Best Places to Fly
Your Drone in Nashville
Welcome to this wiki. The goal of this wiki is to crowd-source drone information. Having said that, information may be inaccurate, out-of-date, and should not be relied upon for legal advice.
Nashville Drone Flying
Locations Map
1. Percy Priest Lake
The scenic 42-mile long Percy Priest Lake is in north-central Tennessee, formed by the J. Percy Priest Dam. It’s a well-visited recreation area with marinas, boating, restaurants, fishing, and campgrounds. The surrounding landscape covers some 18,854 acres, with 10,000 acres dedicated to wildlife management. The surrounding green parks, lake views, the dam, and picturesque treescape, guarantees some epic aerial footage. It’s best to launch from Seven Points Campground to avoid any complications of flying drones near the dam.
NOTE: There have been reports of “No Drone” signs in certain spots of the dam. Proceed with caution and ask for permission to fly here, if possible.
2. Shelby Bottoms Greenway Railroad Bridge
Shelby Bottoms Greenway is part of Nashville’s network of urban greenways. These scenic strips of land lead to—or pass by—open spaces, recreation spots, and city areas. Shelby Bottoms Greenway is in Nashville’s East Hill section, next to the Cumberland River. Camera drone pilots love to record aerial footage of the old 1913, 300ft railroad bridge. It’s a working structure, so there’s every chance you’ll get to record freight trains crossing the river at various times.
Point to note: The airspace around Shelby Bottoms Greenway is Class C (controlled). It’s okay to fly here, but you must follow FAA notification/authorization protocols in advance.
3. Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville is a vibrant area of incredible diversity. It’s the place to go for fine dining, cheap eats, entertainment, world-class art, and much more. Drone pilots can also practice their urban flying and filming skills here, thanks to the Class G airspace. Some areas are off-limits, so make sure you’re up to date on current rules before you fly. Favorite places to film are along the Cumberland River, its bridges, waterfront reflections, and the impressive urban skyline.
4. Edwin Warner RC Field
Contact Edwin Warner Model Aviators Club (EWMA) if you want to fly at Edwin Warner RC Field. It’s one of the oldest official R/C (electric-only) airfields in the US and the first in Nashville. Beginner and advanced pilots of multi-rotor drones are welcome to operate here with a permit. EWMA is a friendly, safe environment for anyone at any age interested in RC aircraft. It’s a great place to improve piloting skills, make new friends, and mingle with like-minded others.
