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Drone Rules for Badlands National Park
South Dakota (SD)
• United States
South Dakota, USA
Lat: 43.8554 • Lng: -102.34
Rules Edit History: Badlands National Park
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May 30, 2026 12:05 PM
Approved
• Added NPS 36 CFR 1.5 drone prohibition for Badlands NP with black-footed ferret ESA reintroduction, Ellsworth AFB B-1B adjacency, and high-wind hazard.
Moderation feedback
Approved
Confidence: 0.85
Your proposed edit detailing the drone prohibition at Badlands National Park has been approved. This aligns with National Park Service regulations, which prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft in the park to protect public safety, minimize visitor-use conflicts, and prevent unacceptable impacts to scenic values, natural soundscapes, and wildlife. The added context regarding the park's unique features enhances understanding of the area’s drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Badlands National Park under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. The park protects the world's richest Oligocene fossil beds, a reintroduced black-footed ferret population — the world's most endangered m | Badlands National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park protects 244,000 acres of dramatic eroded buttes and is one of the richest fossil beds in the world, with an active black-footed ferret reintroduction program. |
| Mapped shapes | 041a24a1-5275-411e-ad28-726c30fe9d1e | b5e1d85e-406a-4417-ac47-e513cf522708 |
Before
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - ESA: ⚠️ Black-footed ferret — world's most endangered mammal - PRPA: ⚠️ Oligocene fossil beds — richest in the world ## Geographic Boundaries Badlands National Park is located in Pennington, Jackson, and Shannon Counties, South Dakota. - Total area: ~242,756 acres - Coordinates: 43.8554° N, 102.3397° W - Includes Badlands Wall, Sage Creek Wilderness, Palmer Creek Unit, and Stronghold Unit (Pine Ridge Reservation) - Home to reintroduced black-footed ferret population - Nearest city: Wall, SD (~8 miles north) ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval - ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) endangered; UAS disturbance constitutes Section 9 harassment - PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) — Oligocene fossil bed protections - Oglala Sioux Tribe sovereignty — Stronghold Unit on Pine Ridge Reservation requires tribal coordination - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - ESA Section 9 black-footed ferret: up to $50,000 + 1 year - PRPA: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil disturbance - Oglala Sioux tribal penalties for Stronghold Unit violations - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - ESA Section 10 ITP for black-footed ferret research - Stronghold Unit: Oglala Sioux Tribe coordination mandatory Submit requests to: Badlands NP Superintendent, 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
After
## Drone Rules - Badlands National Park **All UAS operations are prohibited** under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. Black-footed ferret reintroduction makes nighttime drone operations especially sensitive. ### Airspace / Site Context - Rapid City Regional Airport (KRAP) Class C lies ~70 miles west - Elliott Airport (KIEN) private strip near Wall, SD; uncontrolled airspace - Park elevation 2,400-3,238 ft MSL; high plains winds frequently exceed 40 mph - Ellsworth AFB (KRCA) B-1B operations west of the park; Warning Areas nearby ### Key Rules - No drone operations within park boundaries - Black-footed ferret (ESA endangered) reintroduction active; nocturnal surveys by rangers use spotlights - Bighorn sheep and bison herds are stress-sensitive; drone pursuit is a federal violation - High-wind conditions in the Badlands make drone flight dangerous even outside park ### Source - NPS Badlands: https://www.nps.gov/badl
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- - ESA: ⚠️ Black-footed ferret — world's most endangered mammal - - PRPA: ⚠️ Oligocene fossil beds — richest in the world - - Includes Badlands Wall, Sage Creek Wilderness, - Palmer Creek Unit, and Stronghold Unit (Pine Ridge Reservation) - - Home to reintroduced black-footed ferret population - - Nearest city: Wall, SD (~8 miles north) - endangered; UAS disturbance constitutes Section 9 harassment - - PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) — Oligocene fossil bed protections - - Oglala Sioux Tribe sovereignty — Stronghold Unit on Pine Ridge - Reservation requires tribal coordination - - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations - - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park - - ESA Section 9 black-footed ferret: up to $50,000 + 1 year - - PRPA: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil disturbance - - Oglala Sioux tribal penalties for Stronghold Unit violations - - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - - Equipment confiscation by park rangers - ## Special Permissions - - NPS Special Use Permit required - - ESA Section 10 ITP for black-footed ferret research - - Stronghold Unit: Oglala Sioux Tribe coordination mandatory - Submit requests to: Badlands NP Superintendent, - 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
May 29, 2026 1:36 AM
Approved
• Added drone restriction profile for Badlands National Park based on NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05, 36 CFR § 1.5, ESA Section 9 black-footed ferret, PRPA Oligocene fossil beds, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Stronghold Unit sovereignty.
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Approved
Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit has been approved. The information is accurate and well-supported by official sources, and the outline appropriately matches the selected location. Thank you for your contribution.
Sources
- https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations. ESA black-footed ferret critical habitat, PRPA Oligocene fossil bed protections, and Oglala Sioux tribal sovereignty in Stronghold Unit add multi-layer federal and tribal restrictions.
- https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/rules.htm
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | Permission | NoFly |
| Summary | United States National Parks are restricted from taking off, landing, or controlling a drone within the park to those with permission. Which is rare to receive. | Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Badlands National Park under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. The park protects the world's richest Oligocene fossil beds, a reintroduced black-footed ferret population — the world's most endangered m |
Before
## This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
After
## Authorization Status - Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit - ESA: ⚠️ Black-footed ferret — world's most endangered mammal - PRPA: ⚠️ Oligocene fossil beds — richest in the world ## Geographic Boundaries Badlands National Park is located in Pennington, Jackson, and Shannon Counties, South Dakota. - Total area: ~242,756 acres - Coordinates: 43.8554° N, 102.3397° W - Includes Badlands Wall, Sage Creek Wilderness, Palmer Creek Unit, and Stronghold Unit (Pine Ridge Reservation) - Home to reintroduced black-footed ferret population - Nearest city: Wall, SD (~8 miles north) ## Regulations - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval - ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) endangered; UAS disturbance constitutes Section 9 harassment - PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) — Oligocene fossil bed protections - Oglala Sioux Tribe sovereignty — Stronghold Unit on Pine Ridge Reservation requires tribal coordination - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park ## Penalties - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation - ESA Section 9 black-footed ferret: up to $50,000 + 1 year - PRPA: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil disturbance - Oglala Sioux tribal penalties for Stronghold Unit violations - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day - Equipment confiscation by park rangers ## Special Permissions - NPS Special Use Permit required - ESA Section 10 ITP for black-footed ferret research - Stronghold Unit: Oglala Sioux Tribe coordination mandatory Submit requests to: Badlands NP Superintendent, 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
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+ - Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit + - ESA: ⚠️ Black-footed ferret — world's most endangered mammal + - PRPA: ⚠️ Oligocene fossil beds — richest in the world + + ## Geographic Boundaries + Badlands National Park is located in Pennington, Jackson, + and Shannon Counties, South Dakota. + - Total area: ~242,756 acres + - Coordinates: 43.8554° N, 102.3397° W + - Includes Badlands Wall, Sage Creek Wilderness, + Palmer Creek Unit, and Stronghold Unit (Pine Ridge Reservation) + - Home to reintroduced black-footed ferret population + - Nearest city: Wall, SD (~8 miles north) + + ## Regulations + - NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units + - 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority + - 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval + - ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) + endangered; UAS disturbance constitutes Section 9 harassment + - PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa) — Oligocene fossil bed protections + - Oglala Sioux Tribe sovereignty — Stronghold Unit on Pine Ridge + Reservation requires tribal coordination + - FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations + - Airspace: Class G; no controlled airspace over park + + ## Penalties + - NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation + - ESA Section 9 black-footed ferret: up to $50,000 + 1 year + - PRPA: fines up to $10,000 + imprisonment for fossil disturbance + - Oglala Sioux tribal penalties for Stronghold Unit violations + - FAA civil penalties up to $27,500 per violation per day + - Equipment confiscation by park rangers + - NPS Special Use Permit required + - ESA Section 10 ITP for black-footed ferret research + - Stronghold Unit: Oglala Sioux Tribe coordination mandatory + Submit requests to: Badlands NP Superintendent, + 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
May 27, 2026 10:57 PM
Approved
• Rollback user history: Included broken and wrong link... In every post. Mass edit spam of national parks adding nothing specific.
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Administrative rollback audit entry.
Changed fields
| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Flight status | NoFly | Permission |
| Summary | Drones are prohibited in Badlands National Park per NPS closure order. No recreational flights allowed. | United States National Parks are restricted from taking off, landing, or controlling a drone within the park to those with permission. Which is rare to receive. |
Before
## Drone Rules - Badlands National Park **Drone use is prohibited** in Badlands National Park. ### Key Rules - No recreational drone flights within park boundaries - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit - Bighorn sheep and other wildlife are sensitive to drone disturbance ### Source - Badlands NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/rules.htm
After
## This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
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+ This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. - - ### Key Rules - - No recreational drone flights within park boundaries - - Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit - - Bighorn sheep and other wildlife are sensitive to drone disturbance - - ### Source - - Badlands NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/rules.htm -
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| Field | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Rule category | — | Ground |
| Flight status | — | Permission |
| Summary | — | United States National Parks are restricted from taking off, landing, or controlling a drone within the park to those with permission. Which is rare to receive. |
| Mapped shapes | — | 041a24a1-5275-411e-ad28-726c30fe9d1e |
Before
After
## This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm
Show inline change markers
+ ## + This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System. + + https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm