Best Places to Fly
Your Drone in Baltimore

Lighthouse lovers are sure to admire the unconventional Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse. Its name comes from when the original structure sat on a small, 7ft rounded hill or Knoll in the Chesapeake Bay. The authorities replaced it with the modern lighthouse you see today, and moved it to the new location on the south end of Pier 5. It’s an unusual yet fascinating construction with a rich history. Drone pilots can film here and take in the magnificent bay views.

Patterson Park came to be in 1827 with just six acres of land, donated by a wealthy shipping merchant called William Patterson. Today, the property spans some 137-acres. It incorporates a boating lake, a marble fountain, wide-open green fields, historic battle sites, a pagoda, and a Pulaski monument. Camera drone pilots can capture unforgettable views of the downtown skyline and the plethora of picturesque sites this park has to offer.

The 745-acre historic Druid Hill Park is in northwest Baltimore, MD. Its southern focal point is the beautiful Druid Lake (once a reservoir). In the park’s northern end is an ancient natural wooded habitat. And the park’s center is home to Maryland Zoo. More generally, the park has a range of attractions for recreation visitors. The landscape boasts smooth-rolling hills, shady lawn areas, and charming water features throughout. There’s no shortage of scenic views for camera drones.

The 1,216-acre Leakin Park is a nearby oasis for folks wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Baltimore, MD. Some call it the ‘Gwynn Falls Leakin Park’ as it’s joined to the falls. This park has many beautiful, mature trees and secluded areas that once gave murderers a place to dump the bodies of their victims.

Today, the park is a much safer space and an attractive location for drone users. It has over 14 miles of wonderful hiking trails that offer many exciting spots to film from above. There’s also the scenic Gwynn Falls Stream flowing peacefully through the grounds. History buffs may want to visit the Orianda Mansion, once owned by the prominent Baltimorean,

The ship graveyard in Curtis Creek is perhaps one of the most unique sites not just in Maryland, but in the whole world. The derelict ships in Curtis Creek were those that broke apart back in World War I before they even were used. Flying a drone here can be quite challenging, but you can get good shots of the ship graveyard from the I-95 bridge.

The man-made Loch Raven Reservoir supplies drinking water to Baltimore, so flying directly over it is a no-go. You can maintain a safe distance from it, though, particularly from the Reservoir Park. This is an immensely beautiful place with hiking trails, dense vegetation, and crystal-clear waters. An entire afternoon won’t be enough to explore this area with your drone.

If you’re skilled enough to fly your drone in small spaces, then you might want to consider bringing it along on a visit to the Graffitti Alley in Baltimore. The street artwork here hits differently when you can capture them in images and videos from up high. The great thing about Graffitti Alley is that you never know what to expect when you get here – this is a piece of art that constantly evolves.

The Southwest Area Park has a dedicated RC flying field ran by the Southwest Area Park Modelers. You will need to be an AMA member to fly here, but guest pilots are welcomed by the club. The field operates on limited hours, so it would be best to consult with the club before making your way here.

The Inner Harbor is a tourism hub filled with some of the most distinct tourist spots in the city. Flying your drone over the waters of the Patapsco River, you can capture images of the West Shore Park, the historic ships moored in the maritime museum, the National Aquarium, and the Top of the World tower.

A serene lake right at the center of urban Baltimore, Lake Montebello is actually a man-made reservoir. The lake is surrounded by a 1.3-mile walking and biking path. Just beside the lake is a disc golf course and the Herring Run Park, both very good places to fly your drone and see the surrounding city.