Rustler Canyon

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Airstrip Info

Frequency	122.90
Elevation	4669 ft
Lat/Long	38.2724, -109.7263 38° 16.344' , -109° 43.578'
Runway 13/31	1500 ft x 20 ft Dirt Road Rwy 13 Uphill 0.4%
Ownership	SITLA

Weather

See more at the National Weather Center

Backcountry airstrips are inherently dangerous. It is the sole responsibility of the Pilot in Command to ascertain airstrip conditions prior to use. Be certain to consider environmental, aircraft, and personal factors when determining suitability. Use of the airstrips is at the sole discretion of the Pilot in Command. Fly safe!

Information updated December 7, 2022 @ 9:42pm

Description: Sitting at the base of the Needles Overlook Rustler Canyon is one of the closest airstrips to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. An intense 4x4 trail named Lockhart Basin connects Moab to the Needles District and runs along the base of the canyon. The road passing through the airstrip heads out to Newberry Butte Overlook which is part of the Indian Creek Wilderness Study. A section of the Hayduke Trail which spans from Zion to Arches National Park can be accessed from here. In the evening the light on the cliffs can offer a spectacular photo opportunity. Please be cognizant of the proximity to the park areas.

Runway: Generally the winds are favorable here even if the surrounding areas are not. The runway orientation is well suited for the prevailing winds. Each end has a turn around that will accommodate most type aircraft. The ground is normally firm and smooth enough that high float tires are not required. Slight ruts in the middle of the runway on both ends but firm on either side.

Parking: Parking at the midpoint. The ground here is firm and flat and offers a good camping location. No cell phone coverage.

Approach: Nothing over complicated here. This is shared use with a road and a good runway survey is prudent.

Roger Rollins visited 4 years ago in a Maule M5 180C with 8.50 tires

Echo comments by Randy. This is a picturesque spot. With a little work on the runway, could be a destination for several planes at a time. Not smooth, but quite landable. Pretty flat, so either direction for ldg/to. Was just a bit buggy the day we were there. Not much wind.

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Randy Owen visited 4 years ago in a Zenith 701 with 800 x 6 tires

Flew into Rustler Canyon this morning. It is in surprisingly good shape. Landing 31, there is some minor lengthwise rutting (2-3” deep) caused be water runoff for the first couple hundred feet or so (see closeup photos). The surface seemed plenty firm. Several stretches of the runway have weeds/flowers growing in the center, about a foot high. However, there is no sagebrush, so it’s fairly safe to roll through. One morning with a string trimmer would make it about perfect. I’d never been there before, and I have to say it’s one of the most beautiful locations I’ve ever flown into. This strip is a hidden gem. I saw no other aircraft tracks, only some pretty old vehicle tracks.

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Randy Owen visited 12 years ago in a Zenith 701 with 800x6 tires

There are a couple areas of washout going across the runway, maybe 4-5” deep. One is about a third of the way down landing northwest, the other maybe a fourth of the way down landing southeast. Otherwise the runway is in relatively good shape.

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