City: Copalis Beach
ID: S16
Description
Where to Land?
Some pilot have expressed confusion as to the proper landing area at Copalis State Airport. The coordinates in the Airport Facility Guide appear to be incorrect and will be revised. Weather and vandalism are also problems for the maintenance of our windsock and signs. To help with this matter we are looking for "Adopt An Airport" volunteers. Please contact us at 360-651-6300 if you are interested.
WSDOT is currently working with Washington State Parks to replace our windsock and signs with more durable structures. In the meantime, please consult the map above for the correct landing area.
The aircraft landing area at Copalis State is north of the Copalis River and southeast of the large Copalis Ocean Rocks. The runway area is approximately 4500' long and 150' wide.
Pilot in Command, Land at Your Own Risk!
Located at the mouth of the Copalis River, Copalis is a unique airport. It is the only known beach airport in the United States, and is the only stretch of ocean beach in Washington where landing is legal. The runway is the 4500 foot stretch of ocean beach from the Copalis River on the south to the rocks a mile north. The clam digging is excellent, and resting or watching the great Pacific Ocean from here is fantastic. You can surf, fish, hunt for glass fishing balls, or find interesting pieces of driftwood. No camping is allowed at the airport.
Since the runway is the beach itself, there are some things to watch out for. First, land only on the damp sand; the dry sand is very, very soft and dangerous. The airport is generally unusable at high tide since the runway is under water. The available parking area will also be under water, so remaining overnight can cause definite problems to an aircraft. Usage is very high during periods of low tides. As many as 75 aircraft have been reported as being parked there at one time. Since the ocean washes the runway twice a day, debris and driftwood are possible. Overflight is essential to inspect for pedestrians, vehicles, animals, and debris. Remember, people on the ground can not hear the airplane with the power off, so be ready to go around. The airport is generally open year round.
Available Information for Copalis State Airport
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WSDOT-Managed Airports Map