Climbing Areas Close to Airports

I just started working on getting my pilots license and once I get my license I will have access to a small plane for relatively cheap.

So my big question is, what are some climbing areas that have a small airport within a few miles?

I am in Minnesota, so I was thinking Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, but open for ideas in other areas of the US as well. I'm looking for mulipitch as a priority but open to sport climbing as well. Bouldering is out because I don't think a pad will fit in the plane, and I'm not really into that.

Cheers

Red rocks comes to mind

The Tetons have an airport right at the base of em

CTdave wrote:The Tetons have an airport right at the base of em

Now thats what I'm talking about!

Hulett, WY- Devil's Tower- Multi
Custer, SD- Rushmore/Needles- Multi/Sport

Close but ground transport may be tough. Rapid City, SD or Gillette, WY would have rental cars but a bit further.

Sheridan, WY- Sheridan Area climbs- Mostly sport
Cody, WY- Cody area climbs- Multi/Sport
Worland, WY- Tensleep- Sport
Lander, WY- Sinks- Sport (ground transport is probably an issue here)
Cheyenne, WY- Vedavoo

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Thanks Jason,

I had thought of DT. Vedavoo would be awesome. haven't been there yet.

Way out west.... E95 close to Cochise. KSDL close to the McDowell's and Pinnacle Peak. KFLY in Colorado Springs. KBDU is in Boulder CO. KCNY in Moab. I live in the west and fly lots of stuff within 10-40 miles most of the airports have courtesy cars you can borrow for the day.. Good luck with your license!!!

Well it sounds like there's plenty out there.

So a secondary question since it sounds like people do this, is how do logistics work? courtesy car would be awesome. hitch a ride? hike if its close enough. Pack a couple bikes maybe.

Red Rock is about 20 min from the Vegas Airport and is a multi-pitch heaven. Rent a car?

What type aircraft? Stay away from Jackson Hole and the wind rivers if you're in a single engine prop.

JeffL wrote:What type aircraft? Stay away from Jackson Hole and the wind rivers if you're in a single engine prop.

Yeah, be very careful about where you fly. Small planes and big mountains can be dangerous.

Moab, SLC, Stanley, ID just about any place with climbing has an airport that you can land a small plane.

This is a cool topic; I like the idea of being able to fly to weekend climbing destinations.

I know that the small Fayetteville airport is about five minutes from the New River Gorge.

FWIW (I have a PPL), while flying all over the country to climb sounds awesome, I've found that it's generally easier (and WAY cheaper) to just book a commercial flight and rent a car. Of course, if you have an unlimited budget and a Lancair IV, flying all over to climb sounds awesome.

JeffL wrote:What type aircraft? Stay away from Jackson Hole and the wind rivers if you're in a single engine prop.

Yup single engine prop. Cirrus 20 and a 22.

Don't worry, I'm not flying there tomorrow or anything I have a whopping 1.4 hours.

I just wanted some ideas to dream about, and y'all have pulled through. Thanks!

Ryan Nevius wrote:FWIW (I have a PPL), while flying all over the country to climb sounds awesome, I've found that it's generally easier (and WAY cheaper) to just book a commercial flight and rent a car. Of course, if you have an unlimited budget and a Lancair IV, flying all over to climb sounds awesome.

Depending on where I go i think it will usually be in between the price of a commercial ticket and driving. and depending on where I can land, it will be much faster than either options making a weekend trip possible, where i would otherwise have to take vacation time, which I have limited of.

Rich Liang wrote:Bishop, CA ~35 Mins from Mammoth Airport

You may as well just land at the Bishop airport at that rate.

Ibex (UT) is the ultimate plane access crag. Land on the giant dry lakebed / salt flat next to the crag. Don't go if it has rained recently.

Eldorado Canyon is a short drive from Rocky Mountain Metro. Not really bikable or hitch able, so you'd need a rental car

Kind of an old thread but, but lots of good tips. The NC/ Fayetteville New River Gorge looks promising for an east coaster - anyone know of any other convenient spots over here? Based out of Philly.

Beardsley Boulders, Phoenix, AZ.