drones to comply with Parks Canada rules and to avoid conflicts with heliports (e.g. emergency rescue helicopters) in the area banff.ca. The bottom line for a tourist or amateur pilot is clear: do not plan on using a drone anywhere in Banff National Park, or you could face serious consequences.

Federal Laws and Parks Canada Regulations

Federal drone laws set the baseline for where and how drones can be flown in Canada, and Parks Canada’s regulations add an extra layer of restriction within national parks. Under Transport Canada’s nationwide rules, drone pilots must follow requirements based on their drone’s weight and the operation’s risk level. For example, most drones over 250 grams require the operator to be licensed and to respect controlled airspace and distance limits from people and aerodromes. However, even if you are a fully certified drone pilot, those credentials do not entitle you to fly in Banff National Park without park approval. Transport Canada explicitly notes that “drone pilots are not allowed to take-off or land within a national park” unless a park superintendent has granted permission tc.canada.ca. The Canadian Aviation Regulations (Part IX) govern general drone use, but they defer to park-specific rules when it comes to national parks. So while you might legally fly a drone in many places in Canada by following altitude limits and avoiding airports, Banff’s park boundaries are essentially a no-fly zone.

The Parks Canada regulations derive from the Canada National Parks Act and associated statutes. The National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations make it unlawful to conduct a take-off or landing in a park without a permit, except in designated locations or emergencies laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Since Banff has no designated drone flying zones, that means any recreational drone flight would violate these rules. Parks Canada has broadly communicated that “all Parks Canada places are ‘no drone zones’ for recreational use” parks.canada.ca. In Banff’s official materials, they clearly state: “Recreational drone flying is prohibited across all Parks Canada locations. Please do not fly your drone in the park.” parks.canada.ca This directive applies 24/7, year-round – there is no “drone season” or allowable time of day for hobby flights. The only sliver of allowance falls under the permitting system for non-recreational purposes (covered in the next section).

It’s worth noting that the drone ban covers all types of UAVs, regardless of size or camera capabilities. Some hobbyists mistakenly think that tiny drones or those under 250 g (which are exempt from some Transport Canada rules) might be allowed. This is not the case in national parks. Parks Canada’s restriction is about protecting the park environment and visitor experience, so any drone – big or small, recreational or commercial – is forbidden without a permit parks.canada.ca. Even drone models that might be considered “toys” can disturb wildlife or other visitors, so they fall under the ban. The Town of Banff and Parks Canada post signage at trailheads and viewpoints to remind visitors that drones are not allowed, and park staff frequently educate the public on this rule.

In summary, federal law and park regulations work together to outlaw casual drone use in Banff. Transport Canada’s rules ensure drone pilots operate safely in Canadian airspace, but Banff National Park’s rules go further by declaring the park off-limits to drones entirely (unless special permission is granted). This combined legal framework gives park wardens the authority to stop drone flights and issue penalties, backed by federal penalties for violators. If you’re a drone enthusiast traveling to Banff, the federal and park laws both send a clear message: keep the drone packed away while you’re in the park.

Recreational vs. Commercial Drone Operations

While the rule in Banff applies to all drones, Parks Canada does distinguish between recreational and non-recreational (e.g. commercial or research) use when it comes to issuing permits. In practice, recreational drone flying is flat-out banned with no exceptions – there is no permit you can obtain just to fly for fun or to take personal photos/videos parks.canada.ca. On the other hand, commercial, academic, or other non-recreational drone uses might be allowed on a case-by-case basis, but only under a strict permit system and only for specific purposes that serve the park’s interests parks.canada.ca.

It’s important to clarify definitions here. In the context of national parks, “recreational use” means flying a drone as a hobby or for personal enjoyment, with no broader project or benefit to the park. This category covers tourists wanting aerial selfies, hobby photographers, or anyone flying just for fun. Parks Canada has zero tolerance for this: no personal or recreational drone flight is permitted in Banff National Park parks.canada.ca. Even if you are an experienced hobby pilot with a registered drone and a basic Transport Canada pilot certificate, you cannot fly for recreation in the park. The park’s stance is essentially: enjoy the scenery with your own eyes, not through a drone.

“Commercial” or authorized use, by contrast, refers to flying a drone for an objective related to work, research, or park management – and even then, it’s not broadly allowed, but considered only under permit. It’s a bit of a misnomer to say “commercial” because permits are not granted for typical commercial purposes like filming a tourism video or real estate footage unless those projects clearly align with the park’s goals. In Banff, commercial drone use is explicitly “by permit only” parks.canada.ca. The park superintendent will only issue a permit for a drone if the activity falls into certain narrow categories (discussed in the next section) – effectively these are non-recreational uses that benefit the park’s stewardship or operations.

One key difference between recreational and permitted non-recreational drone operations is that permit holders must be qualified and licensed. While a casual tourist might not need any license to fly a small drone outside the park, within Banff any approved drone operator must meet Transport Canada’s licensing requirements (usually an Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate if operating in complex environments or near people) banff.ca. Banff’s rules note that permits are issued only to “licensed pilots” who also follow Transport Canada rules banff.ca. In other words, even beyond the park’s permission, you need to have all your federal paperwork and safety knowledge in order. Recreational users can’t even get to this stage – since there are no recreational permits, there’s no scenario where a tourist without a drone license can legally fly in the park.

To put it simply: If you’re flying just for fun or personal memories, Banff is off-limits. If you have a professional or scientific reason to fly, you’ll face a high bar to prove it’s necessary and beneficial – and even then, you must be fully certified and abide by strict flight conditions. Parks Canada deliberately makes this distinction to prevent casual flying while still allowing rare cases where drones might legitimately help in park management or research. The next section explains how the permit process works for those rare exceptions.

Permit Requirements and Special Authorization Process

Because drone use in Banff National Park is tightly controlled, anyone who believes they have a valid reason to fly a drone in the park must go through a rigorous permit application process. Parks Canada uses what’s called a Restricted Activity Permit (RAP) system for drones. Essentially, flying a drone is defined as a “restricted activity” in national parks, so you need an official permit to do it legally parks.canada.ca. This isn’t a simple online form you can fill out for a quick permit – it’s a carefully evaluated request that needs to convince the park superintendent that your drone flight is necessary and beneficial for the park.

How to apply: Prospective drone operators must submit a detailed written proposal to the Banff National Park superintendent’s office (via a provided email address) well in advance of any planned flights parks.canada.ca. In that proposal, you must explain exactly what you intend to do and which allowed purpose it serves. Banff’s rules state that you must “clearly demonstrate” how your drone use supports one of the permitted categories (like research or public safety) before they will even consider approval parks.canada.ca. Simply wanting to get beautiful footage or promote a business is not enough – the project needs to align with park management goals. For example, a scientist might propose using a drone to survey an alpine meadow for ecological research, or Parks Canada staff might plan to use a drone to search for lost hikers (public safety). These would be the kind of proposals tied to the approved purposes (detailed below).

When reviewing a permit request, the superintendent will check that the purpose fits one of the officially allowed categories (see next section) and that the operator is qualified. The applicant would likely need to show proof of their Transport Canada drone pilot certification, drone registration, and an operational plan that addresses safety (e.g. not flying near visitors or wildlife, not flying over busy areas, etc.). Parks Canada may also impose specific conditions on any approved permit – such as limiting the flight to certain areas or times of day, requiring supervision by park staff, or restricting how footage can be used. Banff’s policy mentions that permits come with “limited time and location” permissions banff.ca, meaning even if you get a permit, it will spell out exactly when and where you can fly; you cannot roam freely with your drone.

It’s also noteworthy that certain times of year, permits might not be issued at all for particular activities. For instance, Banff (along with neighboring parks Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, etc.) has guidelines for commercial filming that state no commercial film permits are granted during the busy summer season (usually June 1 to Sept 30) parks.canada.ca. This is a general film/photography policy to limit disruptions during peak visitation. Practically, that means if your drone use is part of a film project, you wouldn’t even be able to apply for summer filming with a drone. Parks often avoid any extra disturbances in high season when wildlife and visitor numbers are at their peak.

No recreational permits: It bears repeating that Banff does not issue any drone permits for recreation or tourism purposes. There is no mechanism to get permission just to film your hike or get a cool aerial shot for personal use. The permit system exists solely for uses that serve park operations or conservation. Banff’s own communications emphasize that they will not approve drone use for “promotional reasons or entertainment” banff.ca. In fact, park authorities explicitly state that because illegal recreational drone use has been a problem, they are even more cautious about allowing commercial requests that resemble recreation or pure entertainment banff.ca. So if a filmmaker or influencer wanted to use a drone for a travel video, the park would almost certainly deny it unless the content somehow contributes to public education about the park and aligns with park values.

In summary, the path to legally fly a drone in Banff is narrow and steep: you need a purpose that matches the park’s mandate, a written proposal that passes scrutiny, a permit in hand, and the appropriate pilot credentials. For the vast majority of park visitors and typical drone uses, this process is a barrier that effectively means no drone flying will be allowed. Parks Canada’s goal is to ensure that only in exceptional cases – where the benefits of drone use outweigh the risks – will a drone take to the air in Banff’s skies.

Exceptions: Scientific Research, Wildlife Monitoring, and Other Permitted Uses

What are the specific scenarios where a drone might be allowed in Banff National Park? Parks Canada has outlined a short list of purposes for which the park superintendent may issue a drone permit. These are generally operational, scientific, or emergency-related activities that help manage and protect the park. According to Banff’s official policy, the superintendent can issue a Restricted Activity Permit for drone use only for the following purposes parks.canada.ca:

• Natural or cultural resource management and protection: This covers scientific research and monitoring of the park’s environment or heritage. For example, a drone could be used to survey wildlife populations, monitor forest health, map invasive plant species, or document archaeological sites, if those activities are part of an approved research project or conservation program parks.canada.ca. A university researcher or Parks Canada scientist might fall under this exception, using a drone as a tool to gather data that helps protect the park’s ecosystems or historic resources. In practical terms, this is likely how scientific research and wildlife monitoring exceptions would apply. Indeed, drones can sometimes do things like count animals from the air or access remote areas with less disturbance than a human team might cause – but such flights would be carefully planned and authorized by Parks Canada for resource management goals.
• Public safety: Drones could be employed in scenarios that involve search and rescue operations, finding lost persons, detecting wildfires, or assessing natural hazards. In Banff’s rugged terrain, a drone could potentially help locate a stranded hiker or give park wardens an eye in the sky during a rescue, which is why this exception exists parks.canada.ca. Similarly, after a major avalanche or flood, drones might be used to safely scout damage or look for people in distress. Public safety use is inherently not recreational – it would likely be park staff, rescue teams, or other authorized agencies operating the drone to protect human life or health.
• Law enforcement: This could involve park wardens or other enforcement officers using drones for surveillance or evidence gathering related to illegal activities (like wildlife poaching or spotting unauthorized fires) parks.canada.ca. While not common, it is conceivable that a drone could help enforce park regulations by providing aerial perspective (for example, monitoring an area closed to prevent illegal entry). Again, this would be done by Parks Canada enforcement personnel under strict controls.
• Park or site management (administrative purposes): This is a broad category that might include things like filming or photographing for park communications, planning, or infrastructure inspection parks.canada.ca. For example, Parks Canada might use a drone to capture footage for an official educational video or to inspect a remote backcountry facility or trail condition. If the park needed to check a rockslide area or count cars in a parking lot from above for management purposes, those might fall here. Essentially, this allows drones when the park itself is doing something for its own operations or promotions that align with its mandate (like creating interpretive material).

Notably absent from these categories is any general commercial entertainment use. So, a film crew shooting a car commercial, a tourism company wanting flashy aerial shots, or a YouTuber vlogging their adventure would not qualify unless they managed to tie their project to one of the above purposes (which is unlikely, unless the content is specifically about park conservation or education). Banff officials have stated that if a film request doesn’t help achieve targets in the park’s management plan, it’s unlikely to be approved banff.ca. In other words, permits for film production are only given if the project serves the park’s interests – for example, a documentary on wildlife conservation might get consideration, whereas a travel vlog or commercial movie scene probably would not.

There are also implicit exceptions for emergencies. The park regulations allow aircraft (and by extension, drones) to land or operate in true emergencies without prior permit – for instance, a medical evacuation helicopter can land anywhere necessary. By extension, if there were an urgent need for a drone (say, a last-resort search for a missing person in a life-threatening scenario), the law provides flexibility to respond. These aren’t so much “permits” as they are common-sense exemptions for crisis situations. Indeed, one of the limited circumstances mentioned for drone use is “emergency/public safety” which implies that if lives are at stake, a drone might be deployed under authority of the park or rescue teams without the normal permit process banff.ca.

It’s worth mentioning that Parks Canada itself sometimes uses drones or contracts drone work for its approved purposes. For example, Parks Canada staff have used drones in some parks to conduct controlled burns monitoring or to create high-resolution maps of hiking trails. These are done under the umbrella of the rules we’ve discussed – essentially, Parks Canada is granting itself (or its partners) permission in line with those same four categories. Visitors should not misconstrue that to mean they can do the same; when you see a drone in the park, it almost certainly has official authorization behind it (and could even be a Parks Canada warden or researcher operating it).

In summary, the only drone flights you might see or hear about in Banff are ones serving the park’s protection and operations, such as scientific studies, wildlife surveys, search and rescue missions, law enforcement patrols, or very selective film projects that aid the park’s educational goals. All of these require permits and oversight. If your planned drone use doesn’t clearly fit one of these exception categories, it will not be approved – and attempting it without approval is illegal.

Fines, Penalties, and Enforcement in Banff

The ban on drones in Banff National Park is backed up by serious penalties. Visitors who ignore the rules and fly a drone can face immediate enforcement action from Parks Canada wardens or other authorities. The potential fines are steep enough to ruin any vacation: up to $25,000 for flying a drone illegally in a national park parks.canada.ca. That figure is the maximum allowed under the Canada National Parks Act for offenses, and it underscores how strongly Parks Canada views this violation. While a maximum fine is typically reserved for the most egregious cases (or repeat offenders), even first-time violators have been fined hundreds to thousands of dollars in recent years.

In practice, what happens if you’re caught flying a drone in Banff? First, a park warden or law enforcement officer will likely approach and stop you. They have the authority to seize the drone (at least temporarily) and issue a charge under park regulations. In some cases, offenders are given a summons to appear in court. The outcome can be a fine set by a judge, which has varied depending on the circumstances. For example, there have been instances of tourists being fined around $500 for a single drone flight in Banff rmoutlook.com. In another case, an individual who flew a drone and posted videos online (thus providing clear evidence) was fined on the order of $1,000, and authorities confiscated all the recorded footage as part of the penalty (essentially, they had to forfeit the videos taken) cochranenow.com. These are substantial fines, especially considering that a basic consumer drone might cost less than that – so getting caught could cost you more than the drone itself.

Enforcement isn’t just theoretical. Banff park wardens actively patrol and respond to drone sightings or reports. In 2023, park officials noted they received dozens upon dozens of complaints about drones in the park banff.ca. Visitors often report seeing or hearing drones, because many people are aware of the ban and concerned about its impacts. Parks Canada has actually encouraged the public to help: signs and online notices ask that if you “witness the use of a drone in Banff National Park, please report the incident to park wardens” via a dispatch phone number parks.canada.ca. This means there’s a good chance that if you try to fly, someone will call it in – it could be another hiker, a tour guide, or park staff who happen to be nearby. The park takes these reports seriously, and a warden can be dispatched to investigate. Given Banff’s popularity, you should assume there are always eyes and ears out there ready to report a drone.

Parks Canada also keeps an eye on social media and video-sharing platforms. Posting that epic drone shot of Lake Louise or Moraine Lake might not be wise – there have been cases where investigators traced online videos back to the pilot and issued fines after the fact discoverairdrie.com. In one notable incident, a drone pilot who uploaded videos of flights in Banff (and Waterton Lakes National Park) was identified and fined approximately $1,100, demonstrating that you might still face consequences even if you weren’t caught in the act on site discoverairdrie.com. Essentially, the digital trail can come back to bite you, as the authorities use whatever evidence available to enforce the rules.

The severity of enforcement can depend on context. A person flying a drone in a highly sensitive wildlife area or in a crowded tourist spot might face tougher treatment than someone who unintentionally strayed over the line. However, “I didn’t know it was illegal” is not accepted as an excuse – the regulations are public, and ignorance doesn’t exempt you from penalties. In fact, the very first person fined for drone use in Banff back in 2017 learned this the hard way when he tried to plead ignorance; he still received a $500 fine and a mandatory court appearance skysnap.ca.

Besides fines, there’s a possibility of other consequences. Under law, penalties could include seizure of equipment (your drone might be confiscated, especially if used in a serious violation) and even jail time in extreme cases (though for drone use alone, jail would be highly unlikely unless coupled with other offenses). More common is the requirement to appear in court, which is an inconvenience for travelers – imagine having to deal with a Canadian court date long after your vacation because of a drone flight. Additionally, if you are a commercial operator, getting caught could jeopardize your Transport Canada drone pilot certificate or future permit chances, and for foreign visitors it could complicate future entries if fines go unpaid.

Banff’s approach to enforcement has been both educational and punitive. Parks Canada rangers often try to inform and warn people – you’ll see “No Drone” signs and the park might issue reminders on social media, especially ahead of busy seasons. For instance, in summer 2025 (when tourism peaks), officials from Jasper National Park issued a public reminder that was echoed in Banff: leave your drone at home or face fines up to $25,000 unofficialnetworks.com. The message even phrased it memorably: “Leave the flying to the birds. Recreational use of drones is not permitted in Parks Canada places.” unofficialnetworks.com. This kind of outreach is meant to deter would-be drone pilots before they break the rules. But if people violate the ban despite the warnings, the park has not hesitated to crack down. Banff’s superintendent has highlighted that illegal drone use by visitors has been a significant issue, and therefore the park is taking enforcement seriously banff.ca.

In summary, getting caught with a drone in Banff can carry a very high cost – financial and legal. The threat of a $25,000 fine is real (even if typical fines are lower, they are still costly). The safest and smartest move is simply not to fly a drone in the national park unless you have obtained the rare official permit. Enjoy Banff’s stunning landscapes from the ground; trying to snag aerial footage without permission is not worth the risk of a ruined trip and an empty wallet.

Recent Policy Updates as of 2025

As of 2025, the drone regulations in Banff National Park remain as strict as ever – there have been no relaxations in the ban on recreational drones. If anything, Parks Canada has doubled down on public awareness and enforcement of the existing rules. In late 2022, Parks Canada updated its national park drone policy documentation (which Banff’s website reflects) to clearly articulate the prohibition and permitting process parks.canada.ca parks.canada.ca. Those rules are fully in force through 2023 and 2024, and by 2025 the messaging has been reiterated but not changed: no recreational drones allowed, and only specific permitted uses on approval.

One recent development is the increase in outreach and warnings to visitors about drones. In 2023 and 2024, park officials saw a continued influx of visitors (as travel rebounded) and with it, a number of drone incidents. In response, Parks Canada launched awareness campaigns, especially on social media and at park entry points, to remind everyone of the drone ban. For example, in May 2025 (ahead of the summer tourist season), Jasper National Park – which faces the same drone issues – put out a statement that was widely shared, highlighting the $25,000 fine potential and urging tourists to leave drones at home unofficialnetworks.com. This reflects Parks Canada’s proactive stance: rather than waiting to catch violators, they are trying to prevent violations through education. Banff has similarly shared posts and bulletins updating the public on enforcement stats (like the number of infractions in the previous year) and stressing that they will take action on unauthorized flights banff.ca. These updates don’t change the rules, but they serve as a current reminder that the rules are actively enforced in 2025.

In terms of formal policy changes, the criteria for permits and the ban on recreational use have not been loosened at all up to 2025. If anything, park authorities have been clarifying the permit criteria to make it abundantly clear that casual or commercial entertainment uses are not acceptable. Banff’s management has indicated that drone use for things like promotional videos or tourist souvenirs won’t be approved, aligning with their ongoing management plan goals banff.ca. The focus remains on limiting drone flights to only those that have tangible benefits for park conservation or safety.

It’s also worth mentioning that Transport Canada made some updates to nationwide drone regulations in 2024–2025, such as introducing future allowances for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations for certified professionals tc.canada.ca. However, none of these changes affect the national park ban. The parks operate under separate authority; no matter how the general drone rules evolve (e.g., new categories of operations or certifications), a drone pilot still cannot fly in Banff without the park’s permission tc.canada.ca. Parks Canada’s rules trump the general case when you’re on park land. Thus, as of 2025, even if you as a drone operator have the most advanced certifications and the newest compliant drone, Banff National Park is still off-limits unless you have that special park permit in hand.

In conclusion, all the information up to 2025 confirms a consistent message: Banff National Park’s drone policy is firmly unchanged in prohibiting recreational use. The park is continuing to enforce this ban vigorously, supported by both Parks Canada regulations and federal law. The only updates have been in reinforcing communication and ensuring visitors and drone enthusiasts are well aware of the rules. For anyone planning a trip to Banff in 2025 (or the foreseeable future), the guidance is clear and current: enjoy the mountain vistas, but do not launch a drone to get a better view – it’s illegal, and the penalties are severe. Always check the latest Parks Canada bulletins before considering any drone activity, but unless a dramatic policy shift occurs, expect the no-drone rule to hold steady to protect Banff’s wildlife and serenity.

Sources

• Parks Canada – Banff National Park Regulations: Official rules stating that recreational use of drones (UAVs) is prohibited in all national parks parks.canada.ca. Drones are considered aircraft and all Parks Canada sites are “no drone zones” without a special permit parks.canada.ca parks.canada.ca.
• Parks Canada – Use of UAVs in National Parks: Banff National Park’s policy page outlining that anyone caught flying a drone without a permit can face fines up to $25,000 parks.canada.ca. It specifies recreational drone flying is prohibited, and commercial drone use is only allowed by permit for limited purposes (resource management, safety, law enforcement, or park management) parks.canada.ca parks.canada.ca. The permit application process requires a detailed proposal to the superintendent showing how the drone use meets those purposes parks.canada.ca.
• Town of Banff – Drones in Banff: Local government notice aligning with Parks Canada rules, emphasizing drones are not permitted in the town or park due to safety, privacy, and wildlife harassment concerns banff.ca. It reiterates that flying a drone in the park without approval can lead to enforcement action and fines up to $25,000 banff.ca. It also notes that permits may be issued only in limited circumstances (law enforcement, emergency, or resource protection) and only to licensed Transport Canada pilots with strict time/location limits banff.ca. Commercial drone use for “promotional or entertainment” purposes is deemed inappropriate and unlikely to be approved banff.ca.
• Transport Canada – Where to Fly Your Drone (2025): Federal guidance confirming that drone pilots are not allowed to take off or land in a national park without permission tc.canada.ca. It advises that a park superintendent may allow drones in special cases and directs users to Parks Canada for drone use in parks. (Updated April 2025, reflecting current federal stance on drones in parks.)
• Banff National Park – Permits and Film Guidelines: Information showing that filming in the park requires special permission, and drones/UAVs are categorically disallowed for small-scale film projects parks.canada.ca. Any use of drones for filming would necessitate a full commercial film permit, which Banff suspends during peak season parks.canada.ca. This underscores the stringent limits on drone use even for creative projects.
• News and Enforcement Reports: Multiple sources highlight recent enforcement actions. For example, Parks Canada statements in 2025 warn visitors of the drone ban with slogans like “Leave the flying to the birds” and note the possible $25,000 fine unofficialnetworks.com unofficialnetworks.com. Local news reports (Rocky Mountain Outlook, etc.) from 2023 describe tourists fined $500–$1,000 for illegal drone flights in Banff and mention that park wardens handled 78 drone complaints in 2023, with courts even ordering seizure of drone footage in some cases banff.ca. These incidents demonstrate active enforcement and serve as cautionary tales that the park is cracking down on unauthorized drone use. (The exact figures come from Parks Canada communications reported in local media.)