Air Tours

The Overflights Program works cooperatively with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Park Service parks, and air tour operators to manage low flying air tours in order to protect park resources and visitor use without compromising aviation safety or the nation's air traffic control system. They establish conditions for conducting air tours, including specific routes, altitudes, number of flights, type of aircraft, hours of operations, and reporting requirements.
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Public input sought on Draft Air Tour Management Plans at four parks

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are seeking public feedback on Draft Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) and associated environmental assessments that are being proposed for Badlands National Park, Haleakalā National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Public feedback can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website starting May 16, 2023 through June 20, 2023. In addition to the public comment period, public meetings will be held for each park on a Zoom video platform. The NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMPs.

Badlands National Park
Public Meeting, May 24, 2023. 6-7:30pm MDT: https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1600068134;
Passcode: 246810
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/Badlands ATMP Draft ATMP and EA - Project Website
Park Press Release - Badlands National Park

Haleakala National Park
Public Meeting, May 25, 2023. 6-7:30pm HST: https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1614722433
Passcode: 246810
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HaleakalaATMP Draft ATMPand EA - Project Website
Park Press Release - Haleakala National Park

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Public Meeting, June 1, 2023. 6-7:30pm MDT: https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1615600109
Passcode: 246810
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MountRushmoreATMP Draft ATMP and EA - Project Website
Park Press Release - Mount Rushmore National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Public Meeting, June 7 6-7:30 pm HST: https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1615197156
Passcode: 246810
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/HawaiiVolcanoes DraftATMPandEA - Project Website
Park Press Release - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park  
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National Parks of New York Harbor Release Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreements

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed commercial air tour management voluntary agreements for Statue of Liberty and Governors Island National Monuments on January 25, 2023. The completed voluntary agreements establish operating parameters to ensure protection of national park resources and values and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.

National Parks of New York Harbor Commercial Air Tours Voluntary Agreements and FAQs: Project Website
Park Press Release: National Parks of New York Harbor Complete Voluntary Agreements for Commercial Air Tours

Bay Area Parks Release Combined Air Tour Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore on January 11, 2023. The plan establishes measures to protect all four parks' resources including natural and cultural resources, and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
San Francisco Bay Area Air Tour Management Plan - Project Website
Park Press Release: San Francisco Bay Area Parks Air Tour Management Plan Completed

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Releases Air Tour Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Great Smoky Mountains National Park on 12/07/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Air Tour Management Plan - Project Website
Park Press Release - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Arches and Canyonlands National Park, and Natural Bridges National Monument Release Air Tour Management Plans

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Arches and Canyonlands National Park, and Natural Bridges National Monument on 10/21/2022. The plans establish measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the parks' project website for a complete document list.
Arches National Park - Project Website
Canyonlands National Park - Project Website
Natural Bridges National Monument - Project Website
Press Release - Air Tour Management Plans Completed for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument

Bryce Canyon National Park Releases Air Tour Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Bryce Canyon National Park on 10/18/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
Bryce Canyon National Park Air Tour Management Plan - Project Website
Park Press Release - Bryce Canyon National Park Air Tour Management Plan Completed

Glacier National Park Releases Air Tour Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Glacier National Park on 9/23/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
Glacier National Park Air Tour Management Plan - Project Website
Press Release - Glacier National Park Air Tour Management Plan Completed

National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration Release Three Air Tour Management Plans

Death Valley National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Death Valley National Park on 8/19/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
Death Valley National Park Air Tour Management Plan, Project Website
Park Press Release for Death Valley National Park ATMP

Mount Rainier National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Mount Rainier National Park on 7/19/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for a complete document list.
Parkplanning - Air Tour Management Plan - Mount Rainier National Park (nps.gov)
Park Press Release for Air Tour Management Plan

Olympic National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Olympic National Park on 7/19/2022. The plan establishes measures to protect park resources and visitor experience. Please see the park's project website for complete document list.
Parkplanning - Air Tour Management Plan - Olympic National Park (nps.gov)
Park Press Release for Air Tour Management Plan
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Park Units that Require an Air Tour Management Plan or Agreement

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (NPATMA) governs commercial air tours over national parks, and tribal lands within or abutting national parks, and establishes oversight authority by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the operators wishing to conduct such tours. The Act requires that the FAA, and the National Park Service (NPS), jointly develop Air Tour Management Plan (ATMPs) for park or tribal lands within or abutting a National Park where air tour operations occur or are proposed. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 amended the Act to allow the FAA and the NPS to enter into voluntary agreements (VAs) with air tour operators as an alternative to developing ATMPs. The 2012 amendments also exempt national parks with 50 or fewer tours annually from the ATMP and VA requirements.

On February 14, 2019, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Hawaii Coalition Malama Pono filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking to have the FAA and the NPS complete air tour management plans or voluntary agreements at seven specified parks. On May 1, 2020, the Court granted the petition and ordered the FAA and the NPS to file a proposed schedule within 120 days for bringing 23 parks into compliance with NPATMA within two years or to provide specific concrete reasons why it would take longer. The agencies will also be required to submit quarterly updates on their progress.

The agencies submitted the proposed plan to the Court for approval on August 31, 2020. As of the submission date, there were no ATMPs in place for the 23 parks that are required to have an ATMPs, as mandated by the NPATMA and the Court. On November 20, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit approved the agencies’ (FAA/NPS) proposed plan and schedule for completing ATMPs at the 23 parks. The court also approved the agencies’ schedule for progress updates to the Court with the first update required to be submitted on November 30, 2020, and subsequent progress updates at 90-day intervals thereafter.

The NPS and the FAA are working together to implement NPATMA. Voluntary agreements are currently in place in four parks (Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument). Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument are in the group of 23 parks because voluntary agreements are in place for only seven of the nine operators. Under the Act, the agencies must complete voluntary agreements with the remaining operators who have not yet signed one or do an ATMP to cover both parks.

In order to comply with agreed upon plan from the court, the agencies intend to begin work on all 23 ATMPs at the same time, and, to the maximum extent possible, consolidate the administrative processes and streamline activities under NEPA, in order to complete all of the ATMPs within two years.

General Frequently Asked Questions

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act, which Congress passed in 2000, governs commercial air tours over national parks, except Grand Canyon National Park, which is governed by separate legislation, and parks in Alaska. It requires that the FAA, in cooperation with the NPS, develop Air Tour Management Plans (ATMPs) or voluntary agreements for each park where commercial air tour operations occur or are proposed.

A commercial air tour is any flight conducted for compensation or hire in a powered aircraft where the purpose of the flight is sightseeing over a national park or within ½ mile outside of the boundary of the park and is below 5,000' AGL (above ground level) and less than 1 mile laterally from any geographic feature within the park.

Air tours subject to regulation under the National Parks Air Tour Management Act do not include flights conducted for other purposes (e.g., commercial jets or military overflights), nor does it apply to air tours conducted over lands that are greater than ½ mile from the park boundary or public lands managed by agencies other than the National Park Service.

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act defines an ATMP as a plan to develop acceptable and effective measures to mitigate or prevent the significant adverse impacts, if any, of commercial air tour operations upon natural and cultural resources, visitor experiences, and tribal lands.

As an alternative to an ATMP, the NPS and the FAA may enter into voluntary agreements with all commercial air tour operators (including new entrant commercial air tour operators and operators that have interim operating authority) that have applied to conduct commercial air tour operations over a national park. As the name implies, such an agreement is voluntary and signed by the FAA, the NPS, and the air tour operators at a specific park.

Like an ATMP, a voluntary agreement addresses the management issues necessary to protect park resources and visitor experience without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system. Voluntary agreements can establish conditions for air tours over a park, including routes and altitudes, number of flights, aircraft type , hours of operation, and reporting requirements. Unlike ATMPs, voluntary agreements do not require compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act or other environmental laws.

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act exempts parks with 50 or fewer commercial air tour operations each year from the requirement to prepare an ATMP or voluntary agreement. Based on reports from air tour operators, 54 national parks for which operators hold Interim Operating Authority are currently exempt. The number of exempt parks may change from year to year based on data reported by air tour operators. National parks in Alaska are also exempted from the Act. Air tours over Grand Canyon National Park are subject to separate legislation.

While the National Parks Air Tour Management Act provides an exemption to the ATMP requirement for parks with 50 or fewer commercial air tour operations each year, the NPS may withdraw an exemption if the NPS determines that an ATMP or voluntary agreement is necessary to protect park resources and values or park visitor use and enjoyment. The NPS withdrew the exemption for Mount Rainier National Park, Death Valley National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Muir Woods National Monument.

ATMPs include conditions designed to protect natural and cultural resources and visitor experience. These conditions may include the number of authorized air tours, routes, altitude, aircraft type, day or time restrictions, and restrictions for particular events. Standoff distances can also be established for special status species or cultural and tribal resources. Each final ATMP identifies how the ATMP conditions protect natural and cultural resources and visitor experience for that park or parks.

An ATMP can allow for restrictions for particular events, which are intended to prevent interruptions of Park events or tribal practices. The ATMP may include additional conditions as identified during consultations with Native American Tribes and Native Hawaiians, such as restrictions for particular days, seasons, or a complete prohibition.

The NPS and FAA comply with all applicable laws, including the National Parks Air Tour Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.  Additionally, the FAA reviews all ATMPs to ensure compliance with safety protocols. Park-specific information can be found in the ATMP Record of Decision – Consultation and Compliance.

On February 14, 2019, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Hawai'i Coalition Malama Pono filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit requesting that the Court order the agencies to complete ATMPs for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Haleakalā National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park. On May 1, 2020, the Court granted the petition and ordered the agencies to submit a schedule for bringing all eligible parks (based on reported air tour data from 2018) into compliance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act within two years or to show specific, concrete reasons why doing so will take longer.

As of January 2023, parks that have completed ATMPs are: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Death Valley National Park, Glacier National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area/Muir Woods National Monument/Point Reyes National Seashore/San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Olympic National Park. As of February 2023, parks that have completed VAs are Governors Island National Monument/ Statue of Liberty National Monument. The agencies terminated the ATMP planning process for Everglades National Park in July 2022 because the National Parks Air Tour Management Act no longer required an ATMP or VA (87 Fed. Reg. 43,595).

As of February 2023, parks that have ATMPs or VAs in progress: Badlands National Park, Bandelier National Monument, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Haleakala National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Lake Meade National Recreation Area, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

According to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act, an operator’s IOA shall terminate 180 days after the date on which an air tour management plan is established for a park.

The operator will submit to the FAA and the NPS semi-annual reports regarding the number of commercial air tours over the park or within ½ mile of their operational boundary. These reports will also include the required flight monitoring data and other information as the FAA, and the NPS may request or are detailed in the park’s ATMP or voluntary agreement.

If an ATMP authorizes commercial air tours, operators that have converted to quiet technology aircraft may request to be allowed to conduct air tours during expanded operating times or expanded operating areas. The incentives for each park will be included in its ATMP. If implementation of this incentive results in unanticipated effects on Park resources or visitor experience, further agency action may be required to ensure the protection of these resources and values.

Written comments on draft ATMPs can be submitted on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) System at https://parkplanning.nps.gov. The PEPC sites for the respective park ATMPs will indicate the timeframe for comment submission.

Agencies will consider comments received on the draft ATMP and continue consultations with other agencies and tribal governments, as necessary. A final ATMP documenting the project's outcomes (including comments received and consultations undertaken) will be developed with ultimate approval resting with the FAA and the NPS.

The NPS and the FAA are both responsible for the monitoring and oversight of an ATMP or voluntary agreement. If the NPS identifies instances of noncompliance, the NPS will report such findings to the appropriate FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The public may also report allegations of non-compliance with an ATMP or VA to the FSDO. The FSDO will investigate and respond to all written reports consistent with applicable FAA guidance.

FAA determination of non-compliance with an ATMP or VA may result in loss of authorization to conduct commercial air tours authorized by the plan or agreement. Any violation of an operator’s operations specifications shall be treated in accordance with FAA Order 2150.3, FAA Compliance and Enforcement Program.

Air tours are only one of many ways for a person with  disabilities to experience a national park. If an air tour plan reduces or eliminates air tours, a person with disabilities would still be able to experience a national park. The National Park Service works to ensure that people with disabilities can participate in the same programs, activities, and employment opportunities available to those without disabilities in the most integrated setting possible. Alternative means of accessing facilities, programs, and services are provided when an accessible direct experience cannot be provided. 

Accessibility solutions are developed in consultation with the disability community and various partners including NPS concessioners and commercial service operators and range from adaptive hiking trails and scenic overlooks to adaptive horse/donkey riding, adaptive river rafting, and many other forms of recreation that provide disabled visitors with a wide range of options for enjoying national parks. 

The NPS has a team dedicated to breaking physical and programmatic barriers to make parks more inclusive for people with sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities. The team includes regional accessibility coordinators who work to make sure that National Park Service staff have the tools and training necessary to provide accessible and inclusive outdoor recreation and interpretation opportunities for park visitors and employees alike. For more information visit the Plan Your Visit page.

Stakeholder and Public Engagement

As part of the Air Tour Management Plan process, the NPS and FAA are conducting stakeholder and public meetings. Links to meeting notifications, and webinar recordings and/or meeting slide decks (where applicable) will be posted below.

Previous ATMP Public Engagement

  • April 28, 2021 – The NPS and FAA presented a webinar to the State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and interested tribes. The briefing provided background information on the air tour management plan process and the requirements of NPATMA. View the slide deck (PDF 352KB).
  • July 29, 2021 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of draft ATMPS for Death Valley, Everglades, Mount Rainier, and Olympic National Parks.
  • September 3, 2021 - The FAA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), published a federal register notice announcing the availability of draft ATMPs for Bandelier National Monument, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Arches National Park, Glacier National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Bryce Canyon National Park at the below link.
  • October 15, 2021 - The FAA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), published a federal register notice announcing the availability of a draft ATMP for Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Muir Woods National Monument; San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park; and Point Reyes National Seashore at the below link.
  • February 28 - April 1, 2022. The NPS and FAA conducted public scoping to seek public input on potential alternatives for air tour management plans (ATMP) for Haleakalā National Park and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Although the comment period has ended, the agencies will consider these comments as they develop the draft ATMPs, which will be open for public comment when available.
  • September 6 - October 6, 2022. The NPS and FAA conducted public scoping to seek public input on potential alternatives for air tour management plans (ATMP) for Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Although the comment period has ended, the agencies will consider these comments as they develop the draft ATMPs, which will be open for public comment when available.

Recorded Public Meetings for DRAFT ATMPs

Mount Rainier National Park, 8/16/2021: Public Meeting: Mount Rainier National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Death Valley National Park, 8/17/2021: Public Meeting: Death Valley National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Everglades National Park, 8/19/2021: Public Meeting: Everglades National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Olympic National Park, 8/25/2021: Public Meeting: Olympic National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Bandelier National Monument, 9/15/2021: Bandelier National Monument Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Great Smoky Mountains NP, 9/16/2021: Public Meeting: Great Smoky Mountains NP Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Arches National Park, 9/20/2021: Public Meeting: Arches National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Glacier National Park, 9/21/2021: Public Meeting: Glacier National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Canyonlands National Park, 9/22/2021: Public Meeting: Canyonlands National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Natural Bridges Natl Monument, 9/26/2021: Public Meeting: Natural Bridges Natl Monument Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Bryce Canyon National Park, 9/27/2021: Public Meeting: Bryce Canyon National Park Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Bay Area National Parks, 10/26/2021: Public Meeting: Bay Area National Parks Combined Air Tour Management Plan

Accessible Public Meeting Presentation, slide deck

Map of the united states with blue dots indicating locations where there were reported air tours in 2019.
Graphic correlates numbers and areas of air tour activity in U.S. national parks in 2019.

B. Phillips / NPS

Air Tour Reports

Beginning in 2013, commercial air tour operators who conduct tours over national parks have been required to report their air tour activity to the FAA and NPS. The agencies use these data to implement requirements of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA), including the identification of parks where an air tour management plan or agreement is required.

The tables below display the number of reported tours in calendar year 2019 at the 78 national parks where one or more air tour operators have been granted authority to conduct tours. The National Parks Air Tour Management Act requires that park units with more than 50 annual tours establish an air tour management plan or agreement. While units with 50 or fewer tours are exempt from the requirement to establish a plan or agreement, operators at those parks are required to submit air tour reports each year. Further NPS may withdraw an exemption if NPS determines that a plan or agreement is necessary to protect park resource and values, or visitor use and enjoyment.

Based on the 2019 data, 29 parks require a plan or agreement – 27 parks with more than 50 tours and 2 parks with less than 50 tours but where NPS has withdrawn the exemption (Death Valley National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park). The remaining 49 parks listed in the table qualify for the exemption based on 2019 data because the number of tours at each park has not exceeded 50.

National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

The NPS and FAA jointly established the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group in 2001. This group provides continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour operations over and near national parks. They work with other stakeholders, such as air tour operators and tribes, to address a range of general aviation and environmental concerns.

Additional Information

  • National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 as amended.
    The National Parks Air Tour Management Act has been amended several times by separate public laws. 49 United States Code Section 40128, Overflights of National Parks, collates the original law with subsequent amendments, and deletes language that has been repealed.

Last updated: June 6, 2023

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