Idaho officials are looking for a landing spot to build a recreational airstrip as part of a new fly-in campground somewhere near Hells Canyon.
The state operates 31 recreational airstrips but has had a hard time creating a grass strip at Hells Gate State Park or near it due to restrictions and opposition by private landowners.
Officials with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Aeronautics Division say up to seven acres would be needed for a grass airstrip with a field to park the planes and an adjacent campground. Having a camping area near water and recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing and hiking are also key considerations.
Many of the 31 existing airstrips have camping sites and nearby activities, and some have courtesy cars that can be rented.
Officials point out that some of the Idaho sites are nationally known, such as Cavanaugh Bay at Priest Lake, Garden Valley north of Boise, and Johnson Creek east of McCall.
However, those airstrips have short seasons because of snowfall, and the state wants to build an airstrip at a lower elevation that can be used all year. (AP)
