New Backcountry Airstrip Opens in Idaho

Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation's remote public-use facility sits in the southwest corner of state.

Amelia Walsh

Friday, June 06, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation has officially opened a new public-use airstrip at its Star Valley Ranch property in Idaho. [Courtesy: JRBAF]

Key Takeaways:

The Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation (JRBAF) has opened a new public-use airstrip at its Star Valley Ranch property in remote southwest Idaho.
Built by volunteers, the 1,250-foot airstrip sits at 4,740 feet elevation and includes amenities such as tie-downs, picnic tables, a fire ring, and dedicated aircraft camping facilities.
Believed to be the most remote recreational-use airstrip in the contiguous U.S., it requires pilots experienced in mountain/canyon flying and aircraft equipped for rough field and high-density altitude operations.
This is JRBAF's second public-use property, aligning with its mission to expand access to backcountry aviation for current and future generations of pilots.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation (JRBAF) has officially opened a new public-use airstrip at its Star Valley Ranch property in the remote southwest corner of Idaho.

Built over a three-day period with the help of Idaho Aviation Association volunteers, the 1,250-foot airstrip sits at a field elevation of 4,740 feet. It includes key amenities for visiting aviators such as a windsock, aircraft tie-downs, picnic tables, a steel fire ring, firewood and an outhouse. The site also has dedicated aircraft camping facilities.