🇺🇸 Smugglers Cove Airport

Smugglers Cove Airport (US-5852) on Santa Cruz Island, US

Limited public information is available specifically for "Smugglers Cove Airport (US-5852)". Based on available records, it appears that US-5852 is likely an informal or historical identifier for a private landing strip located at or near Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island, California. It is not listed as a currently active or officially registered public airport with scheduled commercial service.

• Type of facility: This appears to be a private landing strip or airfield. Historical records mention "SMUGGLERS (EAST END)" as one of the landing fields on Santa Cruz Island, suggesting a past or informal use for aviation at Smugglers Cove.
• Location: The facility is associated with Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island, which is part of Channel Islands National Park, located in Santa Barbara County, California. Smugglers Cove itself is a significant geographical feature known for its historical use by smugglers and as a popular hiking destination.
• Runway Information & Uses: Specific runway details for a facility directly named "Smugglers Cove Airport (US-5852)" are not readily available in official aviation databases. Other private airstrips exist on Santa Cruz Island, such as Christy Airstrip (FAA LID: CA97) and Santa Cruz Ranch Airport (FAA LID: 44CA), which are owned by The Nature Conservancy and are currently active. Historically, private island owners, their guests, and businesses used multiple airstrips on the island for transportation.
• Historical Significance: Smugglers Cove itself has a rich history, deriving its name from its use by contrabandistas during the Spanish and Mexican years (1769-1848) for evading customs duties and hiding goods. While a landing field at Smugglers Cove has been mentioned in historical accident records, there is no indication of its current status or official designation as an active airport under the identifier US-5852.