Tucked into the rugged borderlands of Idaho, Star Valley Ranch is home to what is recognized as the most remote dedicated recreational airstrip in the lower 48 states. Operated by the Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation (JRBAF), the ranch is a rare outpost of civilization surrounded by an ocean of sagebrush, canyons, and endless horizons. Pilots who fly into Star Valley quickly discover that this is not just another backcountry strip—it is an immersion into true isolation, where the modern world seems to vanish the moment the wheels touch down.

The Cowboy and Outlaw Legacy

The surrounding region carries a vivid legacy of cowboys, cattle drives, and outlaws who once roamed these high desert plateaus. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this country was a frontier crossroads: cattle ranchers carved out a hard living, while outlaws used the broken canyons and hidden draws as refuge from the law. One of those men, John Cross—a notorious rustler and horse thief—met his end here in the early 1900s, and his grave still rests quietly on the property today, a stark reminder of the violent and lawless days of the frontier.

That tradition of outlaw refuge did not end with the Old West. Nearly a century later, in the early 2000s, the infamous outlaw Claude Dallas, known for living off the grid and evading authorities, also took shelter on the Star Valley Ranch property. His presence added a modern chapter to the land’s history of rebellion and secrecy, tying the legends of yesterday’s horse thieves to the fugitives of more recent memory. The same wide valleys and rimrock bluffs that once hid rustlers continue to hold the stories of men who sought escape in the harsh emptiness of this country.

Life in “The Big Empty”

Star Valley Ranch lies at the heart of a region often called “the Big Empty”—a vast swath of land stretching across southwest Idaho, southeast Oregon, and northern Nevada. With some of the lowest population density in the entire continental United States, this country is defined more by silence and sky than by human presence. To the west, endless desert basins shimmer in the heat. To the east, isolated ranges rise abruptly from the flats, offering both beauty and a stern reminder of how unforgiving this land can be. Here, roads are few, towns are scattered, and a pilot’s airplane is often the only lifeline across immense distances.

A Gateway to True Wilderness

By opening and maintaining Star Valley Ranch, JRBAF has preserved a unique gateway into this seldom-traveled part of America. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration, connecting today’s backcountry pilots with the cowboy grit and outlaw daring that once defined this place. For those who venture into its remote embrace, the Star Valley airstrip is more than just a destination—it is an invitation to step back in time and experience the rare quiet of the Big Empty.