Remote Alaska bush strip serving the tiny Chicken community.
Location
Chicken, United States
Chicken Airport (CKX) is a small general aviation airstrip located near the unincorporated community of Chicken in the Tok Census Area of eastern interior Alaska. The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 1,640 feet above sea level and provides essential air access to one of Alaska's most isolated and famously named communities.
The airstrip serves primarily bush planes and small charter aircraft, as Chicken is not accessible by paved road and air travel remains a critical transportation link for residents, particularly during winter months. The community itself is known for its colorful name, which local legend attributes to early settlers who struggled to spell 'ptarmigan,' the bird they intended to name the town after.
Getting to & from
Ground access to Chicken is possible via the unpaved Taylor Highway during summer months, which connects to the Alaska Highway system.
Airlines here
No scheduled commercial airlines serve Chicken Airport; it is used exclusively by general aviation and bush charter operators.
Notable facts
- ›Chicken is one of the few remaining gold-mining communities in Alaska.
- ›The airport's IATA and ICAO codes are both listed as CKX.
- ›The community of Chicken has a permanent year-round population of fewer than 20 people.
- ›The town of Chicken is famously said to have been named after the ptarmigan bird due to settlers' spelling difficulties.
- ›The airstrip is unpaved and serves as a lifeline for residents during winter when the Taylor Highway closes.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
