Riverwood Airport — Clifton Forge, Virginia
Riverwood Airport is a private general aviation facility near Clifton Forge in Alleghany County, Virginia, operating in the mountain terrain of the Allegheny Highlands. Like other private strips in the region, Riverwood serves the needs of local property owners and recreational pilots who value direct access to aviation without traveling to a public-use airport. The Jackson River valley and surrounding wooded ridgelines define the landscape here, creating a scenic but technically demanding flying environment that requires pilots to plan carefully for obstacle clearance and emergency landing options.
Clifton Forge and the adjacent City of Covington form the core of Alleghany County's population center, and the region has long relied on private aviation as a practical alternative to long drives on US Route 60 or Interstate 64. Riverwood Airport, situated near wooded terrain, exemplifies the type of turf strip that supports backcountry and bush-style flying in Virginia's mountain counties. The FAA Eastern Region's Flight Standards District Office oversees airworthiness and pilot certification activities throughout the area. Pilots operating at mountain strips in this region of Virginia are encouraged to review FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-21 and consider mountain flying endorsements given the terrain complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverwood Airport open to the public?
Riverwood Airport is a private-use facility, meaning landing requires prior permission from the airport owner. It is not open for public use and is not listed as a public airport in the FAA Airport/Facility Directory for general transient operations.
What services are available near Clifton Forge for general aviation?
Public-use services in the region include Ingalls Field (HSP) in Hot Springs and Lewisburg Airport in West Virginia. For fuel, maintenance, and full FBO services, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is the nearest reliever airport with comprehensive general aviation support.
What terrain hazards exist around Clifton Forge airports?
Alleghany County terrain includes ridgelines exceeding 3,500 feet MSL within a few miles of valley floors. Narrow mountain valleys can create dangerous box canyon situations if a pilot continues into deteriorating weather. Standard VFR minimums may be inadequate, and local knowledge of terrain features is strongly recommended.
Riverwood Airport Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Clifton Forge, Virginia.
| Name | Riverwood Airport |
| Address | State Route 633, Clifton Forge VA 24422 Map |
| Phone | (703) 862-7269 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Riverwood Airport
Airports near Clifton Forge
Private Aviation in Alleghany County, Virginia
Alleghany County's geography has always shaped its transportation options. The narrow valleys carved by the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers create both challenges and opportunities for aviation — challenging because terrain dominates, and opportunistic because private strips can often be situated on river bottom land that offers natural runway length and relatively flat terrain. Riverwood Airport appears to take advantage of this natural geography in the Clifton Forge vicinity, providing local access that reflects the self-reliant character of mountain Virginia communities.
Virginia's broader general aviation network includes more than 60 public-use airports overseen by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), which works in coordination with the FAA Eastern Region to maintain safety standards and infrastructure grants. For Alleghany County residents, the Virginia Aviation Fund has historically supported public airport infrastructure, though private strips like Riverwood fall outside the scope of public funding programs. Pilots visiting the region for recreation can also explore George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, which border Alleghany County and offer spectacular aerial views of one of Virginia's most scenic highland regions.