Black Hills Drone Guide

Flying drones (or sUAS) in the Black Hills can be a bit confusing. This guide will help you navigate the South Dakota and Black Hills drone laws, rules, and restrictions for hobbyists and commercial pilots.
Photograph of Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park

Federal Regulations: www.faa.gov/uas/

US Forest Service Regulations: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd493612.pdf

General Laws

  • Do not fly over non-participating people
  • Blade guards required to fly over people
  • Do not exceed 400 feet AGL
  • Always maintain Visual Line of Sight
  • 3 mile light visibility to fly at night
  • Use B4UFLY app

No Fly Zones (Restricted Airspace)

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Jewel Cave National Monument
  • Wind Cave National Park
  • Badlands National Park
  • Ellsworth Air Force Base
  • Minute Man missile Sites
  • Devils Tower National Monument

State Parks

Custer, Bear Butte

https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/docs/Drone_Policy_12-17-18.pdf

  • Recreational Use – 14 CFR part 101
  • Commercial Video – requires permit
  • Commercial Photo – 14 CFR part 107 (permit only required under certain circumstances)

Recreation Area

Angostura, Sheps Canyon, Rocky Point (Belle Fourche)

  • (Same as State Parks)

Nature Area

Spearfish Canyon

  • (Same as State Parks)

National Forest

Black Hills National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/blackhills/home/?cid=FSEPRD612121

  • Anything Commercial – Daily Flight Notification (form currently unavailable)
  • Commercial Filming – Special Use Permit

Wilderness Area

Black Elk Wilderness

  • UAS are considered to be “mechanized” equipment and cannot take off and land in designated Wilderness Areas on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

Wildlife Preserve

Norbeck Wildlife Preserve

  • UAS are considered to be “mechanized” equipment and cannot take off and land in designated Wilderness Areas on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

National Park

Badlands, Wind Cave

Can You Fly a Drone in the Badlands?

Badlands

  • Launching, operating, or landing an unmanned or remote controlled aircraft within Badlands National Park is prohibited (36 CFR 1.5 Closures & Public Limits).

Wind Cave

  • The flying and operating of any unmanned aircraft (i.e. drones) within Wind Cave National Park is prohibited under 36 CFR 1.5.

National Monument

Jewel Cave

  • Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Insert Park Name is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent.

National Memorial

Mount Rushmore

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-restricts-drones-over-statue-liberty-other-landmarks

  • Launching, landing or operating remotely piloted aircraft within Mount Rushmore National Memorial is prohibited (36 CFR 1.5 Closures & Public Limits).

Local Contacts

Report potential violation of FAA rules:
  • Contact local Flight Standards District Office
    • 3501 5th St. Rapid City, SD 57701 |(605) 737-3050
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Black Hills Traveler
Author: Black Hills Traveler

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