Oklahoma boasts diverse landscapes, from picturesque lakes to rolling plains, making it an ideal destination for drone photography enthusiasts. In this listicle, we’ve compiled the top 5 locations in Oklahoma that provide the perfect backdrop for capturing stunning aerial shots with your drone. From state parks to urban landmarks, these spots are sure to elevate your drone photography game.
1. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is an idyllic destination for drone enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and rugged terrain. Here, we’ll explore the key features that make this location a great place to fly a drone and capture stunning aerial photography.
Spectacular Mountain Views
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge boasts breathtaking mountain views, with granite peaks rising majestically from the landscape. These impressive formations provide a dramatic backdrop for drone photography, allowing pilots to capture the grandeur and scale of these natural wonders from unique perspectives.
Diverse Wildlife
One of the highlights of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is its diverse wildlife population. The refuge is home to an array of species, including bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. Flying a drone in this area allows for unparalleled opportunities to observe and document these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, potentially capturing incredible footage of their behavior and interactions.
Varied Landscapes
In addition to its mountainous terrain, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge features a variety of landscapes, such as prairies, forests, and lakes. These diverse ecosystems provide drone pilots with a range of visual elements to incorporate into their photography, from the vibrant colors of wildflowers and foliage to the reflective surfaces of serene lakes.
Location and Accessibility
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is conveniently located near Lawton, Oklahoma, making it easily accessible for drone enthusiasts from the surrounding region. Its proximity to major roads and highways ensures that visitors can easily reach this picturesque destination.
Hours of Operation
The refuge is open year-round, with daily hours from sunrise to sunset, allowing drone pilots ample time to explore the area and capture stunning images in various lighting conditions. Whether you prefer the soft hues of sunrise or the golden glow of sunset, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers the perfect setting for unforgettable drone photography.
Contact Information
For more information about the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website or call (580) 429-3222. Plan your visit today and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this remarkable location from the unique vantage point of your drone.
2. Turner Falls Park
Turner Falls Park, home to the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma, provides drone pilots with an excellent opportunity to capture mesmerizing aerial footage of the cascading waters and the surrounding natural beauty. In this section, we will delve into the key features of this picturesque location that make it an ideal spot for drone enthusiasts.
Oklahoma’s Tallest Waterfall
At 77 feet, Turner Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oklahoma, offering a stunning focal point for drone photography. The powerful cascade of water creates a visually striking spectacle, making it a prime subject for aerial footage. As the water flows over the rocky cliffs and into the pool below, drone pilots can capture the dynamic movement and energy of the falls from various angles and elevations.
Scenic Hiking Trails and Natural Swimming Areas
Turner Falls Park features a network of scenic hiking trails that wind through the lush forests and along the meandering streams, providing a multitude of picturesque scenes for drone photography. The park also boasts natural swimming areas, where visitors can cool off in the crystal-clear waters or relax on the surrounding rocks. These locations offer unique opportunities to document the interaction between people and nature from a bird’s-eye perspective.
Majestic Rock Formations
The park’s majestic rock formations are another key attraction, adding texture and dimension to the landscape. These impressive geological features, sculpted by natural forces over time, serve as a stunning backdrop for aerial photography. Capturing these dramatic formations from above can provide a new perspective on their scale and beauty, revealing intricate details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Location and Accessibility
Turner Falls Park is conveniently located in Davis, Oklahoma, making it an accessible destination for drone pilots from the surrounding area. Its proximity to major roads and highways ensures that visitors can easily reach this picturesque location and begin their aerial photography adventure.
Hours of Operation
The park is open year-round, with daily hours from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., providing ample opportunities for drone pilots to explore the area and capture stunning images in various lighting conditions. Whether you prefer the soft morning light or the warm glow of the evening, Turner Falls Park offers a visually captivating setting for your drone photography.
Contact Information
For more information about Turner Falls Park, visit the Turner Falls Park website or call (580) 369-2988. Plan your visit today and experience the breathtaking beauty of this remarkable location through the lens of your drone.
3. Pops Arcadia
Pops Arcadia, a distinctive roadside attraction along the historic Route 66, offers a one-of-a-kind setting for drone photography enthusiasts. The iconic 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture, coupled with the colorful LED lights, creates a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for striking aerial shots. In this section, we’ll explore the key features of Pops Arcadia that make it an exceptional location for drone pilots.
Iconic Route 66 Roadside Attraction
As one of the most famous highways in the United States, Route 66 is synonymous with road trips, Americana, and classic roadside attractions. Pops Arcadia embodies this spirit, providing a whimsical and eye-catching landmark that pays tribute to the road’s nostalgic past. Capturing aerial footage of this iconic location allows drone pilots to document a piece of American history from a unique perspective.
66-Foot Tall Soda Bottle Sculpture
The centerpiece of Pops Arcadia is the impressive 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture, which stands as a testament to the site’s dedication to all things soda. This towering structure provides an exceptional subject for aerial photography, offering a chance to capture its scale and design from various angles and elevations. The sculpture’s height also creates a striking contrast against the surrounding landscape, resulting in visually captivating images.
Colorful LED Lighting
Adding to the allure of Pops Arcadia, the soda bottle sculpture is adorned with vibrant LED lights that illuminate the structure from dusk until dawn. These colorful lights create a dynamic and energetic atmosphere, providing drone pilots with a unique opportunity to capture the attraction’s lively essence. The interplay between the LED lights and the surrounding environment can result in dramatic and eye-catching aerial footage.
Location and Accessibility
Pops Arcadia is conveniently situated along Route 66 in Arcadia, Oklahoma, making it an easily accessible destination for drone pilots. The site’s location along the historic highway ensures that visitors can effortlessly include Pops Arcadia as a stop on their road trip or as a standalone destination for aerial photography.
Hours of Operation
The attraction is open year-round, with the LED lights illuminating the soda bottle sculpture from dusk to dawn. This schedule provides drone pilots with ample opportunities to explore the area and capture stunning images in various lighting conditions, from the soft twilight hues to the vivid nighttime illumination.
Contact Information
For more information about Pops Arcadia, visit the Pops Arcadia website or call (405) 928-7677. Plan your visit today and discover the remarkable visual appeal of this unique roadside attraction through the lens of your drone.
4. Myriad Botanical Gardens
Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma City, Myriad Botanical Gardens offers a lush, urban oasis that serves as a breathtaking setting for drone photography. The 17-acre park boasts a diverse range of plants, serene water features, and the striking Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. In this section, we’ll delve into the key features that make Myriad Botanical Gardens an exceptional location for capturing stunning aerial images.
Lush Urban Park Setting
Myriad Botanical Gardens is a verdant retreat amid the bustling cityscape of downtown Oklahoma City. The beautifully landscaped park provides a tranquil backdrop for drone photography, as it showcases the harmonious coexistence of nature and urban development. Aerial images of this lush urban park can emphasize the contrast between the surrounding cityscape and the vibrant greenery within the park’s boundaries.
Diverse Plant Life and Water Features
The gardens feature an impressive array of plant life, including native and exotic species that create a tapestry of colors and textures throughout the park. Additionally, tranquil water features such as ponds, fountains, and waterfalls add a sense of serenity and further enhance the park’s visual appeal. Drone pilots can capture stunning footage of these diverse elements, showcasing the gardens’ rich biodiversity and the soothing presence of water within the landscape.
Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory
One of the most iconic features of Myriad Botanical Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, a remarkable architectural structure that houses a tropical rainforest with over 750 plant varieties. The conservatory’s unique design, with its soaring glass walls and dramatic curves, provides an exceptional focal point for aerial photography. Drone pilots can capture striking images of this architectural gem from various angles and elevations, highlighting its distinctive form within the broader park setting.
Location and Accessibility
Myriad Botanical Gardens is conveniently situated in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, making it an easily accessible destination for drone pilots. The central location ensures that visitors can effortlessly incorporate a visit to the gardens into their exploration of the city or as a dedicated destination for aerial photography.
Hours of Operation
The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering ample opportunities for drone pilots to capture images in various lighting conditions, from the soft glow of dawn to the warm hues of sunset. Meanwhile, the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory is open Tuesday-Sunday with varying hours, providing additional opportunities to photograph the remarkable structure during its operating hours.
Contact Information
For more information about Myriad Botanical Gardens, visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens website or call (405) 445-7080. Plan your visit today and discover the stunning visual appeal of this urban oasis through the lens of your drone.
Steeped in history and folklore, Robbers Cave State Park offers drone enthusiasts the unique opportunity to explore and capture the park’s striking sandstone cliffs, caves, and lush forests from the sky. In this section, we’ll highlight the key features that make Robbers Cave State Park a fascinating and picturesque location for aerial photography.
Sandstone Cliffs and Caves
Robbers Cave State Park is characterized by its dramatic sandstone cliffs and caves, which provide a visually stunning backdrop for aerial images. Drone pilots can capture the rugged beauty of these geological formations from various angles and elevations, showcasing the intricate patterns and textures created by years of erosion and weathering.
Picturesque Hiking Trails and Scenic Vistas
The park boasts a network of picturesque hiking trails that wind through its diverse landscapes, offering breathtaking scenic vistas along the way. Drone photography can highlight the park’s lush forests, tranquil streams, and panoramic views, providing a bird’s-eye perspective of the captivating scenery that awaits hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Historic Significance as a Former Outlaw Hideout
Robbers Cave State Park is steeped in history and legends, as it once served as a hideout for notorious outlaws such as Jesse James and Belle Starr. Aerial photography can provide a unique perspective on this historic site, capturing the landscape that once provided refuge to these infamous figures. Drone pilots can also document the remnants of structures and landmarks related to the park’s storied past.
Location and Accessibility
Robbers Cave State Park is conveniently located in Wilburton, Oklahoma, making it an easily accessible destination for drone pilots and visitors alike. Its central location ensures that visitors can effortlessly incorporate a visit to the park into their exploration of the region or as a dedicated destination for aerial photography.
Hours of Operation
The park is open year-round, with daily hours from sunrise to sunset. This schedule provides ample opportunities for drone pilots to capture images in various lighting conditions, from the soft glow of dawn to the warm hues of sunset.
Contact Information
For more information about Robbers Cave State Park, visit the Oklahoma Tourism website or call (918) 465-2562. Plan your visit today and discover the historic charm and natural beauty of Robbers Cave State Park through the lens of your drone.
Conclusion
Exploring Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes with your drone is a fantastic way to appreciate the state’s natural beauty and capture stunning aerial photography. However, always remember to check federal, state, and local laws before flying your drone in any of these locations.
To elevate your drone photography skills even further, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on building and growing your drone business. If you’re interested in LiDAR or Orthomosaic projects or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Blue Falcon Aerial through our contact page.
