Airports in Crook County, Oregon
Crook County sits at the geographic center of Oregon, a high-desert plateau region defined by the Ochoco Mountains to the north and the Crooked River canyon to the south. The county seat of Prineville — home to roughly 28,000 residents — is the economic and civic hub of a region that spans more than 2,900 square miles of juniper rangeland, timber forests, and volcanic rimrock. Aviation access plays a meaningful role in connecting this largely rural county to the broader Pacific Northwest, and the county is served by several general aviation facilities along with convenient proximity to a commercial service airport.
Prineville Airport (S39)
The primary public-use airport in Crook County is Prineville Airport, located at 4585 Airport Way, approximately 3.5 miles southwest of downtown Prineville. Assigned the FAA identifier S39, Prineville Airport is a publicly owned general aviation facility operated by the City of Prineville. The airport sits at an elevation of 3,250 feet above sea level — a relevant factor for pilots calculating density altitude during hot Central Oregon summers, when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Prineville Airport offers two paved asphalt runways. Runway 11/29 is the primary strip, measuring 5,405 feet in length by 75 feet wide — sufficient for most light and medium general aviation aircraft, including larger turboprop singles and twins. Runway 15/33 provides a crosswind option at 4,053 feet by 40 feet wide. The airport includes a self-serve fuel station, a terminal/office building, and hangar tie-down facilities. It does not currently offer scheduled commercial airline service.
Prineville Airport has a notable history rooted in the Second World War. The facility was founded in 1943 as a Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program site, operated by Portland Flying Service under owner Arlo Livingston, which held the largest pilot training contract in the Portland area at the time. That wartime training legacy helped establish a local aviation culture that persists today through active based aircraft, flight instruction, agricultural operations, and charter services that serve the ranching and timber industries of the surrounding high desert.
Other Airports in Crook County
Beyond Prineville Airport, Crook County contains several smaller private and limited-use airstrips that support ranching operations and recreational flying. Tailwheel Airport, located at 4300 Southeast Paulina Highway in Prineville, caters to conventional-gear (tailwheel) aircraft and is popular with backcountry flying enthusiasts who use Crook County as a staging point for flights into the remote Ochoco National Forest and the John Day watershed. River Run Ranch Airport, situated on Oneil Highway near Powell Butte in the western part of the county, serves as a private agricultural airstrip for that ranching property. These facilities underscore the working-aviation character of rural Central Oregon, where aircraft are often practical tools rather than leisure accessories.
Commercial Air Service: Redmond Airport (RDM)
Travelers from Crook County seeking commercial airline connections rely primarily on Roberts Field – Redmond Airport (RDM), located approximately 20 to 24 miles west of Prineville via US-26 and US-97 — a drive of roughly 25 to 30 minutes under normal conditions. RDM is a certificated commercial service airport in Deschutes County serving the Bend–Redmond metro area and the broader Central Oregon region. The airport offers nonstop routes to major hubs including Portland International (PDX), Seattle–Tacoma International (SEA), San Francisco International (SFO), Los Angeles International (LAX), Denver International (DEN), Salt Lake City International (SLC), and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), with service from Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and seasonal carriers. For Prineville and Crook County residents, RDM provides practical access to the national air travel network without requiring the 2.5-hour drive to Portland.
A secondary commercial option is Bend Municipal Airport (formerly Bend Airport), located approximately 36 miles southwest of Prineville. Bend Municipal is primarily a general aviation reliever airport and does not offer scheduled commercial passenger service; however, it serves corporate and charter operations, making it relevant for business travelers in the region.
Aviation and Crook County's Economy
Crook County's economy historically centered on timber, livestock ranching, and agriculture — all industries with meaningful ties to general aviation. Aerial application (crop dusting), wildfire air attack support, aerial survey, and ranching supply flights all utilize airports in and around the county. The Ochoco National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management lands surrounding Prineville also generate demand for aerial fire suppression and resource management flights. As the county's population has grown — it has recorded among the fastest growth rates of any Oregon county in recent years — aviation infrastructure has become increasingly relevant to economic development, particularly for technology employers like Facebook (Meta), Apple, and other data center operators that have established major facilities in the Prineville area, sometimes utilizing general aviation for executive and technical personnel transport.
International Airports
An international airport is a vital component of any major metropolitan area. It connects domestic and international travelers, providing them with a means to connect to the rest of the world.
An international airport is a large airport that is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights. It also has a significant economic impact on the local community.
These major Oregon Airports generate thousands of jobs and contribute billions of dollars to the local economy through tourism and other related industries.
A large international airport also offers a variety of amenities for travelers. These can include shopping centers, dining options, lounges, and other services such as currency exchange and luggage storage.
Private Airports
Private airports, also known as general aviation airports, are airports that are not open to commercial airlines and are used primarily by private aircraft.
One of the main benefits of a private airport is the exclusivity and privacy it offers.
These airports are often used by high-profile individuals, such as celebrities and business executives, who value their privacy and want to avoid the crowds and security lines of commercial airports.
Private airports also offer more flexibility and convenience for aircraft owners. They can also be used for training pilots and hosting aviation events.
There are 0 Private Airport in Crook County, Oregon.
Regional Airports
Regional airports are smaller airports that serve a rural geographic region, such as a smaller city or county with a population of less than 100,000.
Small airports mostly offer flights within the same country, but some may offer flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of regional airports is their convenience. They also tend to have shorter security lines and fewer crowds, making the overall travel experience more enjoyable.
There are 0 Regional Airport in Crook County, Oregon.
Municipal Airports
Municipal airports which are also called "public airports" are owned and run by local governments like cities and counties.
Most of the time, they are smaller airports that serve a certain area and have mostly domestic flights, but some may also have flights to nearby countries.
One of the main advantages of municipal airports is their accessibility. They are often located in or near major cities, making them a convenient option for travelers.
Municipal airports provide a vital link for businesses in the region, allowing them to easily connect to other parts of the country.
There are 0 Municipal Airport in Crook County, Oregon.
Local Airports
There are 3 Local Airport in Crook County, Oregon.