fbpx

The 4 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Seattle (2024)

A list of the best places to fly your drone in Seattle, Washington.

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

If you live in (or are traveling to) Seattle, 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 seattle

A Sectional Chart of the airspace surrounding Seattle, WA. Source: VFR Map

Seattle Drone Laws — Recreational vs. Commercial

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

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

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

Note: Drones are prohibited in Seattle parks according to this local ordinance, which makes it very difficult to find a place to fly your drone. We haven’t found any locations to fly legally in Seattle, but we offer some nearby alternatives below.

1 — Luther Burbank Park

2040 84th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040

Luther Burbank Park is located on the northern end of Mercer Island, which is situated on Lake Washington. Its close proximity to downtown Seattle, Washington, makes it an ideal location. The beach area offers stunning views of Lake Washington with views of the downtown skyline off in the distance.

Drone Mercer island

2 — Marymoor

Redmond, WA 98052

The Marymoor Park Airfield is one of the few parks in the Seattle area where it is legal to fly drones. The airfield is run and operated by the Marymoor RC Club; which is an AMA field (requires a membership). It features a wide-open green area, which is perfect for flight practice. The park sits on the northern end of Lake Sammamish, where the Sammamish River feeds into the lake. The wooded shoreline and beautiful views of the lake make this a great location to fly a drone in Seattle.

fly drone Marlow park

Source: Kayamon

3 — 60 Acres Park

15200 NE 116th St, Redmond, WA 98052

60 Acres is a King County Park, and it’s currently leased to the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association. When it’s not in use for soccer, it is open for various activities, including model aircraft flying. 60 Acres North is 37 acres in size, and 60 Acres South, across the road, is 20 acres. Both fields are open to fixed-wing, heli, and drone pilots unless there is a conflicting scheduled event (check the LWYSA calendar). Drone pilots will appreciate the wide-open fields and the ability to fly with other aviation enthusiasts.

NOTE: King County requires that all pilots be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and abide by AMA regulations. For more information about the AMA club/operations, please visit the Seattle Area Soaring Society website.

RC flying at 60 Acres Park

4 — Marlow Anderson RC Field

24041 276th Ave SE, Hobart, WA 98038

The Marlow Anderson RC Field is located outside of Seattle, Washington, in Hobart, Washington. This AMA field is run and operated by the Lake Sawyer Hawks. The airfield features a grass runway situated on the southern end of the property. This wide-open area is perfect for drone pilots and it is surrounded by densely wooded scenery.

fly drone Marlow RC Field

Source: Google Maps

Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Seattle

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 Seattle 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 Seattle.