Boswell Bay Airport (BSW)

Boswell Bay Airport (BSW), designated AK97, operates as a remote backcountry airstrip on the northeast corner of Hinchinbrook Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska, positioned at coordinates 60.423°N, -146.146°W at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level within the Valdez-Cordova Census Area. Owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Chugach National Forest infrastructure, this historically significant airfield was constructed in 1968 to support the Cold War-era White Alice Communications System radar station, now abandoned with only deteriorating buildings and trails remaining as testament to Alaska's strategic military heritage. The facility serves as a critical wilderness access point for researchers, hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts exploring one of Alaska's most pristine and remote islands, where brown and black bears outnumber humans and the untouched wilderness stretches across 171 square miles of temperate rainforest, alpine terrain, and rugged coastline. The airport operates through extremely basic infrastructure featuring a single gravel runway designated 04/22 measuring 2,612 feet in length by 100 feet in width, constructed without any lighting systems, navigational aids, or instrument approach procedures, restricting all operations to daylight hours under visual flight rules (VFR) only. Aircraft operations require prior permission from ALASCOM and must contend with challenging environmental conditions including frequent turbulence when winds exceed 10 knots from any direction due to the surrounding mountainous terrain, persistent coastal fog, rapidly changing maritime weather patterns, and complete absence of winter maintenance that renders the runway potentially unusable from October through April. The gravel surface accommodates small bush planes and helicopters typically used throughout Alaska's remote regions, including aircraft such as the de Havilland Beaver, Cessna 185, and Super Cub that form the backbone of Alaska's bush aviation network. Terminal facilities are entirely non-existent at this wilderness airstrip, with no buildings, shelters, or structures of any kind available for passenger use or weather protection. The landing area consists solely of the gravel runway surrounded by dense Sitka spruce forest and coastal terrain, requiring all visitors to arrive completely self-sufficient with wilderness camping gear, emergency supplies, food, water purification systems, first aid equipment, and satellite communication devices. The complete absence of infrastructure including electricity, running water, restrooms, fuel services, or any form of ground support equipment means pilots must carry sufficient fuel for round-trip operations, while passengers must be prepared for immediate transition into backcountry conditions upon landing. Bear safety protocols are mandatory given the island's significant brown and black bear populations, requiring proper food storage in bear-resistant containers and carrying appropriate deterrents. The airport's strategic importance extends beyond basic wilderness access to serving as a gateway to Hinchinbrook Island's extraordinary natural resources, including world-class salmon fishing, deer hunting opportunities, scientific research sites, and access to the Boswell Bay State Marine Park located across the bay. Regular operations consist entirely of chartered air taxi services and private flights originating primarily from Cordova (60 miles northeast) and Valdez (90 miles north), with approximately 400 annual aircraft operations split between air taxi services (63%) and general aviation (38%) based on historical records. Ground transportation from the airstrip is limited to hiking on unmaintained trails or pre-arranged boat transfers from the coastline, as no roads, vehicles, or established transportation infrastructure exists anywhere on the island, reinforcing the airport's role as a true wilderness gateway where aviation provides the only practical access to one of Prince William Sound's most spectacular and isolated natural environments.