It is a part of the municipality of Westerveld, and lies about 24 km northwest of Hoogeveen.

It is located along the small river Vledder Aa.

Officially, the village of Vledder was started approximately in the year 500 AD.

Situated in a desolate region, the village grew slowly.

[3] The village contains a museum of fake art, a Seamuseum, a Nazi labour camp for Jewish people (Kamp Vledder) and a museum of contemporary prints and glass.