Photo by Dustin Mosher
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Photo by Dustin Mosher
02.12.2026 - Initial Build
02.19.2026 - Added Bacon Strip and Me-Own
02.19.2026 - Added Bacon Strip and Me-Own
A regional guide with ideas for winter camping destinations in California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Overview
When winter settles into the deserts of the American Southwest, backcountry flying takes on a different character. Gone are the crushing high temps and hot thin air. Cooler temperatures bring lower density altitude, smooth rides, and—after extended dry periods—wide open firm surfaces on dry lakebed playas. What can feel marginal or unforgiving in summer becomes a lot more fun and manageable during much of the winter season.
That said, winter in the southwest is not an automatic go. There are new considerations: freezing cold mornings after surprising overnight lows, short days, freeze–thaw cycles, snow fall in higher elevations, and passing storms. These can all make for a dynamic environment. A dry stretch can produce excellent runway surface while a single weather system can shut a playa down entirely. Strips that look perfect from the air may still hide soft ground, which is why pilots who frequent these zones pay attention to recent weather and forecasts, PiReps, and low-level inspection clues—guidance reflected in the community quotes throughout this guide.
Below are a few recommended destinations from the Backcountry Pilot community, organized by region. Keep in mind that many of these strips are higher elevation, which can be a mixed bag for weather and snow coverage depending on the year's snowfall.
Important: Ownership, access, and permission can change. Always verify current status before landing. Most of the below mentioned strips are on public land with the exception of 1 or 2, but even public land use for airplanes can be a sticky topic. Make sure you've done your research before setting out.
California
Southern California (the one that is some distance from the ocean) offers a unique blend of desert landscapes, wide-open dry lakebeds, and remote airstrips. Winter is often the ideal season to explore these backcountry destinations: cooler temperatures and lower density altitude, winds are generally calmer without the big warm-ups, and extended dry periods firm up surfaces that can be soft or unforgiving during shoulder season precip. Each strip carries its own personality, so seeking recent trip reports/PiReps, and community guidance is a good idea.
Chicken Strip (Saline Valley Warm Springs Airfield), CA
Photo: @Grassstrippilot
From the forum thread: "Chicken Strip/Death Valley February 2014 TR"
"The strip is one way, about 1200' long, a little uphill, best to land to the north, early morning is best because of the wind. It is not very rough or difficult. I have seen a 337 there. 210's use it. The valley is very hot in the summer. You can camp at the strip or at the hot springs. I have been there about 20 times…" — @Desert Rat, Chicken Strip
"Stay away from the chicken strip until it cools down...lots of crashes on landing and take off are directly related to the heat...And tie your airplane down SECURELY, regardless of wind forecasts. Lots of surprise winds down there…" — @Hammer, Backcountry Strips Near Las Vegas/ Boulder City?
Strip Details
| Coordinates (DD) | 36.80394, -117.77402 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Red / Advanced |
| Elevation | ~1,360 ft |
| Runway length | ~1,300 ft |
| Nearby town | Tecopa, CA |
| Land use | Public (NPS) |
Airstrip and Area Information
- Chicken Strip Trip Report
- Shortfield Chicken Strip Information
- Wikipedia Chicken Strip
- Wikipedia Saline Valley Hot Springs
- Southern California Videos of Airstrips
- RAF Solar Weather Station
Which Flight Stuck With You?
Which airstrip, lakebed, abandoned highway, or otherwise undocumented LZ left an impression? Post your stories, photos, or approach tips from past flights that have tested your skills, surprised you, or were especially memorable. Start a Thread
Panamint Springs Resort, CA
"Panamint Springs Resort is a great stop when you're headed out to Chicken Strip. Good food, plenty of runway...but like Chicken it is one way in; one way out. Have been there with lots of little planes (Luscombe, TCart, Ercoupe, 150)." — @Fiddler, Backcountry Strips Near Las Vegas/ Boulder City?
Strip Details
| Coordinates (DD) | 36.33832, -117.46676 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Blue / Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~1,998 ft |
| Runway length | ~2,000 ft |
| Nearby town | Panamint Springs, CA |
| Land use | Public |
Airstrip and Area Information
- Shortfield Panamint Springs Resort Strip Information
- Wikipedia Panamint Springs
- Panamint Springs Resort Information
- Southern California Videos of Airstrips
El Mirage Dry Lake, CA
Photo: @jet966
From the forum thread: "El Mirage Lakebed PIREP?"
"El Mirage Dry Lake will be the best place to start IMHO...If you fly there, have enough fuel to fly over the lake bed, and turn around to go back to Brian Ranch or Victorville or Apple Valley if the lake is wet…One of the reasons El Mirage is the best starting point is that on any given weekend there are all sorts of vehicles, go-karts, lakebed race cars, R/C airplane flyers, etc. If they are driving around on the lake then that is a good sign as far as dry/wet." — SoCal Lake bed landing/camping in the fall?
Strip Details
| Coordinates (DD) | 34.62251, -117.54264 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Green-Blue / Beginner / Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~2,838 ft |
| Runway length | Multi-mile lakebed |
| Nearby town | Adelanto, CA |
| Land use | Public (BLM) |
Airstrip and Area Information
Cinder Cone Dry Lake Bed, CA
"Cinder Cone/Fossil Falls is a popular lakebed landing site in the Owens Valley with a short hike down to the rather surreal Fossil Falls volcanic rock formations." — @Fiddler, SoCal/Mojave Desert Airstrips - Videos
Strip Details
| Coordinates (DD) | 35.98261, -117.899769 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Green–Blue / Beginner–Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~3,320 ft |
| Runway length | ~2,100 ft |
| Nearby town | Coso, CA |
| Land use | Public (BLM) |
Airstrip and Area Information
- Wikipedia Fossil Falls
- BLM Camp Ground and Area Information
- About Fossil Falls
- Southern California Videos of Airstrips
Bacon Strip Ranch, CA
"Be cautious of the dry (sometimes not dry) lake beds or hard pans." — @Glidergeek, Airstrips in the Southwest to visit during winter
"The landing strip is a smooth, sandy base dry lake over 2000' with no obstructions. It's an easy strip to land at." — @Charlie, Bacon Strip Ranch Fly-In Camp Out Oct. 13-14
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 34.99633, -116.17848 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner / Green |
| Elevation | ~1,160 ft |
| Runway length | ~2000 ft |
| Nearby town | Amboy, CA |
| Land use | BLM |
Airstrip and Area Information
Evaluating Landing Surfaces
"The best procedure is to learn to lightly 'tickle' a surface with your tires on one pass, then put a little more weight down next pass, and continue that process till you’re comfortable landing there, or decide to go elsewhere. Of course, there are one way strips where this doesn’t work." — @mtv, Landing Surface Roughness Rules of Thumb
"Take baby steps when learning off-airport skills. NEVER be in the mindset of "I'm landing" (which usually becomes I'm landing no matter what aka I can save this landing). ALWAYS be in the mindset of "I'M READY TO GO AROUND, SHOULD I GO AROUND?" in other words hand on the throttle and every second of your approach and landing you are evaluating whether or not you can safely continue." — @Barnstormer, Landing Surface Roughness Rules of Thumb
Nevada: Playas, Basins, and High Desert Routes
Nevada is characterized but unique transitioning terrain, from proper mountains to Sierra foothills to expansive desert. Playas, quiet valleys, and long sightlines make it a great winter zone where airstrips usually offer firm, dry surfaces and little traffic; ideal conditions for exploring.
While winter can make for nicer flying in regard to thermal activity, inbound storms from the west can still produce some serious mechanical turbulence. Exploring the hills of the eastern Sierra in the lee of big winds can mean encountering mountain wave. Study the current and forecast conditions prior to going.
Gold Point, NV
Photo: @Fiddler
From the forum thread: "Backcountry Strips Near Las Vegas/ Boulder City?"
"One I just visited recently is Gold Point, NV..." — @Fiddler, Backcountry Strips Near Las Vegas/ Boulder City?
"There's some great spots in Nevada as well (Gold Point, Fish Lake Hot Springs...to name a few)." — @Fiddler, Headed for the desert
"Gold Point, NV (big ghost town like Bodie)." — @Fiddler, SoCal Desert Flying - Saturday 5/13/17
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 37.359993, -117.382908 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty: Runway 17/35 | Green-Blue / Beginner-Intermediate |
| Difficulty: Runway 08/26 | Blue / Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~5,030 ft MSL |
| Runway length 17/35 | ~4,250 ft |
| Runway length 08/26 | ~3,000 ft |
| Nearby town | Gold Point, NV |
| Land use | Public land (BLM) |
Airstrip and Area Information
Dead Cow Lakebed, NV
While not technically in the southwest, this Northern Nevada spot embodies dry desert flying, and can be a good early winter destination. Depending on weather, it can be dry most of the winter. Take a look at previous and forecasted weather conditions prior to heading out to ensure that the playa is dry.
Dead Cow is partially BLM (east side) and partially private (west side) but is always open to the public per the owners.
"Dead Cow is over 5 miles across… With my brother having never experienced a landing environment such as a dry lakebed, I explained the visual difficulties, lack of depth perception, and lack of visibility due to dust and other factors and how we would deal with them." — @jugheadF15, High Sierra Fly-In 2016, Part 1/3
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 40.14036, -119.91283 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Green-Blue / Beginner-Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~4,000 ft |
| Runway length | Multi-mile playa |
| Nearby town | Gerlach, NV |
| Land use | BLM |
Airstrip and Area Information
How to Determine If a Strip Is Dry
...we live in southern Nevada / northwest AZ. where there no less than 8-10 Dry lake beds. Every one has a group of motorcycle/atv/sand buggy and just plane folks.Watch for dark tracks against the light powder dry lake bed. Dark lines will show that the underlining is wet and muddy. I've had several hundred ‘dry lake bed landings’ — one that almost turned ugly." — @182 STOL driver, Lake Bed: Dry or Wet??
If the moto tracks were not my own I would still be a bit on the cautious side they could have been there for awhile,I have also seen 4 wheeler tracks that made it look ok when I knew it was a no go.I like to walk the area somehow to take the guesswork out of it,or have a solid report that it is all good. — @low rider, Lake Bed: Dry or Wet??
"Drag the field, look for signs of moisture. Make another pass but don't commit to landing — use a light wheel landing to check the condition of the field for moisture and to see how smooth it is. If it looks smooth (dry), it might be. If it looks rough (wet), it IS!" — @soyAnarchisto, How to tell if a strip is "dry"?
New Mexico: The Gila Backcountry Cluster
The Gila (HEE-lah) region, mainly part of a national forest, is surrounded by pine trees, mesas, and wide valleys amongst some serious topography. Winter brings fewer visitors, cold nights, and excellent flying windows between systems.
Negrito Flats, New Mexico
Photo: @88H
From the forum thread: "Negrito Flyin 9/26 thru 9/28"
"For those who aren’t familiar with Negrito (0NM7), it’s a great back country airstrip located in the heart of the Gila National Forest… It is a USFS owned and maintained airstrip, with two runways, 7,500 x 60 ft and 4,000 x 60 ft, turf-gravel surface… surrounded by ponderosa forest..." — @nmflyguy, New Mexico Flyin 10/1 thru 10/3
"These are unlighted airstrips which can be difficult to locate. GPS navigational assistance is highly recommended. Night landings are not recommended and would be extremely hazardous….There is no fuel at any of these strips, so plan accordingly." — @88H, New Mexico Flyin 10/1 thru 10/3
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 33.25423, -108.54284 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty: Runway 17/35 | Blue / Intermediate |
| Difficulty: Runway 21/03 | Blue / Intermediate |
| Elevation | ~8,100 ft |
| Runway length 17/35 | 7,500 ft |
| Runway length 21/03 | 4,000 ft |
| Nearby town | Reserve, NM |
| Land use | USFS (permission required) (800) 538-1644 |
Airstrip and Area Information
- New Mexico Pilot Association Gila Strips
- New Mexico Pilot Association Negrito Strip Information
- National Forest Service Gila Strips
Rainy Mesa, NM
"It is a gorgeous area on the north side of the Gila Wilderness area and there are several backcountry airstrips nearby." — @Finster, New Airstrip in New Mexico
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 33.552336, -108.633242 |
|---|---|
| Elevation | ~7,400 ft |
| Runway length | ~5,300 ft |
| Difficulty | Red / Advanced, no small wheel airplanes |
| Nearby town | Reserve, New Mexico |
| Land use | USFS (permission required) (800) 538-1644 |
Airstrip and Area Information
- New Mexico Pilot Association Rainy Mesa Strip Information
- New Mexico Pilot Association Gila Strips
- National Forest Service Gila Strips
Me-Own, NM
"It is a spectacular setting in the Gila National Forest, not far from the Gila Cliff Dwellings. It's over 7,000' in elevation, but the dirt strip is 3700' long. Really impressive scenery around there. The Plains of St. Augustin are just north of there. That's where the Vary Large Array radio telescope facility is located. The Plains of St. Augustin are a flat, dry lake bed from the Pleistocene era. Lots to see and do in that part of the country." — @Flyhound, Airstrips in the Southwest to visit during winter
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 33.21202, -108.02560 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate / Blue |
| Elevation | 7,554 ft |
| Runway length | 3,700 ft |
| Nearby town | Silver City, NM |
| Land use | USFS (permission required) (800) 538-1644 |
Airstrip and Area Information
- New Mexico Pilot Association Me-Own Strip Information
- RAF Me-Own Strip Information
- New Mexico Pilot Association Gila Strips
- National Forest Service Gila Strips
Murrow Field on the Divide, NM
"Second the vote on Murrow Field. Rol's place borders Santa Fe National Forest. Some pretty formations within pretty easy walking distance. While your there, consider visiting Besley Airstrip. Within walking distance of the Rio Grande Gorge. The field is only about a 15 minute flight from Murrow. If you haven't flown that area before, truly a beautiful place. Also, within 20 minutes of Murrow Field is Navajo Lake. It is a public strip. If you are a fisherman, no better spot than the San Juan River below the dam. Airstrip is about 1.5 miles from the Quality Waters." — @88H, Looking for Remote Airstrip in S East NM
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 36.42713, -107.00083 |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 7,550 ft |
| Runway length | 4,000 ft |
| Difficulty | Blue / Intermediate |
| Nearby town | Gavilan, NM |
| Land use | Permission required — contact Rol Murrow at [email protected] |
Airstrip and Area Information
Tires and Prep for Dirt Strips
"If you're going to play in the mud then run 31 inch Bushwheels. If you fly in the backcountry long enough you're going to get stuck. Pack a tent, sleeping bag, and a few rations and enjoy being with mother nature." — @Dog is my Copilot, How to tell if a strip is "dry"?
"Dry mud is usually lighter in color than wet mud, but not always. It depends on the kind of mud. Cracks in the mud and a light color are good indications that it's dry but it's a good idea to drag it first before committing to a landing. One of the reasons that I switched from 8.50x6.00 tires to 31" Alaskan Bushwheels is to avoid sinking into mud or wet grass." — @andy, How to tell if a strip is "dry"?
Arizona: The Strip, Canyons, and Desert Corridors
Arizona winter flying is defined by contrast. Sheer canyon walls, cactus-lined terrain, and narrow dirt strips meet cooler air and lower density altitude, which mostly means that its winter temps are more "normal" temperatures instead of something more akin to the surface of Venus as in summer. Reduced thermals help, but wind and the terrain's effect on wind can be something to keep an eye on.
Grand Gulch Mine, AZ
"Grand Gulch is one of the "mine" strips about 80 miles northeast of Boulder—I go there quite a lot. North /south strip (north end) is pretty rocky until you go past a big bush about 600' from north end. Narrow is the word. Shorter Northeast/southwest strip is shorter and softer." — @182 STOL driver, Grand Gulch Mine
"Super fun strip to fly into and the mine is really interesting. Hope to go back soon." — @shooka, Grand Gulch Mine
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 36.32118, -113.78630 |
|---|---|
| Elevation (03/21) | ~4,500 ft |
| Runway length (17/35) | 3,000 ft |
| Runway length (03/21) | 2,100 ft |
| Difficulty: Runway 17/35 | Red / Advanced |
| Difficulty: Runway 03/21 | Red / Advanced |
| Nearby town | Saint George, UT |
| Land use | Public land (BLM) |
Airstrip and Area Information
- Arizona Pilot Association Grand Gulch Mine Strip Information
- National Park Service Grand Gulch Mine
- Arizona Pilot Association Backcountry Airstrips
Pearce Ferry / Meadview, AZ
"I have a 1972 Cessna 150L and it's okay during the the cooler months. This trip was an exploratory trip, as we did not land. I suppose if I had a real bush plane I would have. Strip condition was a bit unused and rough. Many tumble weeds growing. The views were spectacular and breathtaking." — @lownslow79, A quick trip to Pearce Ferry, Arizona.
"L-25 called 'Bill's Favorite spot' take your lawn chair and bottle water. Watch out for Rattle Snakes-only 2 parking tie downs (hard to see but they're there) on north west end of runway. Town of Meadview has all the typical stuff-including 2 more airstrips! One next to 'town center'. Volunteer fire station-another a mile or so south along highway. Pierce Ferry is where the river runners used to get out of their boats after doing the canyon. I'd rate L25 as about 2-3 pretty easy." — @182 STOL driver, Grand Gulch Mine
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 36.09322, -114.04672 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Green / Beginner |
| Elevation | ~2,941 ft |
| Runway length | 2,900 ft |
| Nearby town | Meadview, AZ |
| Land use | Public (NPS) |
Airstrip and Area Information
Red Creek, AZ
Photo: @MTNWEST
From the forum thread: "Red Creek, AZ on the Verde - Nov. '13"
"I've been eyeing this airstrip the last couple times I flew down here, but always ran out of time before I could make it here. So today I took advantage of the cool weather and made it in. What a cool location. I hiked down about a 1/4 mile from the airstrip and let the dog play out in the river while I checked out the scenery. I hope to come back here and camp sometime. Picnic tables and campsites at the airstrip and down by the river." — @MTNWEST, Red Creek, AZ on the Verde - Nov. '13
"It is in the bottom of a canyon, which provides some spectacular views, but also means a constant tailwind for landing. You land to the west, T/O to the east, although I've heard of people going the other way on windy days. The canyon generates a lot of turb on windy days, so I never go with more than light wind….We have had up to 10 planes camping here and it is a great place just to sit and listen to the quiet." — @speedbump, Red Creek, AZ
"Great strip with some increasing ATV cross-traffic that could also pose a danger....I've witnessed ATV's crossing the strip without looking for landing traffic. Also a tendency for downdrafts on short final if it's even slightly windy. Maintenance tools are under the bush at the main camp site. Raking a little bit of airstrip is a great way to add exercise to your weekend flying routine." — @protie, Red Creek, AZ
Strip Details
| Coordinates | 34.16001, -111.72655 |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Red / Advanced |
| Elevation | ~2,400 ft |
| Runway length | ~1,200 ft |
| Nearby town | Pine, AZ |
| Land use | Public (high recreation use) |
Airstrip and Area Information
- Arizona Pilot Association Red Creek Strip Information
- Shortfield Red Creek Strip Information
- Arizona Pilot Association Backcountry Airstrips
Dry or Not? Check Local Strip Reports
"Precipitation can be very local… If you get reports it should be from someone who has seen the actual landing spot. As Dirty Harry said, ‘well are ya feeling lucky punk’ — welcome to backcountry flying. If you have any doubts, don’t." — @Coyote How to tell if a strip is "dry"?
"Best way to learn is through the bad experiences of others... the gist of this thread is the most consistently successful way to tell if a strip is 'dry' is a calender + ar very recent PIREP." — @PapernScissors How to tell if a strip is "dry"?
Overview of 14 Airstrips
| Strip Name | Runway | Coordinates (DD) | Elev (ft MSL) | RWY Length (ft) | Surface | FLY IDAHO / FLY UTAH | Hanselman 1–20 Score | Notes / Hazards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Strip (Saline Valley Warm Springs), CA | — | 36.80394, -117.77402 | ~1,360 | ~1,300 | Dirt | Red / Advanced | 16 | 3–4% uphill slope north; tie-downs at north end; 12,000-ft peaks west; severe weather and strong thermals; frequent 25+ kt gusts |
| Panamint Springs Resort, CA | — | 36.33832, -117.46676 | ~1,998 | ~2,000 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 13 | Desert terrain; mostly flat; minor obstacles; occasional wind gusts |
| El Mirage Dry Lake, CA | — | 34.62251, -117.54264 | ~2,838 | Multi-mile | Playa | Green–Blue / Beginner–Intermediate | 10 | Very wide and flat; forgiving; surface soft or muddy after rain; popular for practice |
| Cinder Cone Dry Lake Bed Airstrip, CA | 33/20 | 35.98261, -117.899769 | 2,100 | Multi-mile | Playa | Green–Blue / Beginner–Intermediate | 7 | Smooth hardpan lakebed; very firm when dry; avoid when wet (soft/rutted); occasional vehicle ruts; windsock midfield; stay west of power lines to avoid R2505 |
| Bacon Strip Ranch, CA | — | 34.99633, -116.17848 | ~1,160 | ~2,000 | Hardpan / Playa | Green / Beginner | 5 | Be cautious of dry (sometimes wet) lakebeds or hard pans; no obstructions; easy strip to land at |
| Gold Point, NV | 17/35 | 37.359993, -117.382908 | 5,030 | 4,250 | Dirt | Green–Blue / Beginner–Intermediate | 10 | Two dirt runways; BLM land; high-desert density altitude |
| Gold Point, NV | 08/26 | 37.359993, -117.382908 | 5,030 | 3,000 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 11 | Shorter option; requires more planning; forgiving when dry; soft when wet |
| Dead Cow Lakebed, NV | — | 40.14036, -119.91283 | 4,000 | Multi-mile | Playa | Green–Blue / Beginner–Intermediate | 10 | Large open playa; very forgiving; avoid when wet; watch for vehicle tracks |
| Negrito Flats, NM | — | 33.004228, -108.542836 | 8,100 | 7,500 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 13 | USFS land; high density altitude |
| Negrito Flats, NM | — | 33.004228, -108.542836 | 8,100 | 4,000 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 13 | Shorter option; USFS land; high density altitude |
| Rainy Mesa, NM | 12/30 | 33.552336, -108.633242 | 7,400 | 5,303 | Dirt / Rocky | Red / Advanced | 17 | Surrounded by high terrain; rocks and boulders; visual only; wildlife; winter often unusable |
| Me-Own, NM | — | 33.21202, -108.02560 | 7,554 | 3,700 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 12 | Trees near threshold; high elevation; USFS land; permission required |
| Murrow Field, NM | — | 36.42713, -107.00083 | 7,550 | 4,000 | Dirt | Blue / Intermediate | 11 | Permission required; density altitude considerations |
| Grand Gulch Mine, AZ | 17/35 | 36.32118, -113.78630 | 4,500 | 3,000 | Dirt / Rocky | Red / Advanced | 16 | Narrow canyon strip; rocky surface; shrubs; crosswinds and downdrafts; high commitment |
| Grand Gulch Mine, AZ | 03/21 | 36.32118, -113.78630 | 4,500 | 2,100 | Dirt / Rocky | Red / Advanced | 17 | Very short option; rocky; confined terrain |
| Pearce Ferry / Meadview, AZ | — | 36.09322, -114.04672 | 2,941 | 2,900 | Dirt | Green / Beginner | 6 | Commonly used; straightforward approaches |
| Red Creek, AZ | — | 34.16001, -111.72655 | 2,400 | 1,200 | Dirt | Red / Advanced | 16 | Short strip; slope; obstacles; one-way ops; crosswinds; wildlife; remote |
Strip Recommendation
What destinations do you recommend? Airstrips, lakebeds, or any place you’ve flown—share your experience in a trip report. Start a Thread
Flying in the West: Technique, Terrain and Trip Planning
Fifty Classic Destinations for Pilots: Epic Adventures, Romance and Outdoor Fun in the Western US (Ney Grant, 2014) — A Western U.S. guide to fly-in destinations, including small-town airports, quiet strips, and scenic stops near camping and hiking. Helpful for planning weekend trips or longer cross-country routes. Ney is a long time forum member who happened to write a great book about adventuring in the western US by airplane.
Mountain, Canyon, and Backcountry Flying (Amy L. Hoover and R.K. "Dick" Williams, 2019) —
"It's a great book and it reminds me of how my structural engineering professor would teach us a concept and then give us a story ~ which would make you remember the concept."
— @Lucky, new book on mountain, backcountry and canyon flying
"I found it to be well written, and informative, as well as easy to read and digest."
— @mtv, new book on mountain, backcountry and canyon flying
Backcountry flying techniques for mountains, canyons, and desert strips. Covers wind, terrain, short-field operations, and decision-making, with tips from authors and guest writers drawing on more than 150 years and 100,000 hours of collective experience as professional mountain and backcountry pilots and flight instructors—essential for pilots exploring the rugged destinations featured in this guide.
A Guide To Off-Airport Landings — Mike Vivion, long time BCP contributor and even longer time Master CFI with 30 years of working pilot's experience in Alaska, put together this in-depth guide, which walks the would-be bush pilot through honing their skills for methodically evaluating sites.
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This is a living article in the Knowledge Base. If you have feedback on the accuracy or legitimacy of this entry, or would like to add more information, join the discussion below or email knowledge@backcountrypilot.org to volunteer your input. Suggestions and changes will be incorporated readily.
- Photos by BCP forum members
- Leading photo by Dustin Mosher
- 02.19.2026 - Added Bacon Strip and Me-Own
- 02.05.2026 - Initial Draft
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