Description

Location Overview
Meadow Creek is located on the South Fork of the Flathead River, on the northern border of the Bob Marshall Wilderness in northwest Montana, within the Flathead National Forest. The airstrip sits at an elevation of 3,984 feet and features a turf runway approximately 2,830 feet long and 100 feet wide. It is roughly a 20-minute flight from Kalispell City Airport, making it accessible yet genuinely remote.

Camping & Recreation
The camping area is located about 800 feet from the north end of the airstrip to the west, toward the river, with the last campsite overlooking the river. A metal bear box is available on the north end of the field for food storage, and two outdoor toilets are near the camping area. Firewood is plentiful and it's just a short walk to the river for fishing. A hiking trail runs just east of the field heading south, offering great views the further you go. A few miles to the south, a pack bridge crosses the river and connects to a car parking area and a dirt road system. The fishing and hiking are both considered spectacular by those who have visited.

Notes & Warnings
The CTAF frequency is 122.9. This is a genuine backcountry strip requiring mountain flying experience — the turf surface can be soft during wet periods, and density altitude is a real consideration in summer. Wildlife, including deer, elk, and bear, may be present on or near the runway. Pilots should overfly and inspect the strip before landing. No fuel or services are available on site, so plan accordingly. Bear country protocols are in effect — use the provided bear boxes for all food storage.

History Meadow
Creek has long served as a key access point into the remote wilderness of northwest Montana, used historically by Forest Service personnel, outfitters, hunters, fishermen, and river runners. The Forest Service does not incur direct maintenance expenses at the strip — instead, printed airport directories describe the airfield and include special pilot precautions, and the Montana Aeronautics Division provides safety items such as windsocks and runway markers. In recent years, the Recreational Aviation Foundation and Montana Pilots Association have organized annual volunteer work parties at the airstrip. A 2025 work session drew nearly 30 people who flew and hiked in — one of the largest turnouts in recent memory — to install new bear box support posts, build shelves to keep firewood dry, cut downed trees, fill gopher holes, mow the runway, and replace windsocks. The airstrip continues to be a beloved destination in Montana's backcountry aviation community, maintained through the collective care of the pilots who cherish it.