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The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Nashville (2024)

A list of the top places to fly your drone in Nashville, Tennessee.

In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Nashville, TN.

If you live in (or are traveling to) Nashville, 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.

best places to fly a drone in nashville

A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Nashville, TN. Source: VFR Map

Nashville Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial

The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Nashville (or any city for that matter) is that under federal FAA regulations, you are either operating recreationally or commercially.

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 Nashville drone laws?

Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in Tennessee. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Nashville. 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 Nashville

Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Nashville 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 — Downtown Nashville

Nashville, TN 

The majority of downtown Nashville sits in Class G uncontrolled airspace. A great place to practice urban flying — watch out for low-flying helicopters and observe Davidson County’s ordinance prohibiting drones in certain parks. Hover over the Cumberland River for a unique perspective on the city. Look across the river to the Tennessee Titans Stadium and East Nashville.

fly drone downtown nashville

Source: Good Free Photos

2 — Cornelia Fort Airpark

1093-, 1199 Shadow Ln, Nashville, TN 37206

Cornelia Fort was the first female pilot to die on war duty in American history — the Cornelia Fort Airpark was built in 1945 near her family farm. In 2011, the 141-acre airport was acquired by the city of Nashville and brought under the auspices of East Nashville’s Shelby Park.

fly drone Cornelia Fort Airpark

Source: Eagledj

3 — J. Percy Priest Lake

Percy Priest Lake, Nashville, TN 37076

Back in 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers put J. Percy Priest Lake (and a number of other lakes in middle TN) on an approved list for drone operations. Percy Priest Dam is a particularly fun feature to explore. Please know that if you’re taking off and landing from a moving boat, you’ll want to have a strong understanding of how your sUAS ‘Return to Home’ functionality works.

fly drone percy priest lake

Source: Brian Stansberry

4 — Shelby Bottoms Railroad Bridge

1900 Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Nashville, TN 37206

While Shelby Bottoms Greenway sits in Class C airspace and requires you to follow proper notification and/or authorization rules from the FAA, there’s a lot of open and safe airspace to enjoy a beautiful sunny day. We recommend checking out the railroad bridge that spans the Cumberland River — it’s a great place to practice shooting the freight trains that roll on by.

Shelby Bottoms Greenway – Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge from Steve Smart on Vimeo.

5 — Edwin Warner RC Field

2547 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37221

Behind the baseball fields that sit on the northwest corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Vaughn Road is the Edwin Warner RC Field. This facility is managed by the Edwin Warner Model Aviators Club and was not only the first model aircraft field in Nashville but one of the oldest in the country. The club is chartered by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Here’s where to get a permit.

Source: Michael Hicks

Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Nashville

If you’re new to drones or looking to take your flight skills to the next level, we offer hands-on drone flight training in the Nashville area. Our classes start at 2-hours long, and our expert instructors walk you through what to do before, during and after your flight — you’ll practice intelligent flight modes and learn how to stay safe but also how to get the shots or data you need. During the class, you’ll also get a chance to ask questions about regulations, software, flight operations management, checklists and more.

Sign up for a hands-on drone flight training class in Nashville.