🇺🇸 Manzanar Airport

Manzanar Airport (US-1492) is not an active commercial airport and, therefore, no recent traveler reviews or experiences are available. The facility known as Manzanar Airfield (US-1492) is a closed and abandoned airfield located near the Manzanar National Historic Site in California. It ceased operations as an airport in 1956.

What Travelers Love (Historical/Current Use):

• Historical Significance: The airfield dates back to the early 1940s, possibly built for bomber pilot training or as a "fallback field" during WWII, though it had no apparent connection to the nearby Manzanar internment camp.
• Unique Recreational Space: The abandoned runways, marked with large white "X"s indicating closure, have been used since 1970 for the Lone Pine Time Trials, an annual charity automobile racing event. Visitors exploring the area have also enjoyed driving on the runways.
• "Best-kept secret" of Highway 395: Some discover the airfield by chance and find it to be a unique, desolate, and exciting place to explore, offering a sense of solitude.

Common Complaints (Due to Closure):

• Lack of Facilities and Amenities: As an abandoned airfield, there are no terminal facilities, amenities, restrooms, or services for travelers. The tower and windsock were removed in 1957, and all electrical equipment by 1958.
• No Commercial Flights or Security: The airfield does not handle commercial flights, thus there are no security checkpoints, customs, or immigration services.
• Poor Transportation Connections (for air travel): The nearest active airports with limited service are Mammoth Lakes (MMH) and Inyokern (IYK), while larger airports like Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), and Las Vegas (LAS) are 225-250 miles away.
• Overgrown and Deteriorating Runways: While parts are maintained for racing events, sections of the runways can be overgrown with weeds and have dips or holes due to their age and abandonment.

In summary, Manzanar Airport (US-1492) is a non-operational, historic airfield rather than a contemporary travel hub. Travelers seeking an active airport experience will not find it here, but those interested in history, unique exploration, or attending specific auto events may find its abandoned landscape intriguing.