Part 107 in South Dakota: Rushmore and Badlands
South Dakota's icons, Mount Rushmore, Badlands and Wind Cave, are National Park Service units where drones are prohibited. Where and how you can fly instead.
South Dakota's most photographed places are all National Park Service units: Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. Drones are generally prohibited in all of them. Outside the parks, open plains bring strong wind, and Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City has its own controlled airspace.
This guide focuses on what makes flying in South Dakota different. State and local rules on privacy, trespass and parks still apply, and the Part 107 rules apply everywhere.
Can you fly at Mount Rushmore or the Badlands?
Generally no. Under National Park Service Policy Memorandum 14-05, park superintendents use 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit launching, landing or operating drones on park lands and waters, with limited exceptions; see the NPS policy. A Part 107 certificate does not change that.
How does plains wind affect flights?
Gusts on open ground drain batteries and push small drones off course. Read gusts in the METAR and keep margin for the return leg; §107.49 requires enough power for the flight. The METAR guide explains how.
What federal airspace matters most in South Dakota?
Sioux Falls has Class C airspace, and Ellsworth Air Force Base sits near Rapid City. Get authorization under §107.41 through LAANC where required.
What this means for the exam
South Dakota-specific rules are not on the FAA knowledge test, which covers federal rules only. The federal topics here, airspace authorization, restricted areas, weather limits and performance, are.
Other states are compared in the state drone laws guide.
The free diagnostic scores you on the five FAA exam areas in 20 questions.
Check your Part 107 knowledgeFree diagnostic
Reading about drones is one thing. Passing the Part 107 test is another. See where you stand.
Take the free 10-minute diagnostic