The Recreational Aviation Foundation has awarded a grant to rehabilitate the campground at Siletz Bay State Airport (S45), near the small community of Lincoln Beach on the Oregon coast.
“Once an extremely popular place for pilot gatherings, this campground saw up to 25 airplanes at a time for weekend camping in its heyday,” said RAF Oregon Ambassador Sarah Brown. “However, the campground has become overgrown and nearly forgotten over the years.”
Brown partnered with RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes to apply for the grant.
According to Brown, a local RAF supporter, Bruce Dunlop, suggested the recreational potential of the campground.
That led her to exploring with Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson the feasibility of reviving the campground with the help of a RAF grant and volunteers.
Efforts will include clearing brush and removing and chipping dead trees, removing rotten platforms, fire rings, and picnic tables. Volunteers will replace picnic tables and fire rings, lay gravel to help improve drainage, and build a firewood shed.
The airport is owned and managed by the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA).
RAF’s Oregon team has successfully worked with ODA to improve safety and facilities at several other airports with recreational potential, particularly McKenzie Bridge (00S), Owyhee (28U), and Toketee (3S6). Other ongoing collaborations between RAF and ODA include discussions to improve the facilities at Nehalem Bay (3S7), RAF officials noted.
Repaved in 2025, the Siletz Bay Airport is a 15-minute walk from Gleneden Beach, what Brown says is “a great place to walk in the sand, look for agates, fly a kite, surf, or whale watch in the spring and summer.”
A 40-minute walk north of the airport takes you to hiking trails at the Alder Island Nature Trailhead. Highway 101 parallels the runway and is known for its scenic cycling. Golfing is another recreational opportunity at the Salishan Coastal Lodge Resort, which is adjacent to the airport. Several restaurants are also located within walking distance, RAF officials said.
For more information: TheRAF.org
Leave a Reply