Grapevine Airstrip Gets Runway Crack Sealing
The Arizona Pilots Association and U.S. Forest Service completed the repair at the airstrip near Roosevelt Lake after weather delays.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Camping
The Arizona Pilots Association and the U.S. Forest Service completed runway crack sealing at Grapevine Airstrip after weather-related delays. The Recreational Aviation Foundation coordinated the project through a Cost Share agreement with the Tonto National Forest.
Why it matters
The airstrip serves as a campground for pilots and visitors, so maintaining its runway keeps the site usable for fly-in camping. The project shows how aviation groups and federal land managers can share costs for recreational facilities in Arizona.
The Arizona Pilots Association covered the majority of crack sealing costs, with the Forest Service paying a portion under a Cost Share arrangement. No dollar totals or cost split figures were disclosed in the project details.
The players
Arizona Pilots Association
A state aviation organization that covered the majority of the runway crack sealing expenses at Grapevine Airstrip.
U.S. Forest Service
The federal agency that paid a portion of the crack sealing costs and manages the Tonto National Forest where the airstrip is located.
Recreational Aviation Foundation
A nonprofit that coordinated the runway project through a Cost Share agreement with the Tonto National Forest.
The details
Crack sealing was performed on the runway at Grapevine Airstrip, located near Roosevelt Lake, after weather delays postponed the work. The airstrip offers camping supported by volunteer maintenance, including two ramadas, fire rings, and two vault toilets.
Timeline
Group fly-in camping weekends are held the third weekend of each month from September through April.
Roadmap
Cost Share agreements between the Recreational Aviation Foundation and the Tonto National Forest are the mechanism that funded this runway repair. The project follows that pattern of splitting maintenance costs between aviation groups and federal land managers to keep backcountry airstrips usable.
Pilots flying into Grapevine Airstrip can use the camping area, which includes two ramadas, fire rings, and two vault toilets. Visitors planning a fly-in camping weekend should note the third weekend of each month from September through April is when group events are held.
The takeaway
Backcountry airstrips depend on volunteer work and shared funding to stay open for campers and pilots. Visitors who plan trips can check seasonal group events and facility availability before they go.
Further reading
Explore more about camping at Arizona's backcountry sites like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by General Aviation News.
