Yosemite Hidden Lake Ranch Airport (27506) — Raymond, California
Nestled in the foothills of Madera County at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, Yosemite Hidden Lake Ranch Airport (FAA identifier 27506) serves as a private general aviation facility located near the small community of Raymond, California. Positioned roughly 30 miles northwest of Yosemite National Park's western entrance and about 45 miles northeast of Fresno, this rural airstrip provides essential air access to one of California's most scenic and remote foothill ranching regions.
Raymond, California, sits along State Route 41 in Madera County, a corridor that funnels millions of visitors annually toward Yosemite Valley. The community of approximately 700 residents serves as a gateway hub for travelers heading into the Sierra Nevada, and Yosemite Hidden Lake Ranch Airport reflects the working ranching heritage of this high-foothill landscape. The airport supports private and recreational pilots who require direct access to properties throughout the Madera County foothills, eliminating the need for lengthy ground transfers from larger regional facilities.
The nearest commercial service airports serving this region include Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), located approximately 50 miles to the southwest in Fresno, which offers scheduled airline service to major hubs including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Denver. For pilots transiting through the Central Valley, Merced Regional Airport (MCE) lies roughly 55 miles to the northwest and provides additional general aviation services. Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK), situated about 110 miles to the northwest in the East Bay, serves as a significant general aviation facility for Bay Area pilots venturing into the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The foothill terrain surrounding Yosemite Hidden Lake Ranch Airport demands careful preflight planning and situational awareness from visiting pilots. Elevation changes are abrupt throughout Madera County, with terrain rising sharply from the San Joaquin Valley floor to elevations exceeding 8,000 feet within 30 miles to the east. Density altitude becomes a critical consideration during summer months, when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F at lower elevations. Pilots operating from this airstrip should calculate performance data carefully and file thorough weather briefings through 1800wxbrief.com or ForeFlight before departing.
The surrounding region offers exceptional scenic flying opportunities. The approach corridors near Raymond provide unobstructed views across the rolling oak woodland and granite outcroppings characteristic of California's western Sierra foothills. To the east, the Sierra Nevada crest becomes visible on clear days, offering a dramatic backdrop that makes this corridor one of the most visually rewarding general aviation routes in Central California. Private ranch operations in this area frequently rely on airstrip access for agricultural coordination, property management, and emergency medical evacuation when road access is limited.
Madera County's general aviation infrastructure supports agricultural aviation, firefighting support operations, and recreational flying. During fire season — increasingly stretching from late spring through November — aerial firefighting assets transit through the Sierra Nevada foothills region regularly, and pilots operating near Yosemite Hidden Lake Ranch Airport should monitor temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) published through the FAA NOTAM system. The proximity to Yosemite National Park's airspace boundaries also requires careful chart review before flight planning in this corridor.
For pilots seeking fuel and maintenance services in the region, Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) facilities. Meadowlark Airport, a private facility in the Central Valley, and other general aviation strips throughout Madera and Fresno Counties provide additional options for pilots familiar with the area. Ground transportation from Raymond toward Yosemite Valley typically involves State Route 41 north through Oakhurst, a drive of approximately 25 miles to the park's South Entrance at Fish Camp.