Smiley Creek Airport

Ketchum, US 🇺🇸 Small Airport

ICAO

U87

IATA

Elevation

7160 ft

Region

US-ID

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: KU87

Local Code: U87

Location: 43.912209° N, -114.79622° E

Continent: NA

Type: Small Airport

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

External Links

Live Flights

Nearby Points of Interest

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What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Smiley Creek Airport (U87) in Ketchum, US, is primarily a general aviation backcountry airstrip that garners a highly positive sentiment from travelers, largely pilots flying into the scenic Sawtooth Mountains. Visitors appreciate the airport's unique setting and the convenient amenities offered, often noting it as a perfect fly-in destination. The overall satisfaction appears high among those seeking recreational flying and access to outdoor activities.

What Travelers Love

Scenic Location and Backcountry Access: The airport is situated in a breathtaking setting amidst the Smoky and Sawtooth Mountains, making it a popular gateway for backcountry flying, hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, and other outdoor recreation.
Well-Maintained Turf Runway: The 4,900 x 150 ft turf runway is frequently praised for being well-kept, watered, and mowed by a caretaker, accommodating most general aviation aircraft.
Excellent Amenities: Travelers highlight the availability of showers, internet access, barbecue pits, camping areas (including "under wing camping" and picnic tables), fire rings, and clean restrooms. The adjacent Smiley Creek Lodge offers additional amenities like a restaurant, gift shop, lodging, and basic groceries.
Courtesy Car: A courtesy car is often available, facilitating access to the nearby lodge and surrounding areas.
Friendly Atmosphere: The airport is known for hosting backcountry fly-in events, fostering a social and welcoming environment for pilots.

Common Complaints

High Density Altitude: Due to its elevation of 7,206 feet, the airport experiences extremely high density altitude conditions during summer months, which can significantly degrade aircraft performance, particularly during takeoff and climb. Pilots are strongly advised to be familiar with high-density altitude operations.
No Winter Maintenance: There is no winter maintenance at the airport, limiting its accessibility during colder months.
No Published Instrument Procedures: There are no published instrument procedures at U87, requiring pilots to fly visually.
Limited Fuel and Services: While the lodge offers auto fuel, the airport itself has no aviation fuel (FBO) or airframe/engine repair services available.
Smiley Creek Lodge Service (Recent years): Some recent reviews for the associated Smiley Creek Lodge (not the airport directly) mention a decline in food quality and service under new ownership, with reports of long wait times and issues with orders.

Smiley Creek Airport (U87) stands out as a beloved destination for backcountry pilots due to its stunning location and excellent pilot-centric amenities. While pilots must be mindful of the high-density altitude and seasonal access limitations, the overall experience is highly recommended for those seeking a unique general aviation adventure.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Popular Flight Routes

Routes Not Available: Flight routes are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service. Smiley Creek Airport is classified as a small airport without scheduled service.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Route Data Not Loaded Get fresh route data for Smiley Creek Airport from FlightAware API Last updated: 1 week, 4 days ago This will fetch real-time data including recent departures and scheduled flights

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`14/32`	4900 ft	150 ft	TURF-G	Active

Type	Description	Frequency
UNICOM	-	`122.9 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency

Ground Transportation

Ground Transportation Information

Detailed ground transportation information for Smiley Creek Airport is being prepared. This includes information about taxis, rental cars, and public transportation options.

Taxis

Taxis are typically available outside arrival terminals at most airports.

Rental Cars

Major rental car companies typically have counters at airports with commercial service.

Public Transportation

Many airports offer bus or train connections to nearby city centers.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.