FEATURED AIRSTRIP: CHILDS GLACIER, ALASKA

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. This month’s Featured Airstrip is Childs Glacier, Alaska, where you can hear the glacier groan.

We know of only one place where you can fly in to a dirt airstrip and set up camp so close to a glacier that RAF Alaska Liaison Al Clayton says, “You can hear it. It’s always moving.” 



Childs Glacier airstrip, near Alaska’s famous Copper River, is adjacent to the Copper River US Forest Service campground. You can set your camp chair close enough to the glacier’s glistening face and hear it pop and groan. Clayton reports that in July when the sockeye run is “hot,” this glacier calves icebergs into the river, sending huge waves across it, sometimes washing salmon up into the alder bushes.


Thanks to an RAF grant, Clayton assembled volunteers to help the Alaska Trails Crew make the old dirt airstrip usable again. They did five weeks’ worth of grounds work over two summer work seasons, and brushed out and lengthened the sea-level runway to about a thousand feet. “The airfield is open for use for bush aircraft. There remain tall tree hazards. You would want to be a confident, skilled pilot to land here,” he said, adding, “The scenery and topography are stunning. It is truly a world class location.”


The region, within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, is as rich in history as it is in scenery. This airstrip lies just north of the 1910 “Million Dollar Bridge” constructed by the Copper River & Northwestern Railroad to provide the first rail access from the tidewater port of Cordova to interior Alaska. The rail line helped tap the incredibly rich Kennicott copper deposit developed with financial support from New York’s Guggenheim and Morgan families. The last ore train trundled over the hazardous tracks in 1938, leaving the right-of-way and the towns of Kennicott and McCarthy to a few hardy residents to fight off the encroaching alder trees. 


After the 1964 earthquake, the State invested in bridge repairs and the Forest Service built the Copper River campground. But washouts have since destroyed bridges downstream from Million Dollar Bridge. Now the only access is over the treacherous river by riverboat; or this short and challenging airstrip. “It’s exciting to see this spectacular venue available for public use again,” Clayton added.

While you’re in the area, consider a visit upstream to McCarthy. It’s retained its authentic Alaska mining feel, and is small but welcoming, accessible by air into its 3,500-ft gravel airport; or by rough road that follows the old CR&NR grade a couple of hours from Chitina. The road ends at the Kennicott River, where you take the pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the river, a half mile from town. Visitors can take a scheduled shuttle to town, and tours of the Kennicott mine are available seasonally.

Submitted April 30, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray

Posted in Featured Airstrip, News

Recent Posts

RYAN FIELD, 2MT1, REMAINS CLOSED TEMPORARILY

May 28, 2026
Ryan Field, 2MT1, remains CLOSED temporarily. In October, the runway was closed to begin restoring bare areas with new soil and grass. After the Montana winter and spring seasons, the new grass is coming in nicely; however, the field will remain closed until the turf has had adequate time to fully establish. We will keep you updated, but as of June 1, 2026, Ryan Field remains CLOSED to operations. Submitted May 28, 2026

RAF GRANT FOR CAMPING AREA AT ACTON, ME

May 27, 2026
RAF Massachusetts/Rhode Island Liaison Andrew Lyons has been awarded an RAF grant for the addition of a rustic camper cabin at Nadeau’s Airfield in Acton, ME. The 2,400-ft turf field (02ME) is owned by longtime RAF volunteer John Nadeau, who now serves as one of the RAF's Recreational Use Statute Liaisons. Nadeau welcomes visitors to experience backcountry flying not far from the populated eastern seaboard, and envisions the airfield as a gathering spot for RAF enthusiasts in the region. Not far to the west are clusters of New Hampshire’s mountains, and coastal flying opportunities to the east. “The airfield is well located to serve as a hub for exploring much of what New England has to offer,” Lyons said. There is a small pond on the airfield for visitors to try a bit of fishing. The camping area plan includes the installation of a pre-cut kit cabin manufactured locally in New England, with the addition of sleeping platforms and an RAF fire ring. The cabin will serve as a comfortable shelter, and tools and other items will be stored in the unit as well. Pilots are welcome to camp underwing at 02ME. “We anticipate no shortage of volunteers for this project,” Lyons said. A team will pick the cabin kit up from the manufacturer in Vermont to save shipping costs. Lyons expects the cabin will be completed in early summer 2026. Currently, there is a port-a-john, and future plans include the addition of a plumbed restroom and shower at the field. Find more about Nadeau’s Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 27, 2026

SEASONAL WORK COMPLETED AT GILLETTE'S LAKEWOOD LODGE

May 26, 2026
The weekend of May 15-17 saw 39 people arrive at Gillette's Lakewood Lodge, 14WS in Wisconsin, to help clean up winter-damaged broken, downed, and dying trees and ready the property for the summer flying season. They also erected the 18-ft canvas tipi that is available in the summer months for guests to enjoy Owners Bob and Judy Gillette are passionate about aviation, after respective careers in the industry, and welcome visitors to their airfield with camping, canoeing, cycling, swimming, and fishing, all accessible from the 2,137-ft turf runway. Multiple volunteers returned who have been to every work party in the past. RAF Supporters Paul and Diane Iverson drove in from California to help out at the event. There were some new faces as well. First-time volunteer Clay Adams of Rosemount, Minnesota, flew in and camped. He’d cut trees professionally and was a huge help, according to the work party's organizer, Director Jeff Russell. “The volunteers all have the same work ethics as I do, just get it done and have fun while you are doing it,” Adams said, adding, “I joined the RAF last year and heard about Lakewood Lodge. It was a neat place and a lot of fun , and I look forward to helping out again.” Volunteers mostly drove in, with a half a dozen planes bringing more volunteers. Lunch and dinners were graciously provided by Judy  and Gillette's nephew, Max. Russell said, "We rented a wood chipper for two days, and it never stopped running. I'm amazed by how hard people work. I'm hugely grateful.” Find more about Lakewood Lodge in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 26, 2026

PLANNING YOUR SUMMER'S FLYING ADVENTURES?

May 26, 2026
The RAF Airfield Guide should be your first stop. It’s a directory of destinations with recreational and backcountry opportunities. It’s free to use, and ad-free. If you haven’t yet signed up, that’s quick and easy, too! You’ll find information on runways and amenities, safety briefings, photos, and videos on over 400* public airstrips and private airfields. You can create your own multi-stop Route that includes all the Airfield information. Foreflight users can easily convert Airfield information into a Content Pack that is uploaded automatically into ForeFlight, all at the click of a button. We invite you to add your own comments about an airfield once you’ve visited it. So no matter when your flying season gets going, the RAF Airfield Guide is your first go-to source for information and safety briefings, and it’s available online year-round. To get logged into the Airfield Guide, visit this link , and bookmark it for the future! * More listings are added as they become available. Submitted May 26, 2026 Photo Credit: Laura Benton, Trigger Gap, AR By Carmine Mowbray

WORTH THE READ: STEVE JOHNSON GUEST EDITORIAL

May 19, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Steve Johnson, former RAF Director, Supercub.org founder, and Gold Seal CFI/MEI.