The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Detroit (2024)
A list of the best places to fly your drone in Detroit, Michigan.
In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Detroit, Michigan.
If you live in (or are traveling to) Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI. Source: VFR Map
Detroit Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial
The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Detroit (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 Detroit drone laws?
Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in Michigan. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Detroit. 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 Detroit
Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Detroit 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 — Hart Plaza
1 Civic Center Dr, Detroit, MI 48226
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=42.327633&long=-83.044411
Hart Plaza is a city plaza located in downtown Detroit, Michigan that sits on the bank of the Detroit River. The property is the site of where Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. This settlement, later on, became known as the City of Detroit. The area consists of 14 acres and features many monuments and an Amphitheater. It is home to the Horace E. Dodge Fountain and the Michigan Labor Legacy Monument. The stunning views of the Detroit Riverwalk and Canada are truly one of a kind. The city provides a pleasant backdrop that helps showcase the area. The plaza sits next to the iconic General Motors Renaissance Center—easily one of the most recognizable buildings in the Detroit skyline.
Source: AI R
2 — Roosevelt Park
2405 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=42.330727&long=-83.076670
Roosevelt Park is located in the Detroit Corktown Neighborhood and is the home of the iconic Michigan Central Train Depot. The park is a wide-open, green area with trees and it sits in front of the old train station. The station was designed at the same time and by the same firms that designed the New York City Grand Central Terminal. The building was once a symbol of Detroit’s fall, and it now symbolizes the economic revitalization of Detroit. In 2018, the Ford Motor Company bought the building with plans to make a secondary headquarters out of it. The beautiful structure and the view of Ambassador Bridge in the background offers some very unique drone footage.
3 — Windmill Point Lighthouse
14702 Riverside Blvd, Detroit, MI 48215
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=42.358920&long=-82.930971
The Windmill Point Lighthouse is located on the edge of Mariner Park on the shore of the Detroit River. The park provides a wide-open green space for flying drones and has incredible views of the river. Peche Island and Belle Isle can also be viewed from this location, offering plenty of footage opportunities. The original lighthouse was built in 1838 and was rebuilt several times after. Today, it stands at 42 feet above Lake St. Clair and features a white flashing light with a focal plane. Drone pilots will appreciate the historical structure and the waterfront scenery.
Source: Gotanero
4 — Point Huron
31300 Metro Pkwy, Harrison Charter Township, MI 48045
- Airspace Class: Class D — Controlled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=42.571597&long=-82.798887
Point Huron is a peninsula that extends from the Lake St. Clair Metropark on Lake St. Clair. The area features a wide-open green area with trees that line the shores of the point. The area features stunning views of the lake and the surrounding area. The lake is shared by the United States and Canada. It is a part of the Great Lakes system and spans 430 square miles. It is often used by cargo ships arriving and departing the Detroit River. The frequent cargo ship traffic makes this a great location to fly a drone and capture great footage.
5 — Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (AMA Field)
3361 S Lapeer Rd, Orion Charter Township, MI 48360
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=42.738002&long=-83.227518
The Skymasters RC Club of Michigan runs and operates an AMA field located within Bald Mountain State Recreation Area. The airfield is located over Lower Trout Lake and the surrounding area. The club recently added a new field near the lake dedicated to drone pilots. Drone pilots will enjoy this wide-open area and its diverse topography. The entire recreational area is 4,637 acres with trails, lakes, cabins, and woods.
Source: Google Maps