Parowan Airport — Parowan, Utah
Parowan Airport serves the historic community of Parowan, the oldest permanent settlement in Utah established south of Salt Lake City, located in Iron County approximately 18 miles northeast of Cedar City. Situated in the Parowan Valley at the base of the Markagunt Plateau, the airport provides general aviation access to a community that combines pioneer heritage with proximity to Brian Head ski resort, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and the scenic byways of southern Utah's high country. The airport elevation of approximately 5,964 feet MSL puts it firmly in Utah's high-altitude general aviation category.
Parowan has a population of just over 3,000 but its aviation significance exceeds its size due to its proximity to Brian Head, Utah's southernmost major ski resort, and its position along the corridor between Cedar City and the Paiute ATV Trail system. The Parowan Gap, a water gap cut through the Red Hills northwest of town, features ancient petroglyphs and serves as a weather indicator for local pilots familiar with its wind patterns. Winter operations at Parowan require careful icing preparation given the airport's position on the plateau edge where cold Pacific systems can deposit significant snowfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Parowan Airport from Brian Head Ski Resort?
Brian Head Resort is approximately 25 miles northeast of Parowan on Highway 143, making Parowan Airport a practical arrival point for ski visitors arriving by private aircraft who prefer the Parowan Valley approach over Cedar City's busier airport.
What is the historical significance of Parowan?
Parowan was founded in 1851 as the first permanent settlement in southern Utah, established as the Iron Mission headquarters to develop the region's iron ore deposits. The settlement predates Cedar City by several months and is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the region.
Are there instrument approaches published for Parowan Airport?
Pilots should verify current approach procedure availability through the FAA Chart Supplement. Non-towered general aviation airports at Parowan's altitude may have limited instrument procedure options, requiring VFR or GPS-based approaches.
What makes the Parowan Valley suitable for small aircraft operations?
The Parowan Valley offers a relatively flat floor between the steep Markagunt Plateau escarpment to the east and the Hurricane Cliffs system to the west, providing clear approach and departure corridors that smaller aircraft can navigate without complex terrain avoidance procedures.
Parowan Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Parowan, Utah.
| Name | Parowan Airport |
| Address | 180 850 West, Parowan UT 84761 Map |
| Phone | (435) 477-8911 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Parowan Airport
Airports near Parowan
Parowan as a Gateway to Southern Utah's High Country
Parowan Airport's position in the Parowan Valley places it at the base of one of southern Utah's most scenic high-country corridors. Highway 143 from Parowan climbs steeply to Brian Head at 9,600 feet and then descends through Cedar Breaks National Monument toward Panguitch, offering some of the most dramatic scenery accessible from a paved highway in the American Southwest. Pilots who land at Parowan and make this drive encounter an entirely different landscape from the desert valley below.
Iron County's aviation network, with Cedar City Regional Airport as the hub and facilities like Parowan Airport and the private strips of the surrounding valleys as the spokes, reflects the practical approach Utah takes to maintaining aviation access across a diverse and sometimes extreme landscape. The Utah DOT Aeronautics Division's rural airport maintenance programs ensure that smaller facilities like Parowan remain serviceable for emergency use and local general aviation even when commercial traffic volumes would not justify the investment alone.