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

A list of the best places to fly your drone in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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

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

fly drone Virginia Beach

A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Virginia Beach, VA. Source: VFR Map

Virginia Beach Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial

The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Virginia Beach (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 Virginia Beach drone laws?

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

Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Virginia Beach 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 — Virginia Beach Fishing Pier

1413 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is a seasonal fishing attraction located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It features sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean that make this a great location for some epic drone footage. The pier is a long wooden structure that extends out into the ocean that also provides a beautiful perspective of the beach and surrounding area. It is important to note that this is a high traffic area, please always remain vigilant when operating a drone here.

fly drone Virginia Beach Fishing Pier

Source: Virginia Hill

2 — Mount Trashmore Park

310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Mount Trashmore is a former landfill that was turned into a park in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Do not let the name fool you, this park is known for its pristine lakes, man-made mountains, and scenic views. Mount Trashmore stands at 60-feet tall above Lake Traashmore which offers a unique vantage point of the surrounding area. Echo Hill is the smaller mountain that overlooks Lake Windsor, which is fed by Thalia Creek. Drone pilots will enjoy the expansive green areas and beautiful scenery.

fly drone Mount Trashmore

Source: PatrickRohe

3 — Stumpy Lake Natural Area

4797 Indian River Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Stumpy Lake Natural Area is a 1,422-acre park located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It features fantastic views of Stumpy Lake and the surrounding mature forest. The serene location is perfect for drone pilots who are looking for some great nature footage. The lake also is home to various cypress trees that stand tall above the water creating a picturesque setting.

fly drone Stumpy Lake

Source: PumpkinSky

4 — Oak Grove Lake Park

409 Byron St, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Oak Grove Lake Park is a 65-acre park located in Chesapeake, Virginia. Oak Grove Lake is beautiful and it is easy to see why it’s a favorite among the locals. Mature trees and a 1.5-mile walking trail around the lake make this location a great getaway. Drone pilots will appreciate the stunning landscape that provides ample aerial footage opportunities.

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Oak Grove Lake Park

5 — Great Bridge Lock Park

100 Locks Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Great Bridge Locks Park is a 19-acre peninsula in Chesapeake, Virginia located where the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal meet the Elizabeth River. It gets its name from the locks that separate the saltwater from the freshwater in the canal. This location is great for drone pilots who enjoy recording boats. The canal which runs from Maine to Key West, Florida, is used frequently by yachts to travel up and down the east coast. The incredible scenery of the surrounding area, in addition to the boat traffic, make this an ideal location for drone footage.

fly drone Great Bridge Lock Park

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers