North Van Houten Campground
Closed — Closed for winter. The campground operates June through September. Access road is typically impassable due to snow during winter months.
R1-2024-01 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.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
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.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
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, and South Dakota.
R1-2025-02 Use of Vehicles Off Road
Use of vehicles off road prohibition for the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Use of Vehicles Off Road
Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads is prohibited on all National Forest System lands on the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Madison Ranger District 8325A and 8325B Roads Closure
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest ServiceBeaverhead-Deerlodge National ForestMadison Ranger District
Road/Trail Prohibitions, Off-Road Prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness Areas
This order describes the off-road prohibitions in Recommended Wilderness.
Annual Food Storage Order
Food storage order is in effect annually from March 1 to December 1 on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Beaverhead- Deerlodge and Bitterroot National Forests.
Pallet Prohibition Order Butte Ranger District
The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: possessing or storing any material containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware, including wood pallets and construction debris, that could be used as fir
Thompson Park Area Closure for Camping and Fires
The purpose of this Order is to provide for public health and safety and resource protection resulting from high levels of undeveloped (dispersed) camping in the area.
Elkhorn Mill and Mine Area Closure
The purpose of this Order is for public safety. The mill site is unstable with heavy metals in the soil and the audit area is flooded with falling rock at the portal entrance.
About
North Van Houten Campground is a small, primitive campground situated at 6,700 feet elevation near Van Houten Lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Surrounded by lodgepole pine forest, this peaceful lakeside setting offers 7 first-come, first-served campsites with no camping fees. The campground is equipped with vault toilets, picnic tables at each site, and fire pits. ADA-accessible toilet facilities are available. The campground provides direct access to Van Houten Lake with a boat launch for non-motorized watercraft. Anglers can enjoy lake fishing during the summer months and ice fishing in winter when the lake freezes. The area is popular for wildlife viewing and scenic photography. There is no potable water available at the campground, so visitors must bring their own supply or treat water from nearby streams and springs. No garbage service is provided, so visitors must pack out all trash. The maximum recommended trailer length is 20 feet, and there is a 16-day stay limit. The remote location offers no cell phone coverage. Access is via Forest Road 181, which is typically only passable during summer months. The campground operates from June through September, with winter access limited by snow.
Directions
From Jackson, MT travel 1.5 miles south on Highway 278. Take Forest Road 181 for 10.5 miles to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| 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 | 20ft |
| 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 |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!