Welcome to Roy, Montana

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  Local Area

  Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui

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  Local Business

  Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui

Rancher Walter H. Peck established a post office on his ranch in 1892. He intended to call it Ray after a relative, but the post office returned the approved application with the name Roy. When homesteaders began arriving in the area in 1910, the Milwaukee Road started planning a feeder line. The Milwaukee Land Company platted the townsite in 1913 and began selling lots; the first train arrived on April 27, 1914 and by May two trains per day were stopping at Roy. Roy's population peaked at 400 people in 1917. The railroad closed the line in 1970. (Copyright 2009, Montana Historical Society: Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman, Montana Historical Society Research Center Staff)

The Roy Rodeo held on Father's Day annually 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 the Sand Creek Wildlife Station, part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. This area includes the rugged Missouri River Breaks and adjacent sagebrush grassland. The landscape has changed little from the time when 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.

Fishing is popular on 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.