Wind River Wyoming: Which Airport Is Best?

what airport for wind river wyoming

Wyoming has several airports, including Jackson Hole, Yellowstone Regional, and Cheyenne Regional, serving as gateways to its natural wonders. The closest airport to Wind River, Wyoming is Riverton Regional Airport (RIW/KRIW), which is 38 miles from Wind River. Central Wyoming Regional Airport is also an option for travellers to Wind River Country, with convenient travel options and exceptional service. Lander, Wyoming also has an airport, KLND, which is located 157 miles from the southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Characteristics Values
Nearest airport to Wind River, Wyoming Riverton Regional Airport (RIW / KRIW)
Distance from Wind River, WY 38 miles
Address 4800 Airport Rd, Riverton, WY 82501
Other nearby airports Worland Municipal Airport, Jackson Hole Airport, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport, Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Casper-Natrona County International Airport, Lander's Hunt Field Airport (KLND)
International airports with direct flights Denver International Airport (DEN), Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

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Central Wyoming Regional Airport

After Frontier Airlines left the airport in 1985, Pioneer Airlines filled the gap with their Swearingen Metroliners, providing nonstop flights to Denver. These flights were code-sharing as Continental Express for Continental Airlines. By 1989, Continental Express operated nonstops to Denver using Rocky Mountain Airways' ATR 42s and Beechcraft 1900Cs.

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Riverton Regional Airport

The closest airport to Wind River, Wyoming, is Riverton Regional Airport (IATA: RIW, ICAO: KRIW). The airport is located in the town of Riverton, Wyoming, and is approximately 38 miles from Wind River.

History

In the late 1980s, Continental Express, in collaboration with Continental Airlines, operated non-stop flights to Denver using Rocky Mountain Airways' ATR 42s and Beechcraft 1900Cs. Great Lakes Airlines also served the airport with Beechcraft 1900Ds, and later introduced larger Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias on their flights to Denver. Unfortunately, Great Lakes Airlines ceased operations, and their service to Riverton ended.

Recent Developments

As of 2020, the airport's name was changed from Riverton Regional Airport to Central Wyoming Regional Airport. SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, currently serves the airport, having taken over the subsidized air service contract for Riverton and Sheridan in 2020. United Express is a regional partner of United Airlines, which provides air service to over 200 destinations within the United States and more than 13 international destinations.

Nearby Attractions

Riverton, Wyoming, offers visitors a glimpse into the Indigenous tribes of the region, the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone. The town, located near the base of the Wind River Range, is rich in cultural and historical sites. Visitors can explore the Wind River Heritage Center, which showcases mounted wildlife. Additionally, Riverton is just over three hours away from Yellowstone National Park, providing easy access to one of the country's most renowned natural wonders.

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Worland Municipal Airport

The airport features three runways: 16/34, which is 7,000 feet by 100 feet and made of asphalt; 10/28, spanning 2,502 feet by 60 feet and made of turf; and 4/22, which measures 2,241 feet by 60 feet and is also turf. As of 2021, the airport accommodated 3,060 aircraft operations annually, averaging 59 flights per week. The majority of these flights (70%) were general aviation, while air taxi accounted for 29% and military flights for less than 1%.

In terms of scheduled airline services, Great Lakes Airlines previously operated from Worland Municipal Airport but discontinued its services in 2016. According to Federal Aviation Administration data, the airport saw 2,996 passenger boardings in 2008, followed by 2,650 in 2009 and 2,737 in 2010.

For travellers visiting Wind River, Wyoming, the closest major airport is Riverton Regional Airport (RIW/KRIW) in Riverton, Wyoming. This airport is approximately 38 miles from the centre of Wind River.

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Jackson Hole Airport

The airport was created in the 1930s as the best place for an airport in Teton County. It was designated as part of a national monument in 1943 and merged with Grand Teton National Park in 1950. The runway was extended to its current length in 1959, and in the late 1970s, jets began using the existing runway. The airport is noise-sensitive and bans older, noisier aircraft with stage-II engines. Due to a short runway at high altitude, the largest aircraft regularly seen at the airport is the Boeing 757-200 operated by Delta Air Lines on flights to Atlanta.

The airport is served year-round by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and seasonally by Sun Country Airlines. During peak summer and winter seasons, Jackson Hole offers nonstop airline service from up to 15 destinations across the United States. The airport has 11 hard stand gates and three baggage carousels. Passengers board aircraft via ramps as the airport does not have jet bridges. The airport terminal has a restaurant and gift shop post-security, as well as a cafe by the baggage claim area.

The new terminal, designed by Gensler, blends with the unique surroundings of the national park with exposed wood, fireplaces, and nature photography throughout. The park limited the height of the terminal building to 18 feet (5.5 m). The terminal design received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2014. Jackson Hole Airport is one of 16 airports that employ its security screeners under contract with the Transportation Security Administration's Screening Partnership Program.

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Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport

The closest airport to Wind River, Wyoming, is Riverton Regional Airport (RIW), which is approximately 38 miles from Wind River. However, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport, also known as Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport, is another option for travellers to the area.

In terms of sustainability, Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport has made notable strides. In December 2017, it became the first airport in Wyoming to adopt a renewable energy source for a portion of its electrical needs. A 25 KW solar farm was installed, helping to offset the electrical demand of the General Aviation Complex operated by Sweetwater Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator.

Frequently asked questions

The closest major airport to Wind River, Wyoming, is Riverton Regional Airport (RIW/KRIW), which is 38 miles from Wind River.

Some smaller airports near Wind River, Wyoming, include Worland Municipal Airport (120 miles away), Jackson Hole Airport (138 miles away), Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport (140 miles away), Gillette-Campbell County Airport (144 miles away), and Casper-Natrona County International Airport (146 miles away).

The address of Riverton Regional Airport is 4800 Airport Rd, Riverton, WY 82501.

Wyoming's largest airport is Casper-Natrona County International Airport (CPR), which is also the only international airport in the state. Other major airports in Wyoming include Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) and Yellowstone Regional Airport.

The airport code for Lander, Wyoming, is KLND.

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