Photos courtesy of The Base Camp

“50 years of local support and is overwhelming and heartwarming. Deepest gratitude and appreciation is what comes from my heart.” - Lauren Brown  

Fifty years. That’s a lot of trails hiked, skis waxed, and tents pitched, and The Base Camp has been there for every adventure. What started as one man’s dream in Helena has evolved into a second-generation family business that continues to fuel Montana’s passion for the outdoors. Now, as sisters Lauren and Cody Brown step into leadership, they’re not only honoring their parents’ legacy, they’re also inviting the community to keep this family tradition thriving for the next 50 years. 

When Scott Brown opened The Base Camp all those years ago, it was little more than a small but determined backpacking and cross-country skiing shop. He had a booming voice that could fill any room, a personality just as big, and a vision for a store that wasn’t about hunting and fishing gear, but about equipping people to explore the outdoors in new ways. His wife soon joined in, and together with longtime store manager Diane Morgan, who had guided the business for 40 years, they shaped The Base Camp’s growth with an eye for soft goods, clothing, and unique Montana-made gifts that set the store apart. Together, they built not just a shop, but a Montana institution. 

By 1990, the Browns had brought The Base Camp to Billings, transforming what was once a bridal shop into the Grand Avenue hub we know today. It was a true family effort, with everyone pitching in, even heading to the Little Snowys together to cut down aspen trees to decorate the new store. Those same aspen trees are still standing in the store today, a living reminder of the family’s roots and the legacy they continue to build. For Lauren and Cody, who were just kids at the time, those years were filled with memories: watching customers try on ski boots while they played under the stairs, tagging along to community events, and rolling their eyes when people stopped their dad everywhere they went—hot springs, the backcountry, you name it. Today, those once-annoying moments are some of their favorite memories. “It’s a legacy business our parents built,” Lauren says. “Now it’s so personal for us.” 

Running a locally owned outdoor shop in a changing retail world hasn’t been easy. The sisters are quick to admit that staying relevant is one of their biggest challenges. Billings has grown, and many newer residents haven’t yet discovered The Base Camp. Meanwhile, trends come and go. Canoeing was hot in the ’90s; now its trail running and stand-up paddleboarding. But the Browns have never been afraid to evolve. Their shelves have grown to include not just hiking boots but outdoor fashion, sustainable brands, and Montana-made gifts. And through it all, customer service has remained the soul of the store. 

“We’re here to help,” Lauren explains. “Whether it’s fitting a new backpack or finding the right gear for your first camping trip, we get excited about getting people outside.” 

The sisters have also worked hard to keep The Base Camp’s community spirit alive. From supporting Billings TrailNet and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation to partnering with Montana Trout Unlimited and Wild Montana, they see giving back as central to their mission. Their dad’s legacy of community engagement, whether it was hosting canoe days at Riverfront Park or giving radio snow reports in Helena, lives on in every nonprofit collaboration they take on. “That’s why we’re in business,” Lauren says. 

For Lauren and Cody, taking over the store has brought them closer as a family. Cody moved back from Hawaii; their mom still helps with merchandising and floral displays, and their parents take pride in watching the next generation step up. As for what’s next? They don’t see The Base Camp changing dramatically, just continuing to evolve with outdoor trends while keeping its heart the same. “We hope it still feels like a special place for people to come, get inspired, and get outside,” Lauren says. 

At the end of the day, though, what will keep The Base Camp going isn’t just gear or trends, it’s the Billings community. “Fifty years of local support is overwhelming and heartwarming,” Lauren reflects. “Deepest gratitude and appreciation is what comes from my heart. There’s something really important about communities supporting and relying on each other, and we hope we’ve done that for Billings as well.” 

So, here’s the challenge, Billings. Show up, shop local, and support this family-owned business that has given so much to the outdoor spirit of our city because the next 50 years of The Base Camp depend on it. 

Celebrate With The Base Camp 

The Base Camp – 1730 Grand Avenue, Billings 

Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 2:00–6:00 p.m. 

Free and open to the public 

Join The Base Camp as they mark 50 years in business (and 35 years in Billings) with an afternoon of community celebration. Enjoy live music, local food trucks, cozy fire pits, and free hot cocoa in a commemorative 50th Anniversary Hydro Flask mug (while supplies last). 

Shop limited-edition anniversary merchandise, browse The Base Camp memorabilia tent, and take advantage of 20% off the entire store all day. Plus, enter to win raffle prizes from top outdoor brands like Patagonia, Mountain Smith, Mountain Hardwear, Crazy Creek, Hydro Flask, Big Agnes, Eagle Creek, Royal Robbins, Fjällräven, Black Diamond, Osprey, and Altra. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Billings TrailNet and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation.