Keg Knoll Airstrip in Utah Reopens Following a Three-Year Advocacy Effort
Backcountry pilots across the American West are rejoicing over a significant victory. The Keg Knoll Airstrip located in central Utah is now officially open after a prolonged closure. This achievement is the result of a relentless three-year campaign led by the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and its partners.
Established in 1963, Keg Knoll served for decades as a bustling backcountry landing spot, nestled above the breathtaking San Rafael Desert. However, in 2019, the airstrip was effectively shut down when the Trump administration’s Dingell Act included it within the newly designated Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Area. RAF Utah Liaison, Wendy Lessig, took the lead in the reopening effort, collaborating closely with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to assess if the airstrip could be reinstated under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Following a thorough environmental assessment, the BLM issued a final decision approving the reopening of Keg Knoll, albeit with conditions aimed at preserving the wilderness environment. Pilots should be aware that the southernmost 700 feet of the original runway remains closed and will be marked with rock X’s, leaving 2,000 feet of usable runway. A volunteer work party is scheduled for fall 2026 to install a windsock and carry out further improvements using only hand tools, as motorized equipment is prohibited in the wilderness area. This reopening signifies the fifth success of RAF’s ambitious “Expanding the Map” initiative, which aims to open over 15 backcountry airstrips nationwide in 2026.
Source: General Aviation News – Utah’s Keg Knoll Airstrip Now Open for Backcountry Pilots