CAVANAUGH BAY, ID

Location Overview
Cavanaugh Bay Airport is a public-use airstrip located on the east shore of Priest Lake at the south end of Cavanaugh Bay, near the small community of Coolin. It sits at an elevation of 2,484 feet above mean sea level and covers 25 acres, with a single turf runway (15/33) measuring 3,100 by 120 feet. The surrounding scenery is stunning — pilots descend into a forested valley framing one of northern Idaho's most pristine lakes.

Camping & Recreation
The airstrip offers campsites with tables, stoves, drinking water, toilets, and showers, plus lodging, boating, and swimming nearby. A caretaker is on-site seasonally (late April through mid-September), and three courtesy cars are available for a donation and fuel. Recent improvements have added interior bathrooms, a new deck, a refrigerator and freezer, a covered outdoor sink, and a coffeemaker for campers' use. Bicycles donated by the Idaho Aviation Association are also stored on-site. Fishing, hiking, and exploring Priest Lake round out the recreational options.

Notes & Warnings
No fuel is available at Cavanaugh Bay. Straight-in traffic patterns are strongly discouraged, and pilots should make inbound radio calls on 122.9 at least 5 miles out. Be alert for converging traffic from the southeast out of Sandpoint Airport. Formation arrivals and departures are highly discouraged. Wildlife on the runway — particularly geese and deer — is a real concern, so a low fly-over before landing is recommended. The takeoff on runway 15 is downhill, and the turf surface can be slightly uneven, though it is well-maintained and suitable for most aircraft with standard tires. High density altitude awareness is essential, especially in summer.

History
The airstrip is owned and operated by the State of Idaho through the Idaho Transportation Department's Division of Aeronautics. Over the years it has grown from a basic backcountry strip into one of the most well-appointed fly-in destinations in northern Idaho, thanks to the collaborative efforts of state agencies, aviation groups, and local volunteers. The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has contributed significant grant funding toward improvements, while local homeowners have donated countless volunteer hours maintaining the airfield. The stated goal of community advocates is to make Cavanaugh Bay the "Johnson Creek of Northern Idaho," a benchmark for what a fly-in recreational destination can be.