McCarley Field Airport: General Aviation on Idaho's Eastern Snake River Plain
McCarley Field Airport serves the Blackfoot, Idaho area in Bingham County on the eastern Snake River Plain. Blackfoot is known as the Potato Capital of the World, and the airport serves the agricultural aviation needs of an area where potato, wheat, and barley farming dominate the landscape. Under FAA Northwest Mountain Region oversight, McCarley Field supports aerial application, crop monitoring, and private general aviation operations across the productive farmland surrounding the city.
Blackfoot sits between Pocatello approximately 25 miles south and Idaho Falls approximately 25 miles north along the I-15 corridor, with both cities offering larger airport facilities. Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH) and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) serve the regional commercial aviation needs, while general aviation facilities like McCarley Field provide more convenient access for local operators. The Idaho Transportation Department Aeronautics Division supports eastern Idaho's network of general aviation airports as essential infrastructure for the region's agricultural economy.
What is the primary aviation role of the Blackfoot area?
Agricultural aviation is central to Blackfoot's airport activity. Aerial applicators service potato fields, grain crops, and other agriculture throughout Bingham County, taking advantage of the Snake River Plain's flat terrain for efficient operations.
What commercial airports serve the Blackfoot area?
Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH) 25 miles south and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) 25 miles north are the primary commercial service airports for travelers from Blackfoot and Bingham County.
What is Blackfoot known for beyond agriculture?
Blackfoot is home to the Idaho Potato Museum, celebrating the region's agricultural heritage. The city also serves as a gateway to the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and the Snake River country of eastern Idaho.
What terrain surrounds the Blackfoot area?
The Snake River Plain is predominantly flat at approximately 4,500 feet MSL elevation. The Snake River Range and Caribou Range rise to the east, while the Pioneer Mountains are visible to the northwest, creating a dramatic mountain backdrop for plain-based flying operations.
McCarley Field Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Blackfoot, Idaho.
| Name | McCarley Field Airport |
| Address | 1311 East Airport Road, Blackfoot ID 83221 Map |
| Phone | (208) 785-2727 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of McCarley Field Airport
Blackfoot, Idaho: The Potato Capital and Eastern Snake River Plain Hub
Blackfoot, Idaho, county seat of Bingham County, anchors the agricultural heartland of the eastern Snake River Plain. The city's economy revolves around potato processing, farming services, and agribusiness, with the region producing a significant share of the United States' potato crop annually. Commercial travelers connect to air service through Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH) or Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), both approximately 25 miles away along the I-15 corridor.
Visitors to Blackfoot will find the Idaho Potato Museum, the historic Fort Hall Indian Reservation to the north, and access to the Snake River's fishing and recreation opportunities. The nearby American Falls Reservoir and Blackfoot Reservoir provide fishing and waterfowl hunting. The broader eastern Idaho region including Idaho Falls and Pocatello offers cultural attractions, the Idaho National Laboratory scientific complex, and gateway access to Yellowstone National Park less than two hours east via US-20.