Garden State Balloonport

Whitehouse, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Closed Airport

ICAO

US-10317

IATA

-

Elevation

185 ft

Region

US-NJ

Local Time

Loading...

Loading...

Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 40.633423Β° N, -74.765739Β° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: 55NJ

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

External Links

Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

It appears there are limited direct traveler reviews specifically for "Garden State Balloonport (US-10317)" under that exact name. However, information regarding hot air balloon experiences in Whitehouse Station, NJ, which is likely the location of the specified balloonport, suggests a generally positive sentiment centered around the unique and serene nature of hot air ballooning. The experience is often highlighted as exclusive and picturesque.

What Travelers Love (based on described experiences in the region):

  • Exclusive Experience: Balloonports in the area, such as the private balloonport used by Tewksbury Balloon Adventures, offer an exclusive setting away from crowded areas.
  • Scenic Views: Travelers can anticipate breathtaking views of New Jersey's landscapes, waterways, wildlife, forests, and farmland, with potential glimpses of the NYC or Philadelphia skylines on clear days.
  • Celebratory Atmosphere: Most flights include a champagne toast, a tradition honoring early balloonists, adding a festive touch to the journey.
  • Knowledgeable Pilots and Crew: Services in the region are often run by experienced teams, like husband-and-wife teams who are pilots and crew chiefs with extensive local knowledge.
Common Complaints
  • No specific common complaints for "Garden State Balloonport (US-10317)" were readily available in recent traveler reviews. The information found primarily details the positive aspects of hot air ballooning in the Whitehouse area.

Overall, while direct reviews for a facility named "Garden State Balloonport (US-10317)" are scarce, the general sentiment surrounding hot air balloon experiences in the Whitehouse, NJ area is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the unique, scenic, and celebratory nature of the flights. Travelers can expect a private and memorable adventure.

Generated False weeks ago
Loading...

Researching traveler experiences online...

Unable to generate sentiment summary. Please try again later.
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

Loading weather data...

Loading weather data...

For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
B1/ 200 ft 200 ft Turf Active

Type Description Frequency

Ident Name Type Frequency

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Closure Date

Circa 2008-2009. The balloonport was depicted on the 2004 New York Sectional Chart but was no longer shown on the 2009 edition. Aerial imagery from 2007 shows the site still intact, while imagery from 2012 shows residential construction well underway, indicating operations ceased in the intervening period.

Reason for Closure

Economic reasons, specifically the sale of the property for real estate development. The land was sold to a developer and the balloonport was closed to make way for a new residential housing community. This is a common fate for small, privately-owned aviation facilities located in areas with increasing suburbanization and rising land values.

Current Status

The site has been completely redeveloped and is now a residential housing community called 'The Mews at Whitehouse Station'. The development pays homage to its past, with street names such as 'Balloonport Way' and 'Rainbow Court', directly referencing the former balloonport and its primary operator.

Historical Significance

Garden State Balloonport was a significant hub for hot air ballooning in Central New Jersey for over 30 years. It was the home base and primary launch site for 'Balloons Over the Rainbow, Inc.', a prominent commercial balloon ride company founded in 1975 by ballooning pioneer Al Nels. The balloonport was not a traditional airport with runways; it was a dedicated open field used exclusively for launching and landing hot air balloons. It played a key role in the local tourism and recreational culture of Hunterdon County, which is well-known for its scenic balloon flights.

Reopening Prospects

None. The land has been permanently and fully converted to a high-density residential use. There are no plans or possibilities for the site to ever be used as a balloonport or any other type of aviation facility again.

Nearby Airports

Trenton Mercer Airport
TTN β€’ KTTN
Ewing Township, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~40 km away
Newark Liberty International Airport
EWR β€’ KEWR
Newark, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~51 km away
Lehigh Valley International Airport
ABE β€’ KABE
Allentown, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~57 km away
Teterboro Airport
TEB β€’ KTEB
Teterboro, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~64 km away
West 30th Street Heliport
JRA β€’ JRA
New York, US
Heliport Scheduled Service
~66 km away
New York Skyports Inc Seaplane Base
NYS β€’ 6N7
New York, US
Seaplane Base Scheduled Service
~68 km away
East 34th Street Heliport
TSS β€’ 6N5
New York, US
Heliport Scheduled Service
~68 km away
LaGuardia Airport
LGA β€’ KLGA
New York, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~77 km away
Newark Liberty International Airport
EWR β€’ KEWR
Newark, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~51 km away
LaGuardia Airport
LGA β€’ KLGA
New York, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~77 km away
John F Kennedy International Airport
JFK β€’ KJFK
New York, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~83 km away
Philadelphia International Airport
PHL β€’ KPHL
Philadelphia, US
Large International Airport Scheduled Service
~94 km away
Morristown Municipal Airport
MMU β€’ KMMU
Morristown, US
Medium Airport
~35 km away
Trenton Mercer Airport
TTN β€’ KTTN
Ewing Township, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~40 km away
Lehigh Valley International Airport
ABE β€’ KABE
Allentown, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~57 km away
Teterboro Airport
TEB β€’ KTEB
Teterboro, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~64 km away
Northeast Philadelphia Airport
PNE β€’ KPNE
Philadelphia, US
Medium Airport
~65 km away
Mc Guire Air Force Base
WRI β€’ KWRI
Wrightstown, US
Medium Airport
~70 km away
Lakehurst Maxfield Field Airport
NEL β€’ KNEL
Lakehurst, US
Medium Airport
~75 km away
Westchester County Airport
HPN β€’ KHPN
White Plains, US
Medium Airport Scheduled Service
~101 km away
Solberg/Hunterdon Airport
KN51
Whitehouse Station, US
Small Airport
~6 km away
Herr Mountain Airport
5NJ2
Stanton, US
Small Airport
~8 km away
Somerset Airport
KSMQ
Somerville, US
Small Airport
~8 km away
Sliker Strip
NJ16
Califon, US
Small Airport
~15 km away
Teeny Weeny Acres Airport
NJ47
Flemington, US
Small Airport
~16 km away
Mock Airport
3NJ5
Quakertown, US
Small Airport
~17 km away
Central Jersey Regional Airport
JVI β€’ K47N
Manville, US
Small Airport
~19 km away
O'Dwyer Airport
60NJ
Flemington, US
Small Airport
~19 km away
Merck Whitehouse Station Heliport
8NJ1
Whitehouse Station, US
Heliport
~1 km away
Fiddlers Elbow Country Club Heliport
5NJ0
Bedminster, US
Heliport
~4 km away
Lamington House Heliport
8NJ6
Bedminster, US
Heliport
~6 km away
Stonebridge Farm Helistop
09NJ
Somerville, US
Heliport
~7 km away
The Farm Heliport
JY06
Bedminster, US
Heliport
~8 km away
Southdown Heliport
11NJ
Pluckemin, US
Heliport
~9 km away
Exxon Research & Engineering Co. Heliport
52NJ
Annandale, US
Heliport
~9 km away
Hamilton Farm Golf Club Heliport
3NJ0
Bedminster, US
Heliport
~11 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.