Cherry Springs Airport

The primary reason for the airport's closure was land use conversion for environmental and recreational purposes. The land was acquired by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) to be integrated into Cherry Springs State Park. The park was being developed into a premier destination for astronomy, and the light, noise, and safety implications of an active airfield were incompatible with the mission to create and preserve an exceptionally dark, natural sky for stargazing.

The site is now an integral and famous part of Cherry Springs State Park, which is designated as a Gold Level International Dark Sky Park. The former runway is maintained as a large, mowed grass field and serves as the park's 'Overnight Astronomy Observation Field.' This is a dedicated area where serious amateur and professional astronomers can set up their telescopes and equipment for extended observation sessions, separate from the public viewing area. The site is managed strictly to prevent light pollution and preserve the unique astronomical viewing conditions.

Cherry Springs Airport was a small, public-use general aviation airfield with a single 2,600-foot unpaved turf runway. Established in the mid-20th century, its main purpose was to provide recreational access for private pilots. It served tourists, hunters, and cabin owners visiting the vast and remote Susquehannock State Forest in Potter County. The airport was a typical rural airstrip for light aircraft and never handled commercial or significant military operations. Its history is tied to the post-war boom in private aviation and local tourism before the area gained international fame for its dark skies.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Reinstating aviation operations would directly contradict the core mission and international designation of Cherry Springs State Park as a dark sky preserve. The DCNR's management is focused on protecting the site from all forms of pollution, including light and noise, making the re-establishment of an airport fundamentally incompatible with the land's current and future use.