Best Places to Fly
Your Drone in Salt Lake

Antelope Island State Park is a unique place and a magnet for drone pilots and nature lovers. This is the place of the free-ranging bison, antelope, bighorn sheep, and a plethora of other desert animals. Situated on the Great Salt Lake at Syracuse, visitors get unparalleled views usually reserved for TV documentaries. The only problem for drone operators is knowing where to point the camera next. Don’t leave home without extra batteries.

There’s lots to do here when you’re not taking in the breathtaking view from your eye in the sky. It’s outdoor heaven for hikers, horse riders, mountain bikers, campers, and swimmers.

Note that drone flight in Antelope Island State Park is only allowed from December to February and only within the designated area and with the appropriate permit.

Ensign Peak offers you views of downtown Salt Lake City. Since the airport is so close to this location you will need to request authorization from the FAA using LAANC to fly here but the stunning views really make up for it. At the time of writing, the maximum height you can request to fly is 100 feet above the ground, but that's plenty if you take off from the peak of the mountain. There's so much you can see from your drone from this location.

The Great Salt Lake is what gave Salt Lake City its name. It's the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere and definitely worth exploring. There are thousands of acres of empty land. If you pick the right time of day to come here, you can get stunning sunset or sunrise images of the sun reflecting off the water.

Standing at 10,403 feet in Big Cottonwood Canyon is Kessler Peak and the 5.5-mile trail that leads up to it. The North Route is the least difficult and the easiest, but it’s still quite a trek. Thus, it pays to get into reasonable shape before you head up here. You may want to travel as light as possible too. The hike is well worth the effort for drone pilots who intend to film. The panoramic views from Kessler’s summit are phenomenal. You get to take in parts of Salt Lake Valley, Big Cottonwood Canyon (upper end), Mount Raymond, and the southern peaks.

The historical 80-acre Liberty Park is Salt Lake City’s second-biggest recreational space. The scenic location is picture perfect from the ground up. Pretty flowers, green lawns, mature shade trees, and a serene lake adorn its grounds. You can also take in views and water reflections of the distant mountains on clear days. This old, well-maintained urban park has something for everyone, whether you’re filming with drones, strolling, picnicking, or playing sports.

Little Mountain Summit is one of those places you could look at forever. It sits just east of Salt Lake City in the Emigration Canyon. The blue water views of Little Dell Reservoir and surrounding green-covered mountains are akin to those of a Scottish lock. Don’t drive by this place if you’re a drone photographer attracted to mountain lakes, perfect skies, and vast open spaces.

Sugarhouse is one of Salt Lake City's trendiest areas. It is packed full of cafes, restaurants, and nightlife. Although this is a busy park, it provides you with stunning views of the nearby snow packed mountains. There's a small lake at the park that ducks and other birds frequent.