Little Goose Lock & Dam State

Little Goose State Airport Runway.

Airport Alert

Open year round – gravel runway. No winter snow removal. If it snows airport is closed.

Please check NOTAM’s and contact the State Airports Manager at paul.wolf@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-618-2477 for updated information or questions.

Location

Starbuck

ID

16W

Sponsor

WSDOT

Rules

 Camping
1/4 mile to park
 Picnics
2
 No fire rings
Pending negotiations with owners
 No outhouse
Pending negotiations with owners
 No water
 Facilities
1/4 mile to park for restroom

Available information for airport

Located ten miles northeast of Starbuck, Washington, Little Goose is one of three airports we lease from the Army Corps of Engineers that are located along the Snake River. Originally built to support construction of Little Goose Lock and Dam, it is now a very popular recreational airport. Here you can enjoy fishing, boating, and take educational tours through the nearby dam. This tour is a must for youngsters who like to fly. Just a short walk northeast of the airfield there is a drive-in campground / recreation area. All of the facilities are available and it is a great location to join non-flying friends for a weekend campout. Located deep inside the canyon, below the south rim, it is an excellent place for a fly-in picnic lunch in the great desert atmosphere of Eastern Washington.

The 3400-foot gravel surface is more than adequate for most aircraft. However, please note that the gravel surface can be loose and may not be suitable for low wing lower prop aircraft. Tall weeds are also a problem so overflight is highly recommended to check conditions. The airport is use-at-your-own-risk! Funding, available crews, and equipment are limited and efforts to compact the gravel and apply a layer of CSS1 Asphalt emulsion that helps keep the gravel down has been delayed. Pilots need to be extremely careful on runups and takeoffs due to the potential for prop strikes. The canyon is wide enough to permit easy approaches and departures, though density altitude problems are possible during the summer. The strong winds usually present in the canyon almost always blow along runway heading. When the wind blows across the canyon, a windshear can be expected at rimwall height. We recommend an overflight to determine field conditions and check for obstructions. When walking around the airport, watch for snakes. The airport is open year-round however in winter if snow occurs, it's closed. 

All information subject to use disclaimer.