Castle Airport

Merced, United States

Explore Merced city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

KMER

ICAO

191 ft

Elevation

AirlinesAirports profile

Former Air Force base turned civilian aviation hub.

Opened

1995

Location

Merced, United States

Castle Airport, designated IATA code MER and ICAO code KMER, is a public airport located in Merced, California, United States. It occupies the former Castle Air Force Base, which was a Strategic Air Command installation closed in 1995 under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Following its conversion to civilian use, the airport serves general aviation, cargo, and limited commercial operations in the Central Valley region of California. The site retains much of its military infrastructure, including long runways capable of accommodating large aircraft. The adjacent Castle Air Museum preserves a significant collection of historic military aircraft on the former base grounds, making the area a point of interest beyond aviation operations.

Terminals

The airport has limited passenger terminal facilities, primarily oriented toward general aviation and occasional charter or cargo operations rather than scheduled commercial service.

Getting to & from

The airport is accessible by road via Highway 99 and local routes connecting to downtown Merced, with ground transport options including taxis and rental cars.

Notable facts

›Originally operated as Castle Air Force Base, a key Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War.
›Closed as a military installation in 1995 under the BRAC process.
›Features two long runways, including one over 11,000 feet, a legacy of its military role.
›Castle Air Museum, located on the former base, houses over 60 historic military aircraft.
›Situated in California's Central Valley, approximately 55 miles north of Fresno.

Official website Wikipedia

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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Airlines serving this airport

No scheduled airline data available.

Routes

No route data available.

Hotels near MER

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

Where

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Rooms

AirlinesAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.

City & Place Guide

Gateway to Yosemite with small-town California charm

Merced is a mid-sized city in California's Central Valley, best known as the western gateway to Yosemite National Park. Home to the University of California, Merced, the city blends agricultural roots with a growing academic community and a compact, walkable downtown.

Visitors often use Merced as a base for Yosemite day trips, but the city itself offers worthwhile stops including a historic courthouse, wildlife refuges, and a vibrant farmers market scene. The pace is relaxed, prices are affordable, and the locals are welcoming to travelers passing through or staying a while.

•Yosemite National Park — a short drive east for world-class waterfalls and scenery
•Merced National Wildlife Refuge — prime winter destination for sandhill cranes and geese
•Merced County Courthouse Museum — stunning 1875 Italianate building with local history exhibits
•Lake Yosemite Regional Park — popular spot for picnicking, boating, and birdwatching
•Applegate Park and Zoo — free small zoo beloved by families in the heart of the city
•UC Merced Arboretum — peaceful campus green space with native California plantings

Getting around: Amtrak's San Joaquin line stops in Merced, and YARTS bus service connects the station directly to Yosemite Valley. Within the city, The Bus (Merced County Transit) operates local routes, though a car is the most practical option for reaching wildlife refuges and surrounding areas. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are available but can be inconsistent outside peak hours.

Best time: Spring (March through May) offers mild temperatures, wildflower blooms, and peak Yosemite waterfall flows, making it the ideal time to visit.

Local food: Sample fresh stone fruits and almonds at the downtown farmers market, and seek out authentic Mexican cuisine — especially carnitas and handmade tamales — at the family-run taquerias throughout the city.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via MER? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for United States from official government sources.

United States visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Encyclopaedia

Castle Airport is a public airport in unincorporated Merced County, California, 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Merced. The airport is operated by the Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development. It is owned jointly by the city of Merced, the city of Atwater, and Merced County. The airport was formerly designated as Castle Air Force Base (1941–1995), a United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base which was closed after the end of the Cold War in 1995.

Read full article on Wikipedia