Best Places to Fly Drones in the U.S.: Drone Camping and Scenic Spots

If you love the outdoors and flying drones, why not combine both? Drone camping is a great way to explore nature, relax, and capture aerial shots you simply cannot get in the city. Whether you prefer mountains, forests, lakes or deserts, the U.S. has many places where you can camp under the stars and fly above them, as long as you follow the rules. This guide covers the best places to fly drones in the U.S., the rules to check before you launch, and tips to fly safely, legally and creatively.

Best Places to Fly Drones: Quick Answer

The best places to fly drones in the U.S. are open public lands where recreational and commercial flying is generally permitted: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, most national forests outside designated wilderness areas, AMA and community flying fields, and state or county parks that allow drones. Some of the country’s most scenic areas, including all National Park Service units, prohibit launching or landing a drone, so always check the land manager’s rules before you fly.

Where You Can Usually Fly

• BLM land. Huge areas of the West, including Alabama Hills in California and much of southern Utah, are generally open to drone flights. Avoid wilderness study areas and posted closures.
• National forests. Usually permitted outside designated wilderness areas and away from wildfire operations. Flying near a wildfire is illegal and stops aerial firefighting.
• Community flying fields. Sites run by FAA-recognized community-based organizations are built for drone and model aircraft flying.
• State and local parks. Rules vary by state and by park. Many require a permit or limit flights to designated areas.

Where You Cannot Fly Without Permission

• National parks, monuments and preserves managed by the National Park Service
• Within restricted airspace, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and near stadiums during events
• Controlled airspace near airports without LAANC or FAA authorization
• Over people or moving vehicles beyond what your operating category allows

Rules Checklist Before Every Flight

1. Check airspace in an FAA-approved app (B4UFLY or a LAANC provider).
2. Recreational pilots: pass the free TRUST test and carry proof. Commercial pilots: hold an FAA Part 107 certificate.
3. Register any drone over 250 grams, or any drone flown commercially, and meet Remote ID requirements.
4. Stay at or below 400 feet above ground level and keep the drone within visual line of sight.
5. Confirm the land manager’s rules for the park, forest or campground.

Best Places to Fly Drones by Region

• West: Alabama Hills (CA), BLM land around Moab (UT), Grand Staircase-Escalante outside wilderness areas (UT)
• Southwest and Texas: BLM and state land in New Mexico; check Texas state park permit rules
• Southeast: Ocala National Forest (FL), outside wilderness areas
• Northeast: White Mountain National Forest (NH), outside wilderness areas

Learn to Fly Anywhere With Confidence

Knowing where you can fly is part of flying safely and legally. Drone Universities has trained pilots since 2014, with FAA Certified Flight Instructors who travel to you in all 50 states. Request training for FAA Part 107 preparation or a hands-on flying lesson, or call 1.818.255.0406.

What Is Drone Camping?

Drone camping means taking your drone along on a camping trip so you can explore and film nature from a bird’s-eye view. You can shoot:

• Sunrise over a mountain ridge
• Misty lakes in the morning
• Open landscapes, from a respectful distance from wildlife
• Forests, waterfalls and deserts
• Your own campsite from above

It is a mix of adventure, photography and flying. To do it right, you need to know where to go and the rules that come with it.

Top Drone Camping Spots in the U.S.

Here are some scenic places to camp where drone flying is generally permitted, subject to local rules and closures:

1. Alabama Hills, California

A favorite of photographers and filmmakers, this area offers rugged rock formations and snow-capped Sierra Nevada views. It is BLM land, so drone flying is generally allowed outside posted closures.

2. BLM Land Around Moab, Utah

The public lands surrounding Moab offer red rock canyons, mesas and river bends. Fly only on BLM land; Arches and Canyonlands are national parks, where launching a drone is prohibited.

3. Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah

This BLM-managed national monument offers colorful cliffs, slot canyons and dark night skies. Fly only outside designated wilderness areas and wilderness study areas, and check current BLM guidance before your trip.

4. Ocala National Forest, Florida

Camp near clear springs and fly above green forests, winding rivers and wide lakes. Stay outside the forest’s designated wilderness areas and away from wildlife.

5. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

In fall, capture spectacular foliage from above. Flying is generally permitted in the national forest outside designated wilderness areas; check individual campground rules before launching. Important: Drones cannot be launched or landed in national parks or any other National Park Service unit, including Yosemite, Yellowstone and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and they are not permitted in federal wilderness areas. Always check the FAA B4UFLY app and the land manager’s or campground’s drone policy before flying.

Gear Tips for Drone Camping

Camping with a drone means packing smart. Here is what to bring:

• Drone and remote controller
• Extra batteries, since power outlets may be miles away
• Car charger or solar power bank
• ND filters for balanced shots in bright daylight
• Landing pad to protect your drone from dirt and gravel
• Hard case to keep your drone safe on the trail

Before every flight, check wind speed and GPS signal, and always carry a backup SD card.

Flying Legally and Safely While Camping

• Check airspace with the FAA’s B4UFLY app or a LAANC provider such as Aloft
• Avoid wildlife and never disturb animals while flying
• Fly at or below 400 feet and keep the drone in visual line of sight
• Do not fly over campsites or people without permission
• Respect privacy; being in nature does not mean you are alone

If you plan to shoot videos or photos for commercial use, including social media ads, you need an FAA Part 107 certificate. Drone Universities can help you get certified and trained to fly professionally, even in remote environments like these.

Creative Drone Shot Ideas for Camping Trips

• Orbit your campsite during golden hour
• Fly slowly and carefully along a tree line
• Track yourself hiking using ActiveTrack or waypoints
• Reveal a mountain view with a backward pull-away shot
• Capture a campfire scene from above at dusk, within the rules for night flying

Drone Universities’ photography and cinematography courses can teach you how to plan and execute these shots professionally. Whether you are capturing a sunrise over a canyon or filming the stars above your tent, drone camping is a rewarding experience. With the right gear, locations and FAA training, you can create nature videos that impress and inspire. Ready to start your drone career? Request training with Drone Universities. If you want hands-on instruction before your next trip, we offer drone photography and videography training and on-site FAA Part 107 training anywhere in the USA.