Roy's population was about four hundred and that was in 1915 when there was a homesteader on every 160 acres. Saturday night dances were the big thing. People came by horseback or in a buggy. (from Cheney's
Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Roy did not last long as a hub for community events, however. The population dwindled during World War I, the 160-acre holdings were bought up, and today the area is predominately cattle ranching land.
Roy Rodeo held on Father's Day annually, and it includes a dance and auction in addition to all the rodeo events. The stock is professional, the food is great and the local crowd is friendly. The Missouri River is a short 30 miles away and the wildlife viewing in the Roy area is exceptional.
Northeast of Roy on Highway 191 is Sand Creek Wildlife Station, part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. This area provides a unique representation of the rugged Missouri River Breaks and adjacent sagebrush grassland. The landscape is little changed from the time that Lewis and Clark came up the valley in 1804. Mule and white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn, coyote, bobcat, prairie dogs, raptors and grouse are common. Bighorn sheep inhabit remote buttes and cliffs, occasionally the tracks of mountain lion can be seen in the mud or snow, and the rare black-footed ferret was recently reintroduced to the refuge.
Fishing is popular in the Missouri River at Fort Peck Reservoir. Hunters pursue deer, elk and grouse in the fall. Primitive camping is allowed on nearly the entire refuge, as is hiking, bird watching and horseback riding. Solitude will reward the ambitious hiker, and spectacular views can be enjoyed from the ridge tops and canyon rims.
