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Lower Loon Creek is a short, technical grass backcountry airstrip tucked into a canyon in the Idaho wilderness, some 30 miles southwest of Challis. It sits on the banks of Loon Creek near its confluence with the Middle Fork Salmon River, and is a well-known destination among STOL and backcountry pilots for its dramatic setting and demanding approach.
Lower Loon Creek is a remote, single-runway grass strip set deep in the Idaho backcountry along Loon Creek, close to where it joins the Middle Fork Salmon River. It is a classic wilderness airstrip, prized by backcountry and STOL pilots for its scenery and challenging approach, and is administered today by Idaho Fish and Game.
The airstrip lies in uncontrolled backcountry airspace roughly 30 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho, within the rugged terrain of the Middle Fork Salmon River drainage. It occupies a narrow canyon setting on Loon Creek, with steep terrain and forested slopes close to the approach and departure paths.
The field has a single grass runway, 16/34, 1230 feet long. There is no lighting and no instrument approach.
There is no published radio frequency or ATC/A-G service for the field in available sources, and it has no navaids or instrument approach; operations are conducted visually.
Pilots are cautioned to take particular note of four hazard trees located across the river on the approach path to the airstrip. The runway is short and technical, with reports of surface bumps affecting the takeoff and landing roll, so careful energy and directional control management is essential throughout the approach, landing and departure.
Useful visual references include the mouth of Loon Creek at its confluence with the Middle Fork Salmon River, the bridge crossing Lower Loon Creek just south of the strip, and the nearby cabins and corral. A hot springs and pool lie about a mile south of the airstrip, reached on foot by crossing the creek bridge and following the trail upstream.
The airstrip was formerly owned by J.R. Simplot before passing to Idaho Fish and Game, which administers it today. Despite carrying a restricted ('R') designation for many years, it has remained open to pilots willing to accept its short, technical runway. The runway surface was resurfaced in 2018.
The strip remains in active use by backcountry pilots, with a single set of tie-downs available. A wilderness campground at the mouth of Loon Creek is often occupied by rafters floating the Middle Fork, and camping within the fenced runway area itself is not permitted. There is no fuel available at the field.
