Yucca Valley Airport (L22) — Yucca Valley, California

Yucca Valley Airport, designated by the FAA with the identifier L22, is a public-use general aviation airport located in the high desert community of Yucca Valley, California, at an elevation of approximately 3,224 feet above mean sea level. Situated in San Bernardino County, the airport serves the Morongo Valley area and provides essential air access to one of California's most distinctive desert landscapes — the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, which draws over 3 million visitors annually.

The airport occupies a compact but functional footprint along the Twentynine Palms Highway corridor, offering a single asphalt runway designated 8/26, measuring approximately 3,850 feet in length and 60 feet wide. This runway length accommodates a wide range of single-engine and light twin-engine piston aircraft, making L22 a practical stop for private pilots, aerial tour operators, and backcountry flyers exploring the Mojave Desert region. The field elevation and dry desert air result in higher density altitude conditions, particularly during summer months, which pilots must account for during takeoff and landing performance calculations.

Yucca Valley Airport operates without an air traffic control tower, classifying it as an uncontrolled airport where pilots self-announce their positions and intentions on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). The airport is open to the public and does not require prior permission for landing under normal circumstances. Fuel services, specifically 100LL aviation gasoline (Avgas), have historically been available on-field, though visiting pilots are advised to confirm fuel availability in advance through current NOTAMs and direct contact with the airport manager through San Bernardino County.

The airport is owned and operated by San Bernardino County, which manages a network of general aviation airports across one of the largest counties in the contiguous United States. County oversight ensures that the facility meets FAA safety standards and that the runway and taxiway surfaces are maintained to support safe operations in the demanding desert environment, where extreme heat, high UV exposure, and occasional flash flooding create maintenance challenges unique to this geographic setting.

Geographically, Yucca Valley Airport is positioned approximately 130 miles east of Los Angeles and roughly 25 miles north of Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which serves as the nearest commercial service airport. For general aviation pilots departing from the Los Angeles Basin or the Inland Empire, L22 offers a convenient desert destination that avoids the congestion of Class B and Class C airspace. The flight path from Los Angeles-area airports typically traverses the San Bernardino Mountains or the Banning Pass, offering dramatic aerial views of the San Jacinto Peak and the Coachella Valley before arriving in the open high desert.

The surrounding airspace is relatively uncomplicated for VFR operations, though pilots should be aware of the Twentynine Palms Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command airspace to the northeast, which includes restricted areas associated with Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center operations. Coordination with Edwards AFB approach control and awareness of active MOAs in the region is advisable for instrument flight rules operations and cross-country routing through the area.

Yucca Valley itself is a growing desert community of approximately 22,000 residents, known for its proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, the Integratron sound bath venue in Landers, and a burgeoning arts and wellness tourism scene that has accelerated since the late 2010s. The airport supports local business aviation, agricultural inspection flights, law enforcement operations, search and rescue missions in the rugged Mojave terrain, and medevac staging when ground transport times to regional trauma centers are prohibitive. The nearest major trauma facilities are Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and Loma Linda University Medical Center, both requiring extended ground travel through mountain passes or desert highways.

For pilots planning a visit to Yucca Valley Airport (L22), flight planning resources including current METAR and TAF data, NOTAMs, and airport information are available through the FAA's official aeronautical data systems and ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, or similar EFB applications. The airport's coordinates place it at approximately 34°07′N, 116°23′W, and it appears on VFR sectional charts for the Los Angeles and Las Vegas sectionals. Pilots are encouraged to file a flight plan when operating in this remote desert environment as a safety precaution, given the sparse population and limited emergency services outside the town limits.

Yucca Valley Airport - L22 Contact Information

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

Name Yucca Valley Airport - L22
Address Lindbergh Lane, Yucca Valley CA 92284 Map
Phone (760) 401-0816
Website
Hours

Map of Yucca Valley Airport - L22

Airports in near by County


Airports near Yucca Valley

Frequently Asked Questions — Yucca Valley Airport (L22)

Yucca Valley Airport (L22) has a single asphalt runway designated 8/26 that is approximately 3,850 feet long and 60 feet wide. This length supports most single-engine piston aircraft such as the Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee, and Cirrus SR22, as well as light twin-engine aircraft. However, because the airport sits at an elevation of roughly 3,224 feet MSL and experiences high summer temperatures, density altitude can significantly reduce aircraft performance. Pilots should carefully calculate takeoff and landing distances using density altitude-corrected performance charts before operating at L22, particularly during summer afternoons when temperatures can exceed 105°F.

Yucca Valley Airport (L22) has historically offered 100LL Avgas self-serve fueling. Because services at smaller county-operated airports can change, visiting pilots should verify current fuel availability through NOTAMs, the California Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division, or by contacting San Bernardino County's airports division before departure. The airport does not have a staffed FBO with full line services, so pilots should not expect Jet-A, on-demand maintenance, or catering. The town of Yucca Valley is within a short drive of the field and offers ground transportation, lodging, dining, and proximity to Joshua Tree National Park.

Pilots operating near Yucca Valley Airport (L22) should be aware of several airspace considerations. To the northeast lies the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, which has associated restricted areas (R-2507 complex) that are frequently active. MOAs associated with military training operations in the Mojave Desert are also present in the region. Pilots should review current sectional charts, check NOTAMs, and contact the appropriate ATC facilities — Edwards AFB Approach or Joshua Control — for airspace advisories before flight. VFR flight following is strongly recommended for cross-country operations in this high-desert environment.

The nearest commercial service airport to Yucca Valley Airport (L22) is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), located approximately 25 miles to the south-southwest. PSP offers scheduled airline service via American, United, Alaska, and Southwest Airlines, with nonstop routes to major hubs including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Denver, and Seattle. For travelers arriving commercially and then connecting via general aviation, PSP provides FBO services and aircraft rental. Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are also within range for longer cross-country legs, at approximately 75 and 100 miles west respectively.

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