Did you know that the name Vermont comes from the French phrase “vert mont,” which means “green mountain?” And it’s for good reason.
The state of Vermont is home to the beautiful Green Mountains—a mountain range that runs for 250 miles from the south of the state to the Canadian border. Its the beautiful mountains and forests that make Vermont a great place to fly drones and capture scenic aerial footage!
In this article, we’ll go over relevant drone flaws and then give you our top 7 picks for places to fly drones in Vermont.
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Drone Laws in Vermont - U.S. Federal Drone Laws
No matter where you are in the US, you need to follow drone laws set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They fall into two categories:
- Recreational drone flying rules—These are for anyone flying drones for fun. Some of the requirements include passing The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), registering your drone for $5 if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs, and getting Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) before flying in controlled airspace.
- Commercial drone flying rules—If you’re getting paid to fly your drone, you need to follow the FAA’s Part 107 drone rules. You’ll also need to register your drone, be at least 16 years old, and pass a knowledge test.
NOTE: This article is purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the responsibility of the pilot to properly research, follow, and abide to all local, state, or federal aviation laws. FAA permission may be required for flight within these listed locations.
Local and State Drone Laws for Vermont
Each state in the US has its own drone laws. Fortunately, there aren’t too many in Vermont.
The only relevant state law (that we’re aware of) prohibits you from weaponizing your drone, which hopefully you would never do anyway.
As for local drone laws in Vermont, the Vermont State Airport requires you to notify them with a form before flying anywhere within its vicinity.
Whatever you do, check local drone regulations before each flight. That way, you never have to worry about getting in trouble with the law.
Now, without further ado, here are the top 7 places to fly drones in Vermont:
The Best Places to Fly a Drone in Vermont
Video Credit: Mikhail Andriushchenko
1. Lake Champlain
First up, we have Lake Champlain. This is a natural freshwater lake that straddles the Vermont-New York border and stretches 124.9 miles all the way up to Canada.
What’s nice about this lake is that its coastline is relatively undeveloped. So there are plenty of good spots to launch your drone and fly it over the gorgeous blue water or one of the lake’s many islands. You can also fly over the 2,200-foot long Lake Champlain Bridge. Its large arch makes for some unique drone shots for sure.
Though most of Lake Champlain is in unrestricted Class G airspace, some small sections will require LAANC approval due to the nearby Burlington International Airport (KBTV).
Video Credit: The Travelling Bhuiyans
2. Quechee Gorge
Next, check out Quechee Gorge. At 165 deep, it’s the deepest gorge in Vermont. The Ottauquechee River flows through the bottom of the gorge surrounded by dense green forest. So this is an excellent place to catch some stunning views.
You can also head over to the historic Quechee Gorge Bridge built in 1911. It’s 285 feet long and Vermont’s oldest surviving steel arch bridge. If you photograph it from a distance, you’ll get a scenic shot with the gorge in the foreground.
Because Lebanon Municipal Airport (KLEB) is just 2 miles to the east, Quechee Gorge falls into controlled Class D airspace, so you’ll need to get LAANC approval before flying.
Video Credit: your5best
3. Montpelier
Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont located in the center of the state. If you fly here, you have to check out the Vermont State House built in 1859. It’s a gold-domed Greek Revival structure that’s great for photographing from above.
After that, head over to Hubbard Park right behind the capitol building. It’s got thick birch groves and meadows that you can fly over along with a historic 54-foot stone observation tower.
Otherwise, you can always check out the Winooski River that runs along the city and try to get some cool water shots.
Montpelier sits just north of Edward F. Knapp State Airport (KMPV), so it falls into controlled Class E airspace, which requires LAANC approval before flying.
Video Credit: littlelarry33
4. Mt. Mansfield
If you want to get some great views of the entire state, go to Mt. Mansfield. It’s the highest peak in Vermont reaching 4,395 feet above sea level.
The mountain is popular for skiing in the winter, but you can also hike up it in the summer to fly your drone. And it’s one of two places in Vermont where you can find Arctic Tundra from the Ice Ages.
Don’t worry about special flight restrictions because the entire mountain falls under uncontrolled Class G airspace.
Video Credit: Green Mountain Drone
5. Stowe
About 8 miles south-east of Mt. Mansfield, you’ll find the little town of Stowe. Here, you can fly over Sunset Rock, a wooded park on a hill, to capture some scenic views of the forest. Or you can fly over the winding Little River that runs along the west of town.
The entire town falls into Class G airspace, so you can fly pretty much anywhere you want so long as you watch out for other aircraft and don’t disturb anyone.
Video Credit: Kyle Nelson
6. Bennington Battle Monument
In the south-western corner of Vermont in the city of Bennington, you’ll find the Bennington Battle Monument. It’s a 306-foot tall stone obelisk built to commemorate the Battle of Bennington in the American Revolutionary War. The impressive structure stands in a grass field and can be seen from miles away. If you fly your drone around it, you’re sure to get some cool aerial footage.
The monument is in Class G airspace, so you can fly here without getting special approval.
Video Credit: Martin Perhiniak
7. Green Mountain National Forest
Finally, you can’t leave Vermont without flying your drone in its namesake—the Green Mountain National Forest. It has nearly 400 acres of trees that change beautiful colors in the fall and lots of lakes and ponds as well.
The forest is in Class G airspace, but make sure to stay away from the three national trails that run through it: the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, and the Robert Frost National Recreation Trail.
Connecting with Drone Pilots in Vermont
Well that’s it! The 7 best places to fly drones in Vermont. If you want to get more involved in the Vermont drone flying scene, check out the Vermont Drone Club on Facebook or the Northern New England Drone User Group (NNEDUG) in Burlington.
And if you need professional drone services, we’ve got you covered. Our expert drone pilots are familiar with all Vermont drone laws and can help you film events, make promotional business videos, and more! Contact us today for a free consultation.
This article is purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the responsibility of the pilot to properly research, follow, and abide to all local, state, or federal aviation laws. FAA permission may be required for flight within these listed locations.
