The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Charlotte (2026)

In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Charlotte, North Carolina.

If you live in (or are traveling to) Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NC. Source: VFR Map

Charlotte Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial

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

Here’s a guide we put together for drone laws in North Carolina. Make sure to consult that to see if there are any local drone ordinances you should follow in Charlotte. 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]uavcoach[dot]com, and we’ll do our best to help you out.

Where to Fly a Drone in Charlotte

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

800 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28202

• Airspace Class: ClassB — Controlled
• Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=35.219160&long=-80.838980

Marshall Park is located right in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, and it offers fantastic views of the city. It spans just over six and a half acres and features a lake, large fountain, amphitheater, and a few monuments. There are also some open grass areas that make this a great location for flying a drone. The views of the city skyline reflecting across the lake are stunning and make for some incredible drone footage.

2 — David B. Waymer Aeromodeler Flying Field (AMA)

15401 Holbrooks Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

• Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
• Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=35.401166&long=-80.817716

The David B. Waymer Aeromodeler Flying Field is located just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, in Huntersville. The airfield is run and operated by the Waymer Aeromodeler Chapter. It welcomes all RC aircraft types, making it great for drones. There is a large 400-foot runway and an abundance of open space for flight. The property is surrounded by mature trees that really add to the pleasant scenery of the field.

Source: Aussersein

3 — Reedy Creek Park

2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213

• Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
• Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=35.268043&long=-80.715538

Reedy Creek Park spans just over 146 acres and is located within close proximity to downtown, Charlotte. It is also located adjacent to the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve which has two fishing ponds that are surrounded by beautiful mature trees. Drone pilots will appreciate the remote feel of this location and the open fields that serve as a great spot for drone flying.

Source: Google Maps

4 — Beatty’s Ford Park

8335 Shipley Ln, Denver, NC 28037

• Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
• Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=35.482098&long=-80.957610

Beatty’s Ford Park is located on one of the various peninsulas on Lake Norman, in Denver, North Carolina. It features an open grass area that is great for flying a drone. The park includes a boat launch and various recreational activities. Lake Norman was created by the Cowans Ford Dam from 1954-1964. It is the largest man-made reservoir in North Carolina, making it a great location to get some incredible drone footage.

Source: Insideroualmartinez

5 — Lewis-Brooks RC Airfield

555 Biggerstaff Landfill Road, Bessemer City, NC 28016

• Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
• Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=35.334861&long=-81.289325

Lewis-Brooks RC Airfield is maintained by the Gaston RC Flyers and it is located in Bessemer City, North Carolina. Drone pilots will enjoy the ample flying space and the rural feel of this location. The property features a large field with a runway that is surrounded by mature trees. Covered structures also provide a great place to set up equipment or to take a quick break.

Source: Google Maps 

Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Charlotte

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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte.