The 5 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Richmond (2026)
A list of the best places to fly your drone in Richmond, Virginia.
In this article, we’ve scouted out the best places to fly a drone in Richmond, Virginia.
If you live in (or are traveling to) Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA. Source: VFR Map
Richmond Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial
The first thing to understand about flying a drone in Richmond (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 Richmond 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond
Alrighty—without further ado, here are our top picks for the best places to fly a drone in the Richmond 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 — Monroe Park
620 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=37.547539&long=-77.450873
Monroe Park is the oldest park in the Richmond, Virginia area and is adjacent to Virginia Commonwealth University. Across the street, there is the historic Altria Theater, a church, and a cathedral. The architectural details of these structures are stunning and would look phenomenal from an aerial perspective. Drone pilots will also enjoy the openness of the property and a sweeping view of the city skyline.
2— Brown’s Island
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=37.534698&long=-77.443588
Brown’s Island is situated between the Haxall Canal and the James River in Richmond, Virginia. The majority of the island is a wide-open green space that features an incredible view of the various bridges over the river and the Rivanna Subdivision Trestle that goes right over the island. With a downtown view and the trains rolling by, drone pilots will find that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Source: Ron Cogswell
3 — Bryan Park
4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=37.595104&long=-77.473670
Bryan Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in Richmond, Virginia. The park features large soccer fields, mature woods with walking trails, a stream, and a pleasant pond with a small dam. Drone pilots will appreciate the diverse landscape and the abundance of wildlife.
Source: Crazyale
4 — Forest Hill Park
4021 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA 23225
- Airspace Class: Class G —Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=37.519509&long=-77.473914
Forest Hill Park is located in Richmond, Virginia and was once a quarry, an estate, and then an amusement park before becoming the park that it is today. Its unique history has landed this location on the Virginia Historic Register. An old house, which is known as the Stone House can be found in the open field towards the front of the property. The sloping hills along the lake create a beautiful landscape that any drone pilot would enjoy.
Source: olekinderhook
5 — Three Lakes Park & Nature Center
400 Sausiluta Dr, Richmond, VA 23227
- Airspace Class: Class G — Uncontrolled
- Airspace Map: https://b4ufly.aloft.ai/?lat=37.618232&long=-77.430219
Three Lakes Park & Nature Center features various nature exhibits and is located in Richmond, Virginia. As the name implies, the property does have three beautiful lakes that are surrounded by mature woods with walking trails that wrap around the water’s edge. The property offers a serene experience all while being within close proximity of the city. Drone pilots who are looking for nature shots will find this to be a suitable location.
