Best Places to Fly
Your Drone in Chicago

The 319-acre Grant Park (formally Lake Park) is a remarkable urban recreational space close to downtown Chicago. What drone pilots like about this place are the amazing views of the city skyline, especially at twilight. The well-kept gardens and extensive views of Lake Michigan add further to aerial footage potential.

Promontory Point is a remarkable 12-acre park found in Chicago, Illinois. It’s extraordinary because it’s a manmade peninsula. Moreover, it extends majestically out into Lake Michigan as if it’s always been there. The raised central meadow provides some of the most awe-inspiring views of the lake and distant Chicago skyline. Drone operators who enjoy blue water and high-rise backdrops have lots of flying space and filming opportunities here.

The Midlothian Meadows is one of the few recreation areas in the Cook County that have been identified as being safe for drone flight. It’s not a very large park, though, and can get crowded on busy days. It has excellent paved trails, areas with thick vegetation, and has a nice view of a nearby creek. You can fly your drone in Midlothian Meadow but be careful about flying it over other people.

The Chicago Riverwalk is another favorite spot for flying drones. It’s a pedestrian waterfront on the Chicago River’s south bank covering Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. There’s plenty of activity along the strip. It offers entertainment, restaurants, boat rentals, places to sit, and other amenities for visitors. However, it’s the various river bridges and surrounding skyscrapers that appeal to camera drone users looking to catch stunning cityscapes.

Lake Michigan never fails to deliver on its variety of filming opportunities for camera drones. It’s also the perfect oasis for cycling, kayaking, picnics, or just chilling with friends. The wide-open spaces along the lake are ideal for flying and filming with drones. Those who prefer something a little less conventional can explore Montrose Harbor behind the main beach.

Point to note: Montrose Beach is a natural sanctuary for migrating birds. Please be vigilant of bird traffic, especially during the migratory seasons that start around mid-September.

The Ned Brown Model Airplane Flying Field welcomes all RC airplanes and drones at its designated areas. These designated spaces are perfect places to meet like-minded others and to home in one’s flying skills. The location is at Rolling Meadows, IL, close to the Ned Brown Forest Preserve, hence the name. New applicants need an AMA membership to fly here.

The Blue Star Memorial Woods is best accessed from the corner of Wilmette Ave and Harms Rd. This is a heavily forested area with several walking and biking trails, historical bunkers, and a river that runs across the woods. This is a great spot for testing out FPV drones or just for casual drone flight. The forest is usually not very crowded so finding a nice, quiet spot should be easy.

This 245-acre floodplain forest offers a huge open space for drone flight. There are several excellent photography spots here including th dense woods, event pavilion, savanna area, and the Des Plaines river. The Thatcher Woods is also a favorite spot for bird watching so always be aware of your surroundings and try to fly with a visual observer.

The Thorn Creek Model Airplane Flying Field in Chicago Heights is an AMA flying field operated by the Thorn Creek RC Club. This is a great spot to fly if you prefer flying with other people with similar interests. You likely will need to be a member of the RC Club to fly here, which will entail additional membership costs.