Van Deriet Campground
Open seasonally, typically late June through early October depending on snow conditions. No fees or reservations required. Mandatory bear-resistant food storage is in effect forest-wide. No vehicle access; fly-in only.
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
About
Van Deriet Campground, also known as Vanderiet Memorial Pilots Campground, offers a rare backcountry camping experience exclusively for pilots who can fly into the adjacent airstrip. Located 30 miles west of Augusta amid the Rocky Mountain Front, this primitive 6-site campground provides vault toilets and drinking water from a hand pump. The campground honors Ray Van De Riet, a local cattle rancher instrumental in developing camping facilities at Montana's backcountry airstrips. The site sits near the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, offering access to some of Montana's most pristine backcountry. Bears frequent the area, and mandatory food storage in approved containers is required. Campers must store food out of sight and remove all food from the area after eating. Light usage makes this an uncrowded destination for adventurous aviators seeking solitude on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Directions
No vehicle access. Fly into the adjacent backcountry airstrip approximately 30 miles west of Augusta along the Benchmark Road corridor. The campground is located at the south end of the airstrip.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 562-3247 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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