Gila Backcountry Airstrips
The Gila National Forest has six rural, backcountry airstrips that are available for public access and use. They are maintained and improved through partnership with the Recreational Aviation Foundation and New Mexico Pilots Association.
Gila Backcountry Airstrips
Location & Description The Beaverhead Airstrip is in the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, 39 miles north of Silver City, NM. More specifically, it is located 47 miles from SVC VOR on the 350 degree radial. GPS coordinates are 33° 25’ 10.2” N, 108° 08’ 22.2” W, at an elevation of 7378’. It is accessible by land off Forest Road 61, ½ mile south of the intersection with highway 59. The airstrip has a 50’ wide, 3840’ long dirt surface with an orientation of 12 and 30. A second abandoned runway is currently unusable and is less desirable due to terrain. Features There is a windsock pole at this airstrip. The Beaverhead aircraft parking area is adjacent to the camping area and both are across the runway from the entrance road. Camping is allowed, no developed sites. |
Location and Description
The Jewett Mesa Airstrip is in the USFS, Apache National Forest, Quemado Ranger District, adjacent to highway 32, and 10 miles north of Apache Creek, NM. More specifically, it is located 34 miles from SJN VOR on the 126 degree radial. GPS coordinates are 34° 00’ 15.5” N, 108° 40’ 47.2” W, at an elevation of 7681’.
The airstrip has a 45’ wide, 5,200’ long dirt surface with an orientation of 6 and 24, and having a 1.2% upward slope to the northeast.
Features
There is a windsock at this airstrip.
Camping is allowed, no developed sites.
Location & Description
The Me-Own Airstrip is in the Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District, 30 miles northeast of Silver City, NM. More specifically, it is located 35 miles from SVC VOR on the 358 degree radial. GPS coordinates are 33° 12’ 43.3” N, 108° 01’ 32.2” W, at an elevation of 7554’. It is accessible by land from Forest Road 61.
The airstrip has a 50’ wide, 3700’ long turf surface with an orientation of 14 and 32.
Features
There is a windsock at this airstrip.
Camping is allowed, no developed sites.
Location & Description
The Negrito Airstrip is in the Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District approximately 18 miles southeast of Reserve, NM. More specifically, 60 miles from the SJN VOR on the 140 degree radial at 60 nautical miles, GPS coordinates 33◦15.22”N, 108◦32’34.21”W, elevation 8,143. It is located adjacent to Forest Service Road #28 and approximately a mile west of the Negrito Fire Base. There are two runways at the Negrito airstrip. The main runway is orientated north and south (17/35), is approximately 30’ wide, 7,100 feet long, and is a packed dirt / vegetation surface. The crosswind runway is orientated east / west (21 / 03), is approximately 30’ wide, 4,100 feet long and is a packed dirt / vegetation surface.
Features
There are two windsocks on the airfield. One is at the very southern end of runway 17 / 35 and the other is located at the south-east corner of the intersection of the two runways.
There is a working Tetrahedron located on the north side of runway 21 / 03 halfway between the intersection of the two runways and the western end of runway 21/03.
Aircraft parking and tie down areas are located at the midpoint between the runway intersection and the southern end of runway 17 / 35.
Vehicle parking and camping is located on the east side of runway 17/35, separate from but very near the aircraft parking and tie down area. No developed camping sites, but there is a fire circle and a large area of flat clear ground provide excellent picnic and camping opportunities.
A vault toilet was installed at Negrito in July 2019 with financial support from NMPA. An ADA access ramp was completed in October 2020 with NMPA/RAF volunteers.
Location & Description
The Rainy Mesa Airstrip is in the Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District, approximately 13 miles southeast of Reserve, and accessible by land at the intersection of FR 141 and FR 503. GPS coordinates are 33° 33' 08" N, 108° 38' 00" W. Field elevation is 7396’ MSL. The airstrip is 40' wide and 5300' long. The runway orientation is 12 and 30 with a packed dirt / vegetation surface. It was returned to operation in August 2020 after necessary vegetation removal, blading, dragging, and rock removal by volunteers of NMPA and RAF.
Features
A new custom fold-over style windsock pole and windsock were installed for safety.
Location & Description
Sacaton Airstrip is in the Gila National Forest, Glenwood Ranger District. GPS Coordinates are 33° 10' 57" N; 108° 40' 58" W. Runway elevation at the east end is 6,210’ MSL and west end is 6,030' MSL. The runway is currently 60' wide and 4,085' long. Runway orientation is 08 and 26.
Sacaton provides direct access to Rain Creek #189 Trail Head, just 1/4 mile NE of the runway.
Features
A windsock is located near the western end of the runway.
A vault toilet is provided at the adjacent Rain Creek Trailhead.
Operating conditions common to all airstrips:
- The airstrips are identified on air charts as Private, conditional use except for Jewett Mesa.
- Use is permitted after gaining permission from USFS Dispatch (not required for Jewett Mesa)
- Communication at airstrips will use radios set to Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)/Unicom 122.9 unless alternative is instructed by dispatch
- As a normal practice, pilots should check for Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advisories.
- Traffic pattern is left hand unless otherwise noted
- The Pilot in Command assumes responsibility for any decision to utilize airstrips
- Airstrip surface conditions vary and may not always meet minimal conditions
- Use at own risk, no duty of care is assumed
- Stock and wildlife may be present on airstrips
- Veering off runway may result in damage to aircraft and potential injury
- Due to the many rocks located around the airstrips, pilots are advised to shut down their aircraft before pushing into parking spots.
Find out about safety, volunteer work opportunities, and other useful information at New Mexico Pilots Association and Recreation Aviation Foundation.
