Mount Parapoo

Mount Parapoo is a gated flying site in Narvon, Pennsylvania, built on land owned by the Chester County Solid Waste Authority — a working landfill, not a wilderness hill, and that shapes almost everything about flying here. Launch options are the West peak (about 1,130 ft MSL, generally the preferred one) and the North ridge (roughly 1,100-1,110 ft), with a 4WD vehicle sometimes needed to reach parts of the north slope; the East peak is an active landfill area and off-limits to flying. Access itself is restricted and scheduled: the site is gated and only reachable with a site coordinator, flying is limited to set hours (weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons, and all day Sunday), and pilots need a valid USHPA membership or equivalent to fly here. A helmet is required whenever flying or kiting, and a radio is required in the air. Because this is landfill terrain, landing on the North or West slopes takes real care — the ground holds methane wellheads, debris fences and guard rails scattered across it, so landing here is at each pilot's own discretion and judgment on the day.

Launch & conditions

West peak (~1,130 ft MSL) is generally the preferred launch; the North ridge (~1,100-1,110 ft) sometimes needs a 4WD vehicle to reach. The East peak is an active landfill area and off-limits.

Getting there & local rules

Site is gated and only accessible with a site coordinator — arrange access in advance. Flying hours: weekdays 5:30 PM to sunset, Saturday 12:30 PM to sunset, Sunday sunrise to sunset. Valid USHPA membership or equivalent is required.

Local rules & hazards

This is active landfill terrain: the North and West landing slopes hold methane wellheads, debris fences and guard rails, so pick your line with care. A helmet is required whenever flying or kiting, and a radio is required in the air. No smoking on site.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Mount Parapoo, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Mount Parapoo with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.