Rustler Canyon

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Airstrip Info

Frequency	122.90
Elevation	4628 ft
Lat/Long	38.2724, -109.7263 38° 16.344' , -109° 43.578'
Runway 14/32	1848 ft x 45 ft Dirt Road Rwy 14 Uphill 0.4%
Ownership	SITLA

Amenities

Windsocks

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 October 17, 2024 @ 2:10pm

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: Runway drops of rapidly on the northwest edge. Terrain rises 15 to 20 feet on the southeast edge. Should be considered soft as of Oct., 2024 until rains harden it. Soft ½ to one-foot berms both sides of runway, full length. No cell service. 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.

Parking: Parking area at the northeast end of the airstrip.

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

Attractions: Landing strip is located in Lockhart Basin near the Bears Ears National Monument and is extremely remote. Pilots seeking solitude will appreciate the area. Dark Skys. May be possible to hike to the Colorado River. Estimate 2 to 3 miles. This landing strip is open for recreational use by any pilot. Prior permission is not required but use at your own risk as is not inspected regularly. UBCP does not allow commercial use of the
landing strip.

Inspected: The airstrip was recently bladed by San Juan County in October 2024.

William Lipscomb visited 3 years ago in a Cub Type with 31" tires

Getting very narrow and needs a work party

2 Likes , 0 Comments

Karen Larson visited 4 years ago in a Super Cub with 31” tires

Narrow long strip. Encroaching vegetation, but in good shape. Extremely picturesque on a non-hazy day!

1 Like , 0 Comments

Gary Hilley visited 4 years ago in a Super Cub with 31 tires

Rutting has become worse, but still very usable.

1 Like , 0 Comments

Roger Rollins visited 5 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.

0 Likes , 0 Comments

Randy Owen visited 5 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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Thanks to the hard work of the UBCP Board, the Rustler Canyon Airstrip is open for private non-commercial recreational use. Through this relationship, the airstrip has been recently re-graded as of October 2024.