Rabbit Ranch Airport — Lucerne Valley, California

Rabbit Ranch Airport (FAA Identifier: CA50) is a private general aviation airstrip located in Lucerne Valley, a small unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California. Situated in the heart of the Mojave Desert's High Desert region, this facility serves private pilots and landowners operating light aircraft in one of Southern California's most distinctive flying environments. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 2,900 feet mean sea level (MSL), a characteristic feature of the elevated desert basin that defines Lucerne Valley's geography.

The airstrip occupies a position roughly 12 miles east of the community center of Lucerne Valley, surrounded by the open scrubland and Joshua tree habitat typical of the western Mojave. The High Desert's reliable weather patterns — characterized by abundant VFR days, low humidity, and minimal precipitation — make this region exceptionally favorable for general aviation operations. Pilots flying out of Rabbit Ranch Airport benefit from density altitude awareness year-round, particularly during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 100°F and effective density altitude can climb well above 4,500 feet, demanding careful weight and performance calculations for underpowered aircraft.

Rabbit Ranch Airport features a single unpaved runway oriented to take advantage of the prevailing wind patterns across the Lucerne Valley basin. The strip is suited to light single-engine and some light twin-engine aircraft capable of operating from unimproved surfaces, including popular models such as Cessna 172s, Piper Cubs, Maule M-series, and similar backcountry-capable platforms. Pilots should contact the facility owner prior to any visit and conduct a thorough pre-landing inspection of the surface condition, as desert airstrips can be subject to erosion, soft sand patches, and debris after seasonal rain events or windstorms.

The surrounding airspace is uncontrolled Class G below 1,200 feet AGL, transitioning to Class E. Pilots operating in the Lucerne Valley corridor should maintain situational awareness of traffic routing to and from the several active airports within a 30-mile radius. The area sees a mix of training flights, agricultural operations, recreational flying, and transient general aviation activity associated with the broader High Desert aviation community.

For pilots requiring services, fuel, maintenance, or controlled-field operations, three regional airports serve the greater High Desert area and are easily accessible from Rabbit Ranch Airport. Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG), located approximately 25 miles to the northeast near the city of Barstow, is a public-use airport with a paved runway exceeding 7,000 feet, an ASOS weather station, and limited fuel services. It serves as a practical divert option and fuel stop for pilots transiting the Mojave region. Apple Valley Airport (APV), situated roughly 20 miles to the southwest near the town of Apple Valley, is a San Bernardino County-managed public airport with two paved runways, Jet-A and 100LL fuel, and a growing general aviation community. APV is a popular destination for weekend flyers and serves as a key hub for the Victor Valley aviation ecosystem. Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) at Victorville, approximately 30 miles to the west-southwest, is the region's largest aviation facility, featuring an 11,500-foot primary runway, commercial cargo operations, aircraft storage and maintenance facilities, and full FBO services. VCV also serves as a base for numerous flight schools and charter operators serving the Inland Empire.

Lucerne Valley itself has a population of approximately 5,800 residents and is known for its mineral mining heritage, ranching traditions, and increasingly, its appeal to off-grid and rural lifestyle enthusiasts attracted by affordable land and open space. The valley floor spans roughly 30 miles east to west and sits between the San Bernardino Mountains to the south and the Ord Mountains to the north. Big Bear Lake, a major mountain resort destination, lies approximately 25 miles south via State Route 18 — a scenic mountain road that connects the desert floor to the San Bernardino National Forest. This proximity gives Rabbit Ranch Airport a unique geographic position between desert and mountain environments, appealing to private pilots who value access to varied terrain.

The coordinates for Rabbit Ranch Airport place it at approximately 34°28'N, 116°48'W, within the greater Lucerne Valley basin. Pilots planning operations should file appropriate flight plans when transiting the region, monitor 122.8 MHz CTAF for traffic advisories, and consult current NOTAMs through the FAA's official notification system. Given its private designation, Rabbit Ranch Airport is not listed in standard IFR approach plates or as a public-use facility, and all access arrangements must be coordinated directly with the property owner in advance of any flight operations.

Rabbit Ranch Airport Contact Information

Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Lucerne Valley, California.

Name Rabbit Ranch Airport
Address California 18, Lucerne Valley CA 92356 Map
Phone
Website
Hours

Map of Rabbit Ranch Airport

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. Rabbit Ranch Airport (CA50) is a privately owned, private-use airstrip located in Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California. It is not designated as a public-use airport and is not open to transient pilots without prior permission from the owner. Pilots wishing to operate at this facility must contact the property owner in advance to obtain permission. Unauthorized landings at private airstrips can result in legal liability and are strongly discouraged. Pilots requiring public-use services in the area should consider Apple Valley Airport (APV) or Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG), both of which offer public access, paved runways, and fuel services.

Rabbit Ranch Airport is best suited for light single-engine aircraft capable of operating from unpaved, unimproved surfaces. Aircraft commonly suited for this type of strip include the Cessna 172, Piper PA-18 Super Cub, Maule M-7, and similar general aviation platforms with appropriate ground clearance and low stall speeds. Pilots must account for the desert elevation of approximately 2,900 feet MSL, which affects density altitude calculations — especially in summer when temperatures frequently exceed 100°F. Heavier twins, turboprops, or aircraft with high minimum runway length requirements are generally not appropriate for this type of private desert airstrip. A thorough pre-flight performance analysis is essential before any operation at this facility.

Rabbit Ranch Airport is located in Lucerne Valley, an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County in California's High Desert region. Its approximate coordinates are 34°28'N, 116°48'W, placing it on the eastern side of the Lucerne Valley basin within the broader Mojave Desert landscape. The airport sits at an elevation of roughly 2,900 feet above mean sea level. Lucerne Valley lies east of the city of Apple Valley and southwest of Barstow, accessible via State Route 247 (Old Woman Springs Road). The surrounding terrain is open desert with views of the San Bernardino Mountains to the south and the Ord Mountains to the north.

As a private-use desert airstrip, Rabbit Ranch Airport does not offer public services such as fuel, aircraft maintenance, passenger facilities, or ground transportation. There is no on-site FBO, weather station, or control tower. Pilots requiring these services should plan to use one of the nearby public airports: Apple Valley Airport (APV) offers 100LL and Jet-A fuel, hangar rentals, and a pilot lounge approximately 20 miles to the southwest; Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) provides basic fuel services about 25 miles to the northeast; and Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, roughly 30 miles west, offers comprehensive FBO services including maintenance, fueling, and aircraft storage.

Rabbit Ranch Airport differs significantly from Apple Valley Airport (APV) and Barstow-Daggett Airport (DAG) in both scope and function. APV and DAG are publicly owned, public-use airports with paved and maintained runways, published instrument approaches, ASOS weather reporting, and fuel availability — making them suitable for a wide range of general aviation, training, and IFR operations. Rabbit Ranch Airport, by contrast, is a small private airstrip with an unpaved surface, no published services, and no public access. It functions as a private facility for the property owner's personal aviation use. For pilots new to the High Desert region, APV is the recommended starting point, offering a welcoming pilot community, full services, and two paved runways in a scenic High Desert setting just outside the city of Apple Valley.

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