The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Atlanta (2024)
A list of the best places to fly your drone in Atlanta, Georgia.
In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you live in (or are traveling to) Atlanta, please use this page as a resource to better understand not just where to fly, but also where it’s legal and illegal to fly a drone. We provide guidance on regulations to help you stay compliant with both federal and local rules.
A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Atlanta, GA. Source: VFR Map
Atlanta Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial
The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Atlanta (or any city for that matter) is that under federal FAA regulations, you are either operating recreationally or commercially.
- Recreational drone pilots fall under the FAA’s recreational flyer rules, which are laid out here. Make sure your aircraft is registered and you complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), which are both required by the FAA.
- Commercial drone pilots fall under the FAA’s Part 107 regulations, which require passing a multiple-choice test and becoming an FAA-certified drone pilot. More information on the drone certification process over here.
Drone operators are no longer required to independently contact air traffic control when flying within five miles of an airport. Instead, both recreational and commercial flyers can use the automated LAANC system to request airspace authorization to fly in controlled airspace around and above many airports. If you’re operating in Class B, C, D, or E controlled airspace, you’ll need to request airspace authorization. You may do this through LAANC or through FAADroneZone in areas where LAANC is not available.
When we list locations below, we’ll share whether they sit in controlled or uncontrolled airspace.
Get up-to-date airspace information, including temporary flight restrictions, using free apps like Aloft , Autopylot , or B4UFLY .
Interested in becoming an FAA-certified drone pilot so you can operate under the Part 107 regulations and make money flying your drone? Check out our industry-leading, online training course over at Drone Pilot Ground School.
So those are the federal rules.
But what about local Atlanta drone laws?
Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in Georgia. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Atlanta. When in doubt, use good judgment and follow the FAA’s guidelines.
Note: The content on this page is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of legal counsel. If we missed something, or if you have further questions, please send an email to support[at]horizonap[dot]com, and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Where to Fly a Drone in Atlanta
Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Atlanta area. We selected these locations based on airspace restrictions, accessibility, and attractions. You’ll find that most of the locations we’ve chosen are located in uncontrolled, Class G airspace where you don’t need to request permission to fly. Additionally, we made sure to highlight any locations with designated sUAS/remote aircraft fields.
1 — Piedmont Park
400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.784640&long=-84.373737
Piedmont Park is a park located one mile northeast of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. One of the main attractions at the park is Lake Clara Meer. The property also has the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center, tennis courts, and baseball fields. There are two large open areas on the southern end of the lake called Oak Hill and The Meadow. The lake has stunning views of the midtown skyline in the background. The natural beauty of the expansive park and the wide-open flying areas are perfect for flying a drone. Please follow the FAA regulations about flying over people in crowded areas.
Source: Mike
2 — Murphey Candler Park
1551 W Nancy Creek Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30319
- Airspace Class: Class D — Controlled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.911225&long=-84.323603
Murphey Candler Park is 135-acres and is located just outside of Atlanta, in Brookhaven, Georgia. It features a beautiful lake that is surrounded by mature trees and scenic walking trails. The park is full of wildlife including Canadian geese, mallards, other duck species, and beavers. Drone pilots will appreciate this wide-open area and the incredible views this park has to offer.
Source: Capt Theodore
3 — Fayette Flyers Field
2040 Joel Cowan Pkwy, Tyrone, GA 30290
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.522205&long=-84.578041
The Fayette Flyers Field is an AMA airfield located just north of Peachtree City, Georgia. The property has a lake with a dock used for float model aircraft. The club allows various kinds of aircraft to fly at the field including drones. There is a geotextile runway and a parallel grass runway. All members of this club must have a valid AMA membership and meet other club requirements. The wide-open area is a great place to practice your flight skills and connect with others in the hobby.
Source: Google Maps
4 — Little Tallapoosa Park
1930 GA-113, Carrollton, GA 30116
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=33.642343&long=5.684461z
Little Tallapoosa Park is about 50-minutes outside of Atlanta and it spans over 200 acres. Drone pilots will enjoy the openness of the 7-acre meadow that is perfect for flying. The wooded area also features a small fishing pond and a lake which creates a beautiful backdrop for aerial footage.
Source: Carroll County Parks
5 — Lake Lanier
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=34.204717&long=-84.005815
Lake Lanier is a reservoir located about an hour from downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The lake was created in 1956 with the construction of the Buford Dam. It spans an incredible 38,000 acres and has 692 miles of shoreline. An interesting fact is that Florida, Georgia, and Alabama all have rights to the reservoir due to the rivers that feed it. There are various islands and parks that surround the lake. With seemingly never-ending views of the water and wooded areas, this area is ideal for unique drone footage.
Source: Peter Salanki