Description

Location Overview
Lower Loon Creek is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho, sitting on a 5-acre parcel at an estimated elevation of 4,200 feet MSL. The airstrip sits on a plateau 50 to 75 feet above the river and is situated within a narrow, winding river canyon. It falls within Lemhi County and is currently operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Camping & Recreation
The airstrip provides access to excellent hiking along both the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and up Loon Creek itself, with a hot springs reachable in about a twenty-minute walk up the Loon Creek trail. Camping is not permitted within the fenced runway area but is allowed nearby at the Big Loon Camp at the mouth of Loon Creek. The area sees a lively mix of visitors — rafter camps are located both a quarter mile south and a half mile north of the airstrip, and the hot springs tend to draw rafters around midday and into the evening, making it a great spot to socialize.

Hotsprings - a rare attraction located about one mile south of the airstrip. From the airstrip walk south toward the cabins and cross the bridge on Lower Loon Creek, and follow the trail for about a mile. The pool is about 3'-4' deep and 10' by 20' wide. The temp is approximately 120 degrees.

Hiking - The main Middle Fork trail goes north about 25 miles to its confluence with Big Creek. A nice hike with views all along the way is north to Hospital Bar, a hike of about 3 miles from the airstrip. Hospital Bar is on the opposite side of the river and not accessible from the trail. Another hike is south up Loon Creek to Benet pack bridge, a distance of about 2.5 miles from the airstrip or about 1.5 miles north of the hot tub (from the airstrip, follow the directions above under "hotsprings"). The views of Loon Creek canyon/gorge are fantastic. The main Middle Fork trail goes south for many miles. A nice hike with good views all along the way is south to the pack bridge crossing the Middle Fork, about 2 - 3 miles from the airstrip. Although the Middle Fork trail continues on, a second trail heading south picks up at the bridge but on the other side of the river, paralleling the Middle Fork trail. Either trial has great views heading south.

Notes & Warnings
Lower Loon is a short airstrip with a challenging approach that should only be attempted by skilled aviators when conditions are right. The runway is not marked, and pilots are advised to land on Runway 16 and depart on Runway 34 when wind conditions allow. There is no winter maintenance, and pilots should be alert for livestock, big game animals, and rodent activity adjacent to both sides of the runway. Commercial operators also use this strip to service river rafters during summer months, typically early in the morning, so extra vigilance for traffic is warranted.

History
Lower Loon Creek was formerly owned by J.R. Simplot — the prominent Idaho businessman and potato magnate — which is why it is also known as the Simplot Airstrip or Simplot Emergency Airfield. Ownership has since transferred to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Despite carrying a restricted "R" designation on FAA charts for many years, the strip has remained open to the public willing to tackle its short, technical runway, and the restricted designation is slated to be removed from future FAA charts. In 2018 the runway was resurfaced, and it continues to serve as an important access point for wilderness recreation in one of the most remote corners of Idaho.