Yellowstone “No Drone” Policy Results in Multiple Fines Over $1,000

Flying an unmanned aircraft, or drone, in Yellowstone National Park appears to be a good way to rack up a steep fine. Yellowstone National park Spokesman Al Nash explains how the new no drone policy has worked so far this year.

"We've had three cases in the park this year, where we had very well documented violations on our prohibition on the operation of unmanned aircraft, along with some other violations of park regulations," said Yellowstone National Park Spokesman Al Nash. "We instituted a ban on unmanned aircraft in June in Yellowstone."

In July, Andreas Meissner of Germany was the first visitor to face charges of piloting an unmanned aircraft in the park after he crashed his drone into Yellowstone Lake. Meissner faced over 1,600 in fines and restitution on top of a one year ban from the park.

In late September, Theodorus Van Vliet of the Netherlands pled guilty after crashing a drone in Grand Prismatic Spring in Augest. Van Vliet was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay over $2,200 in restitution.

The most recent case involved Donald Criswell of Oregon who flew his drone near some bison in the Midway Geyser Basin. Criswell pled guilty last Thursday and has been fined one thousand dollars plus court costs.