Description

Location Overview
Spotted Bear USFS Airport sits within the Flathead National Forest, approximately 3 miles northwest of the community of Spotted Bear and just 3 miles south of the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The Flathead River runs along the eastern side of the strip, providing a striking natural backdrop, and the airstrip makes a useful jumping-off point for venturing further south into the mountains. Notably, the field sits outside of the protected wilderness boundary, with a road running right alongside it - making it more accessible than many remote Montana backcountry strips.

Camping & Recreation
There is camping available directly on the strip, and a nearby wilderness lodge at Spotted Bear offers additional accommodations. Float landings are possible on the nearby Hungry Horse Reservoir, and the surrounding area offers easy access to the Flathead Valley, Glacier National Park, Bigfork, Whitefish, and Kalispell. Fishing along the South Fork of the Flathead River and hiking into the surrounding Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex are primary draws for recreational pilots who land here.

Notes & Warnings
The last 450 feet of the north end of the runway is rough, and so are the overruns. The runway is 3,800 feet long and 78 feet wide, with a turf/gravel surface in fair condition — up to 4-inch rock has been noted on the runway surface. The northern quarter of the strip has a slight dog-leg beginning 1,800 feet from the north end. Trees line both sides of the transition area, with 60-foot trees 430 feet from the runway on the Runway 14 end and 90-foot trees 800 feet out on the Runway 32 end. Elevation is approximately 3,670 feet, and caution is advised due to challenging mountain weather conditions in the area. CTAF is 122.9. The airport is unattended; there are no services, fuel, or tower.

History
Spotted Bear USFS Airport was activated in March 1945 and has long served as a Forest Service support facility for the Spotted Bear Ranger District. Over the years, the strip has been maintained through a collaborative effort among the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), the Montana Pilots Association, and Montana Aeronautics. Volunteer work parties have replaced windsocks, realigned runway cones, repaired outhouse facilities, and installed infrastructure improvements - reflecting the strong community of backcountry pilots dedicated to keeping this remote field alive. The Fly Montana guidebook has described Spotted Bear as a good strip to practice on, given its relatively accessible road access compared to deeper wilderness strips in the region.