Evelyn Airport (AZ26): Private Airstrip in the Hereford-San Pedro Valley Region
Evelyn Airport, identified by the FAA registration code AZ26, is a private airfield near Hereford in Cochise County, situated in the San Pedro River Valley between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. Hereford is a rural community in the heart of the Sky Island region, where the San Pedro River flows northward through cottonwood-willow riparian corridors recognized among the most ecologically significant habitats in the American Southwest. Private airstrips like Evelyn Airport in this setting serve the needs of rural property owners who value direct air access to their land in a county where terrain and distance can make ground travel time-consuming.
The San Pedro Valley near Hereford sits at approximately 4,200–4,500 feet elevation, offering relatively flat valley terrain for airstrip operations though the surrounding Mule, Huachuca, and Whetstone mountain ranges create terrain-awareness requirements for departing pilots. Evelyn Airport operates within the FAA Western-Pacific Region and is listed in the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group's private facility database. Pilots authorized to use AZ26 should be familiar with the Fort Huachuca military operations airspace to the west, which can affect routing to and from private airstrips in the Sierra Vista–Hereford area.
Is Evelyn Airport (AZ26) a public-use facility?
No. Evelyn Airport is a private-use facility requiring prior permission from the property owner for landing. Pilots must contact the owner in advance and confirm any conditions for use before planning a flight to AZ26.
What is the significance of the Hereford area for birds and nature?
Hereford sits along the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, a BLM-protected corridor recognized as one of the top birding destinations in North America. Over 400 bird species have been documented in the San Pedro Valley, including numerous neotropical migrants. The area draws birdwatchers and naturalists from around the world, and private landowners in the region are often deeply invested in the conservation values of the landscape.
What are the airspace considerations near Hereford, AZ?
The Hereford area is adjacent to Fort Huachuca's military airspace (R-2303 and associated training areas) to the west and northwest. Pilots must review the current status of Fort Huachuca restricted areas and military training routes before flying in this region.
Evelyn Airport - Az26 Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Hereford, Arizona.
| Name | Evelyn Airport - Az26 |
| Address | 10222 East Sylvester Drive, Hereford AZ 85615 Map |
| Phone | (520) 366-5509 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Evelyn Airport - Az26
Private Aviation in the San Pedro Valley near Hereford
The Hereford area's combination of natural beauty, rural character, and proximity to both Bisbee and Sierra Vista makes it a desirable location for rural property owners, many of whom rely on private aviation for efficient connectivity. Flying from Hereford, pilots can reach Tucson in under 30 minutes and Phoenix in about an hour by air, compressing what would be 1.5-2.5-hour ground drives. The San Pedro Valley's straight, flat floor between mountain ranges provides natural visual navigation cues that experienced pilots have used for generations.
The broader Cochise County aviation network is managed within the FAA Western-Pacific Region, with the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group coordinating safety and planning for both public and private aviation assets. For those needing public-use facilities in the Hereford area, Sierra Vista Municipal Airport is approximately 15 miles north and provides more comprehensive services including fuel, maintenance, and charter access. Pilots visiting the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona for birding, hiking, or nature study can use the combination of public and (with permission) private airstrips to access the remarkable diversity of habitats spanning from the San Pedro Valley floor to the 9,000-foot peaks of the Huachuca Mountains.