Flying a drone at Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Boulder
Can you fly a drone here?
Yes. Brainard Lake is national forest land outside the Indian Peaks Wilderness, so recreational drones are allowed under FAA rules. The wilderness boundary is less than a mile away, so don't take off or land on the trails heading west.
- Status
- Fly freely
- Airspace
- Class G
- LAANC
- Not required
- Land manager
- U.S. Forest Service, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Drone rules at Brainard Lake Recreation Area
- Recreational drones are allowed on most national forest land if you follow FAA rules.
- Drones can't take off from, land in or be operated from congressionally designated wilderness. We checked this spot against Forest Service wilderness boundaries.
- Don't fly where there's a temporary flight restriction, like a wildfire. If you fly, firefighting aircraft can't.
- The Forest Service asks pilots to stay away from campgrounds, trailheads and wildlife, and to fly no higher than 400 feet.
- The Indian Peaks Wilderness boundary is less than a mile from the lake. Drones can't take off from, land in or be operated from inside it.
Nearby restrictions
- Check for temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in a LAANC or B4UFLY app before every flight.
Getting there
Brainard Lake Road, west of Ward.
Sources
↗ U.S. Forest Service: recreational drone tips↗ U.S. Forest Service: responsible UAS use↗ FAA UAS Facility Map dataBrainard Lake Recreation Area drone FAQ
Can you fly a drone at Brainard Lake Recreation Area?
Yes. Brainard Lake is national forest land outside the Indian Peaks Wilderness, so recreational drones are allowed under FAA rules. The wilderness boundary is less than a mile away, so don't take off or land on the trails heading west.