Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (KRKS)
Medium airport · Rock Springs, Wyoming, United States
Airport data
| Name | Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | KRKS |
| IATA | RKS |
| Elevation | 6,764 ft (2062 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 41°35'39" W 109°3'54" 41.59420, -109.06500 |
| Location | Rock Springs, Wyoming, United States |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/21 | 5,228 ft (1593 m) | 75 ft | ASP | Yes |
| 09/27 | 10,002 ft (3049 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport at a glance
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport is a medium airport in Rock Springs, Wyoming, United States, known to airline systems as RKS. The field elevation of 6,764 ft (2062 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at KRKS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 09/27 — offers 10,002 ft (3049 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 09 points roughly 90° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for KRKS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Vernal Regional Airport | KVEL | 134 km (72 NM) |
| Hunt Field | KLND | 139 km (75 NM) |
| Miley Memorial Field | KBPI | 140 km (76 NM) |
| Ralph Wenz Field | KPNA | 147 km (79 NM) |
| Rawlins Municipal Airport/Harvey Field | KRWL | 157 km (85 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 6,764 ft field elevation of Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 917 airports and airfields we list for United States — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport
What is the ICAO code of Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport is KRKS, and its IATA code is RKS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport above sea level?
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport sits at an elevation of 6,764 feet (2062 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport located?
The airport lies at 41.5942, -109.0650 — in Rock Springs, Wyoming, United States, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Vernal Regional Airport, about 134 km away.
Does KRKS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for KRKS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport?
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 09/27, measures 10,002 ft (3049 m) with a ASP surface.