L41 - Marble Canyon Airport (Now PRIVATE USE ONLY)

[Texas Bill]

I know a lot of pilots flying near the Grand Canyon liked to stop at L41 Marble Canyon. It was a narrow paved runway and had sadly gotten in poor condition again. We landed there in 2023 when it was still PUBLIC USE. I think it had been repaved in 2019. So the pavement did not hold up very well if it was done only 4 years prior.

Now the owner has made it PRIVATE USE ONLY by NOTAM. Sure wish they had repaved it and kept it open to the public, but that did not happen. I'm sure repaving it, even as narrow as it was, would have been quite expensive.

 

[Racerx]

Probably something to do with this….

New resort development approved at Marble Canyon

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved rezoning Marble Canyon that will enable a California-based developer to renovate and expand the remote lodge and trading post.

www.nhonews.com

 

[dans2992]

Seems like having a fly in strip would be great for an isolated resort like this.

 

[kaiser]

Rats! this one was on my list

 

[Ventucky Red]

Can't you call ahead and ask permission?

 

[murphey]

Ownership:​	Privately-owned
Owner:​	TV MARBLE CANYON AZ LLC 631 W. KATELLA AVE ANAHEIM, CA 92802 Phone 949-456-5371 FRED BROWN I'm betting TV Marble Canyon translates to Terra Vi , the new developer.

 

[mandm]

Quarter jar

 

[Texas Bill]

I agree, the Terra Vi developer probably does have a something to do with the change. You could contact them to see if they would allow you to land, no harm in asking. After landing at Marble Canyon (L41), I found it OK but certainly not great.

I much preferred Monument Valley (UT25). There prior permission is required but the runway is much better and the terrain is actually more fun to me. Plus Goulding's (lodge / cafe / store /etc) are all right there and a first class operation.
www.gouldings.com/amenities/airstrip/

 

[camorton]

Rats, indeed. Hopefully they will keep the strip open to guests of the lodge. It was a special place and I have fond memories of flying in there with my girlfriend (now wife) back in the day. You had to decend below the rim to take off or land, and it was one of the few places within the Grand Canyon SFRA where you could do so legally.

The motel was beyond basic, but felt like a true oasis. I recall we paid $42 a night, which was pretty cheap even 20 years ago. Hotter than hell in the summer (no pool), but the restuarant was good, and the sunsets were spectacular.

You could walk about 1/4 mile to the famous Navajo Bridge which when completed in 1929, essentially connected northern and southern Arizona. It was the only place you could drive across the Colorado river for hundreds of miles in either direction. In 1995, they built a 'new' wider bridge right next to the original, and the old one is now pedestrian only. It's pretty cool.

 

[Southpaw]

Rats, indeed. Hopefully they will keep the strip open to guests of the lodge. It was a special place and I have fond memories of flying in there with my girlfriend (now wife) back in the day. You had to decend below the rim to take off or land, and it was one of the few places within the Grand Canyon SFRA where you could do so legally.

The motel was beyond basic, but felt like a true oasis. I recall we paid $42 a night, which was pretty cheap even 20 years ago. Hotter than hell in the summer (no pool), but the restuarant was good, and the sunsets were spectacular.

You could walk about 1/4 mile to the famous Navajo Bridge which when completed in 1929, essentially connected northern and southern Arizona. It was the only place you could drive across the Colorado river for hundreds of miles in either direction. In 1995, they built a 'new' wider bridge right next to the original, and the old one is now pedestrian only. It's pretty cool.

View attachment 134992

A double fly under.

 

[NoHeat]

A double fly under.

Double dare ya!

 

[Lowflynjack]

Double dare ya!

My ADSB is intermittent...

 

[Schuy]

Pict from our western trip that stopped at Marble Caynon

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Some info I've received is that the field will likely be closed to all public use at least through 2026. Insurance and business reasons.

 

[Jim K]

Some info I've received is that the field will likely be closed to all public use at least through 2026. Insurance and business reasons.

I wonder if grand canyon airlines will still be able to use it. One of their caravans landed there while we were in the area.

It would be really cool if the development plans include upgrading the airport. The runway wasn't in very good shape. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere too.