Trona Airport: A Portal to the California Desert
Introduction
Trona Airport (IATA: TRH) is a hidden jewel among the sand dunes of California, providing vital air services to its community nestled in the Californian desert. As a public airport owned by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this isolated frontier-like setting provides enthusiasts and millennials alike with similar experiences from an idyllic faraway place.
Airlines and Destinations
No commercial airline service is available at the Trona Airport. It remains, however, an important private and charter airport that serves the local community as well as those who travel to the area.
Passenger Numbers over Flights
Since it is a general aviation airport, passenger activity at Trona Airport does not compare to that of larger commercial airports. It does not give an exact number of passengers and flights, as the airport's function is focused more on private pilots, tourist recreational flyers, and entry to nearby natural attractions.
How to Get Here
The Trona Airport is located approximately 5 miles north of the town of Trona, in Inyo County, California. The nearest major airport is Inyokern Airport (IATA: IYK), which has domestic flights and is located about 50 miles from our location. Trona Airport is convenient, allowing visitors to land at the airport through local roads and highways.
Parking
Parking at Trona Airport for visitors is plentiful, with a number of short- and long-term options. Parking charges are kept to a minimum so that those travelling with private cars can easily leave them here.
Transportation Price
Being an airport with only general aviation facilities, the prices refer to local taxes and subsidies. As there is no complimentary shuttle, guests will need to organize their own transportation (rental car, taxi, etc.) to and from the airport.
Terminal Layout
The Trona Airport is small in size, featuring a single terminal building that includes all of the basic services for general aviation facilities. The overall terminal is spacious and easy to navigate, as it lays out in an open plan.
Navigate the Airport
Trona Airport is easy to navigate thanks in large part to the size and layout of the facility. The terminal, parking areas, and all other places within the airport area are easily reached by visitors.
Getting Between Terminals
Since Trona Airport has only one terminal, the airport experience is pretty smooth and straightforward. Within the main building, there is a centralization of all airport services, including operations.
Services and Amenities
Trona Airport has a few basic facilities and services geared towards general aviation, namely private pilots. For the purposes of this section, facilities not opening directly onto the ground or air transportation terminal space may be considered commercial aeronautical activities, provided they are essential to A and B, above. These would include fueling, aircraft maintenance and repair services, limited passenger amenities such as restrooms and waiting areas which do not draw non-transportation persons to the airport property for activity other than those in items A, B, D, E, F, H, I, and J, and offices used solely by entities providing service at RNO.
Restaurants and Shops
Because the airport is so small and all about general aviation, there are no new locations nearby that allow for dedicated restaurants or shops in the Trona Airport terminal. However, guests will probably have to venture into the nearby town of Trona as well as outlying areas for dining and shopping.
Security and Customs
Trona Airport is a general aviation airport, and as such, it does not have the same level of security/customs procedures found at commercial airports. Visitors will still have to comply with basic security requirements, but often the whole experience is easier and faster.
Accessibility
Trona Airport was intended to be a public facility and, as such, remains open for all visitors, including handicap-accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms.
Travel Tips
Be sure to plan ahead for your visit to Trona Airport, as the desert environment here is truly unique. It is recommended to bring water, sun shade, and clothes to protect yourself from the warm climate. Also, with the reduced services and facilities in place at the airport, make sure you plan for your transportation and food options.