Yakutat, US 🇺🇸 Closed Airport
US-11076
-
50 ft
US-AK
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 59.404301° N, -139.234028° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: A70 AK70
Traveler sentiment at Yakutat Airport (YAK), also known as Dangerous River Airport, is generally positive, especially concerning the efficiency of its operations as a small, regional hub. While detailed individual reviews are sparse, overall satisfaction appears to be high for essential services and the ease of transit.
Yakutat Airport offers a highly efficient and generally satisfactory experience for travelers, primarily due to its rapid security and immigration processing. However, its remote location and smaller scale mean travelers should anticipate limited amenities and be aware of seasonal operational considerations and restrictions.
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
02/20 |
1800 ft | 10 ft | TURF-P | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
The exact closure date is not officially documented. However, based on the operational history of the associated fishing lodge and analysis of historical satellite imagery, the airport ceased regular operations in the mid-2000s, likely between 2005 and 2008.
The airport's closure was due to economic reasons, specifically the shutdown of the private commercial enterprise it exclusively served. The airstrip was not a public facility but a private-use field for the Dangerous River Lodge, a sport fishing destination. When the lodge ceased operations, the airstrip was no longer needed, maintained, or used, and was subsequently abandoned.
The site is abandoned and the airstrip is completely unusable. Satellite imagery confirms the runway is heavily overgrown with alder, grasses, and other vegetation, making it indistinguishable from the surrounding terrain from ground level. The harsh coastal Alaskan weather has likely caused any remaining lodge structures to fall into severe disrepair or collapse entirely. The area has reverted to wilderness and is part of the vast, remote landscape of the Tongass National Forest, near the boundary of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Access to the site today would require a boat or helicopter.
The airport's significance was purely logistical and commercial, not military or strategic. It was constructed to provide the sole air access to the remote Dangerous River Lodge, which was renowned for its world-class steelhead and salmon fishing. When active, the airport handled general aviation charter flights, primarily bush planes (such as Cessna 206s, de Havilland Beavers, or similar aircraft) flying in from the main airport in Yakutat (PAYA). These flights transported guests, staff, and essential supplies to the otherwise inaccessible lodge. The unpaved, gravel runway was critical to the lodge's viability, making it a key piece of infrastructure for this niche tourism operation in the Alaskan wilderness.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Dangerous River Airport. A reopening would be a massive undertaking, requiring significant private investment to clear and regrade the runway, re-establish navigational aids (if any existed), and, most importantly, rebuild a commercial enterprise like a lodge to justify its existence. Given the high costs and logistical challenges of operating in such a remote part of Alaska, a revival of the airport is considered highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.