Hillsboro Regional Airport — Hillsboro, North Dakota
Hillsboro Regional Airport serves Hillsboro in Traill County, in the heart of the Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota. The airport provides general aviation access to one of the most agriculturally productive counties in the nation, where sugar beets, wheat, soybeans, corn, and edible beans are grown on some of the richest farmland in North America. Aerial application services operating out of Hillsboro treat thousands of acres of these crops each season, making aviation a core component of the local agricultural economy.
The airport operates under FAA Great Lakes Region oversight and benefits from North Dakota Aeronautics Commission support programs. Hillsboro sits approximately 35 miles north of Fargo along the I-29 corridor, giving it access to a broad transportation network. The Red River Valley's flat terrain makes for straightforward VFR flying, though the region experiences significant spring flooding that can affect low-lying airport areas. Winter operations demand attention to ice and blowing snow, which are frequent hazards along the valley floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What crops are grown in the Hillsboro, ND area?
The Red River Valley near Hillsboro produces sugar beets, wheat, soybeans, corn, and edible beans on some of North America's most productive farmland.
How far is Hillsboro Regional Airport from Fargo?
Hillsboro is approximately 35 miles north of Fargo. The flight from Hector International Airport (FAR) takes about 20 minutes in a light aircraft.
What services are available at Hillsboro Regional Airport?
Hillsboro Regional is a public-use general aviation airport. Check current Chart Supplement and AirNav for fuel availability and services before arrival.
Does the Red River flood affect airport operations near Hillsboro?
Red River flooding is a recurring concern in Traill County. Airport operators monitor flood stages during spring melt and may implement precautionary measures in high-water years.
Hillsboro Regional Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Traill County Agriculture and Red River Valley Aviation
The Red River Valley's agricultural productivity drives consistent aviation demand across Traill County. Sugar beet processing plants, grain elevators, and farm supply cooperatives generate business aviation traffic that supplements personal and recreational flying. Hillsboro Regional Airport serves both the commercial agricultural sector and the individual farmers and ranchers who rely on general aviation for time-sensitive transportation.
Hillsboro Regional Airport occupies one of the flattest landscapes in North America, the ancient lakebed of glacial Lake Agassiz, whose retreat created the Red River Valley's legendary soil depth. This terrain simplifies VFR navigation significantly, but incoming weather systems from the west can arrive quickly with little terrain to slow them. Spring flooding awareness and winter de-icing procedures are the key operational considerations that distinguish Red River Valley airport management from facilities in drier parts of the state.