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.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 7:30AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Powell, Ravalli, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Sanders, Yellowstone counties in effect until 9AM on 08/11/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls, Frenchtown, Libby and Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Dillon, Great Falls, Helena and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Butte, Cut Bank, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
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 |
Community Posts
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