Drone Rules for Wind Cave National Park

Name: Wind Cave National Park
Address: South Dakota, USA, Custer County, SD, US

Custer County, South Dakota (SD) • United States

South Dakota, USA

Lat: 43.5724 • Lng: -103.442

Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026

Summary

Wind Cave National Park prohibits all drone operations under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. The park contains one of the longest and most complex caves in the world, and surface grasslands support a free-ranging bison herd of 300-400 animals.

Drone Rules - Wind Cave National Park

All drone operations are prohibited under NPS 36 CFR 1.5. Bison herd disturbance from drone overflights triggers dangerous stampedes in this enclosed park ecosystem.

Airspace / Site Context

Hot Springs Airport (KHSR) Class G uncontrolled ~10 miles south
Rapid City Regional (KRAP) Class C lies ~55 miles NW
Park is adjacent to Custer State Park; combined bison herds total 1,000+ animals
Black Hills National Forest surrounds the park; USFS drone rules apply outside

Key Rules

No drone operations within park; bison stampede risk from overhead drones is documented
Cave entrance airflow is sensitive to surface disturbance; drones at the natural entrance prohibited
Black-footed ferret (ESA endangered) may use grassland areas
South Dakota state law prohibits UAS over state and national park units

Source

NPS Wind Cave: https://www.nps.gov/wica

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Rule sources

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm
https://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/unmanned-aircraft.htm — NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 and 36 CFR § 1.5 prohibit all drone operations. Cave Resources Protection Act boxwork and rare cave formation protections add federal restriction layers.
https://www.nps.gov/wica

Parent Rule Pages

United States
Wind Cave National Park