Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport (KHWQ), Montana
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Wheatland County at Harlowton (KHWQ) is a small public-use airport in central Montana, sitting at 4,312 feet elevation with a single paved runway. The field is unattended, and FAA TFMSC data shows modest cross-border business aviation traffic for 2025, reflecting its role as a rural, low-volume general aviation field rather than a hub for scheduled or high-density operations. Nearby fields such as Lewistown Municipal and Big Timber at Howard Field sit within roughly 40 nautical miles, and the nearest customs-capable airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International, about 67 nautical miles away.
Runways
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport has one paved runway, 09/27, 4,200 ft long and 60 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Bozeman Yellowstone International (KBZN), 67 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport recorded 58 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October. Business aviation traffic at KHWQ is concentrated in the July through October period, according to FAA TFMSC data, with fewer operations recorded in the winter and early spring months.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 11 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport averages 9.1 days above 90°F in August, 29.2 freeze days in December and 2.6 snow days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83.9°F, and December the coldest, at 35.4°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: runway notes, environmental and other notes.
Runway lighting (MIRL) for Runway 09/27 and the PAPI for Runway 27 are pilot-activated via CTAF.
Deer are present on and in the vicinity of the runway, especially during nighttime hours.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Salt Lake ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Wheatland County at Harlowton Airport has five airfields within 45 NM. The closest is Big Timber at Howard Field, 38.91 NM south.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KHWQ
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at KHWQ.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Is fuel available at KHWQ?
Fuel type data is not published for Wheatland County at Harlowton in current FAA records. The field is unattended (UNATNDD), so any fuel service would be self-managed rather than staffed. Dispatchers planning a stop here should confirm fuel availability directly before relying on it. KHWQ operates as a single-runway, non-towered public airport in Montana.
What runway does KHWQ have and what is its length?
KHWQ, Wheatland County at Harlowton, has one paved runway, 09/27, measuring 4,200 feet long and 60 feet wide with an asphalt surface. The field elevation is 4,312 feet. The runway lighting (MIRL) and the PAPI on Runway 27 are pilot-activated rather than continuously operated.
How do pilots turn on the runway lights at KHWQ?
At KHWQ, the medium intensity runway lights for Runway 09/27 and the PAPI for Runway 27 are pilot-activated via CTAF. There is no control tower at Harlowton, so this activation replaces staffed lighting control. Pilots should be prepared to key the CTAF frequency to bring up lighting for arrival or departure at this Montana field.
Where does customs clearance happen for flights arriving near Harlowton, Montana?
KHWQ does not have onsite customs service. The nearest customs airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International (KBZN), located approximately 67 nautical miles away. Flights requiring customs clearance near Harlowton should plan to route through KBZN rather than expecting service at Wheatland County at Harlowton itself.