Best Places to Fly
Your Drone in Jacksonville

You can launch your drone either at the sandy beach or at the boardwalk itself to get good views of the surrounding St. Johns River. Reddie Point Preserve is a very popular fishing spot, so try to avoid disturbing the fish with your drone.

The 336-acre William F. Sheffield Regional Park is a new addition to Jacksonville’s northside. It was a dairy farm until 2003, and now it’s the fifth-largest park in the area. There’s a range of amenities, including soccer fields, trails, a launch site for canoes and kayaks, a fishing pier, and more besides. The main aerial attraction for drone operators is the park’s pristine blue Lake Dumont and surrounding pine forest.

Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville sits on the banks of St. Johns River, which is the longest in Florida. Drone users get to enjoy around 21- acres of open green space and scenic views to fly their craft. This popular space also hosts many music concerts and festivals at different times, so it’s not always open for R/C models. Be sure to check for availability before you plan to fly.

The 2-acre Oceanfront Park is a perfect location for people who love the beach. It’s an easy place to navigate and offers a plethora of exciting attractions and amenities for visitors. Well-established palm trees and other vegetation line the large, pathed circular walkway. The park’s focal point is the famous statue of a boy riding on the back of a Bottlenose dolphin. Camera drone operators enjoy this space for its spectacular ocean views looking back at the land.

Alexandria Oaks Park is a moderately large parks with lots of trees and a good view of the St. Johns River. Most people come here to walk their dogs. In summer and spring, the park comes alive with colorful flowers. If you’re looking for a good vantage point of downtown Jacksonville, the Alexandria Oaks Park is a great launching spot for your drone.

For something completely different, how about recording aerial videos of skaters over at the Kona Skate Park? Flying a drone directly over the skaters is discouraged, so we recommend launching your drone from Kona Avenue or the nearby open field. Make sure to ask for permission from the park administration before recording.

The iconic John T. Alsop Bridge is a great subject for drone photography. This classical steel lift bridge crosses the St. Johns River. At night, the bridge looks even better with its lights. If you’re looking for a drone shot that distinctly represents Jacksonville, you can’t do much better than the John T. Alsop Jr. Bridge.