North Van Houten Campground
The campground operates seasonally from June through September. First-come, first-served only with no reservations. No potable water available; campers must bring their own. Pack out all trash.
Winter Weather Advisory issued October 9 at 11:29AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of between 2 to 5 inches across lower elevations, with 5 to 8 inches in the mountains. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central and southwest Montana. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.
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.
About
North Van Houten Campground sits at 6,700 feet elevation near Van Houten Lake in Montana's Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The small campground features seven primitive sites surrounded by lodgepole pine forest, offering a quiet retreat for anglers and nature enthusiasts. A boat launch provides access to Van Houten Lake for non-motorized boating and fishing, including ice fishing in winter months. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. Amenities are limited to ADA-accessible vault toilets and picnic tables. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply or treat water from nearby sources. Trash service is not provided; pack out everything you pack in. Cell phone coverage is not available in the area. The access road and site configurations limit trailers to 20 feet maximum. South Van Houten Campground is located across the lake and offers similar primitive camping. The area supports wildlife viewing, scenery viewing, snowmobiling, and picnicking in addition to fishing opportunities.
Directions
From Jackson, MT travel 1.5 miles south on Highway 278. Take Forest Road 181 for 10.5 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | 20ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 689-3243 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS North Van Houten Campground |
Photos
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