Airports in Stevens County, Washington
Stevens County, located in the northeastern corner of Washington State, is a largely rural county of approximately 49,000 residents spread across forested highlands, river valleys, and small incorporated cities including Colville (the county seat), Chewelah, Kettle Falls, Northport, Marcus, and Springdale. With no commercial airline service operating within county boundaries, Stevens County aviation is centered on general aviation — a network of public and private airfields that support agricultural operations, wildfire suppression, recreational flying, and critical access to isolated communities throughout the region. The nearest commercial service airport, Spokane International (GEG), lies roughly 66 to 80 miles to the south, making the county's local airports essential infrastructure for time-sensitive travel and emergency operations.
Colville Municipal Airport (FAA: 63S / ICAO: K63S)
The primary public-use airport in Stevens County is Colville Municipal Airport, located at 120 Highway 20 East in Colville, WA 99114. Situated at an elevation of 1,882 feet MSL, the airport serves as the county's main general aviation hub for private pilots, charter operators, agricultural fliers, and emergency medical flights. The primary runway, designated 01/19 and oriented on a northeast-southwest axis, measures 2,695 feet in length and 40 feet in width with an asphalt surface. A secondary east-west turf runway stretches approximately 1,500 feet and accommodates light sport and tail-dragger aircraft in favorable conditions. The airfield features a parallel taxiway on the west side (25 feet wide) and a full-length east taxiway (15 feet wide), along with runway lighting for low-visibility operations. A pilots' lounge equipped with a camera monitoring system is located in the northeast portion of the airfield. With hangar capacity for roughly 60 aircraft, Colville Municipal is the operational anchor for general aviation throughout the county.
Chewelah Municipal Airport (FAA: 1S9 / ICAO: K1S9)
Chewelah Municipal Airport, also known as Sand Canyon Airport, is located approximately 5 miles north of Chewelah adjacent to Sand Canyon Road. At an elevation of 2,084 feet MSL — the highest public-use airport in the county — the field features a single runway designated 17/35. Chewelah Municipal has historical roots dating to 1933, when the Works Progress Administration developed it as a wilderness airstrip to support U.S. National Forest access in the Selkirk Mountain foothills. Today the airport sits adjacent to the 27-hole Chewelah Golf & Country Club, making it a notable fly-in destination for recreational aviators who combine a round of golf with backcountry flying. In 2018 the City of Chewelah purchased 86 additional acres from the Washington Department of Natural Resources to support future airport development.
Springdale Municipal Airport
Springdale Municipal Airport serves the small incorporated community of Springdale in the southern portion of Stevens County. Like other municipal fields in the county, it provides general aviation access to residents in an area where road distances to larger airports are substantial. The airport supports private pilots and light aircraft operations serving the agricultural and recreational communities of the Springdale area.
Private Airstrips and Restricted-Use Fields
Stevens County also hosts several private and restricted-use airstrips that serve agricultural, ranching, and recreational aviation needs across the county's expansive rural landscape. Flat Creek Field Airport (FAA: 05WN), located approximately 5 miles north of Kettle Falls near the Columbia River, features a 1,700-foot turf-gravel runway and sits at 1,570 feet MSL. It was established in 2007 and remains operational for private use. Bluecreek Airport (FAA: WA57), situated 3 miles south of the West Addy community, occupies 10 acres at 1,740 feet MSL with a runway designated 10/28. Cross Winds Airport (FAA: C72) near Clayton offers a grass runway of approximately 2,800 feet and has historically supported private flight operations in the southern county corridor. Near Northport in the far north of the county, Schmidt Ranch Airport provides a private aerodrome serving the ranching operations in that remote portion of Stevens County along the Canadian border.
Access to Commercial Aviation via Spokane International
For commercial airline travel, Stevens County residents rely primarily on Spokane International Airport (GEG / KGEG), the region's major commercial service airport located approximately 66 to 80 miles south of Colville via US-395. The drive from Colville takes roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes under normal conditions, and direct bus service with two daily departures offers an approximately 2-hour-20-minute alternative for those without vehicles. Spokane International serves multiple major carriers with connections throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the United States, making it the de facto commercial gateway for all of Stevens County.
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 Washington 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 Stevens County, Washington.
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 Stevens County, Washington.
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 Stevens County, Washington.
Local Airports
There are 3 Local Airport in Stevens County, Washington.
Bluecreek Airport
Cross Winds Airport
Sand Canyon Airport
Frequently Asked Questions — Airports in Stevens County, Washington
Stevens County has three public-use municipal airports: Colville Municipal Airport (FAA identifier 63S) in Colville, Chewelah Municipal Airport (FAA identifier 1S9) north of Chewelah, and Springdale Municipal Airport in Springdale. Additionally, the county has several private airstrips including Flat Creek Field (05WN) near Kettle Falls, Bluecreek Airport (WA57) near West Addy, Cross Winds Airport (C72) near Clayton, and Schmidt Ranch Airport near Northport. All public airports support general aviation only — there is no scheduled commercial service within Stevens County.
Yes. Colville Municipal Airport (ICAO: K63S, FAA: 63S) is located at 120 Highway 20 East in Colville and is the largest public-use airport in Stevens County. The airport sits at 1,882 feet elevation and features a 2,695-foot asphalt primary runway (01/19), a secondary 1,500-foot turf runway, runway lighting, a pilots' lounge, and hangar capacity for approximately 60 aircraft. It serves private pilots, charter operations, and emergency medical flights throughout northeastern Washington.
Spokane International Airport (GEG) is approximately 66 to 80 miles south of Colville via US-395, with a typical drive time of around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Spokane International is the primary commercial airline gateway for Stevens County residents, offering connections to major hubs across the Pacific Northwest and the continental United States. Direct bus service between Colville and Spokane runs twice daily and takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Yes. Chewelah Municipal Airport (1S9), also called Sand Canyon Airport, is located adjacent to the 27-hole Chewelah Golf & Country Club, making it a popular fly-in destination for recreational pilots in the Pacific Northwest. The airport sits at 2,084 feet MSL approximately 5 miles north of Chewelah and features a single runway (17/35). Pilots can land, walk or arrange a short ride to the clubhouse, and enjoy a round on one of northeastern Washington's most scenic golf facilities before departing. The airport's origins trace to a 1933 WPA wilderness airstrip, and the City of Chewelah has been actively expanding the facility since purchasing 86 additional acres in 2018.