Hardin has farmland, century-old homes and ties to history
Open land and highways surround Hardin, the county seat of Big Horn County. “Hardin is a small town about 45 to 50 minutes from Billings, outside the Crow Indian Reservation. It has a rich heritage with the Little Big Horn Battlefield, since it’s right outside where the battle took place,” says Boyd Charter, a Montana Real Estate Professionals broker with over 10 years of experience. “Billings is getting more expensive because tons of people are moving in, so people are finding Hardin is way more economical. You get much cheaper homes, so money goes further. There are some 100-year-old homes, some on the historical registry, just interesting houses all with cool history.”
Century-old bungalows, ranch-style homes and split-levels
Hardin has grid-style streets and a variety of housing styles and price ranges. Early to mid-1900s bungalows range from about $80,000 to $270,000. Ranch-style and split-level homes were built in the 1960s through the '80s. These can range from around $250,000 to $370,000, with split-levels usually coming in at the higher end. Residences near the Big Horn River have an elevated flood risk and a wildfire risk; fire risk increases farther east of the river, where natural space is more expansive.
Historic buildings, a battlefield and Big Horn Days festival
Big Horn County Historical Museum includes 24 historic structures, each with photographs and artifacts sharing the story of the Native Americans and settlers who lived on the land. The museum is nearly 15 miles from the Little Bighorn Battlefield, where memorials honor lives lost in the battle known historically as Custer’s Last Stand. Each June the town hosts Little Bighorn Days, a multiday festival with performances and vendors that culminates with a reenactment of Custer's Last Stand.
Parks, water sports and environmental risks near Big Horn River
South Park, Custer Park and Heimat Park all have open spaces with walking paths, a playground and picnic tables. Arapooish Fishing Access Site has a boat launch and hiking trails, and it's common to see American bullfrogs leaping around in the water. Big Horn River meets the Yellowtail Dam nearly 45 miles south. “It’s a huge, hydroelectric dam with miles of water in a gigantic canyon and doesn’t have a beach. It’s very deep, and you can boat for hours and hours and even go to Wyoming,” Charter says.
A soda fountain, shops and restaurants with casinos on local avenues
Center Avenue has a Lynn’s Superfoods and shops, such as Farmer’s Daughter General Store, which has an old-fashioned soda fountain serving malts, ice cream sundaes and more. Various restaurants are on the same road, some of which double as gaming venues, including Brass Rail Casino and Outlaws Cafe and Casino. National fast-food restaurants and Buffalo Tipi Trading Post are near Crawford Avenue. The trading post is a locally owned shop that sells Native American beadwork, handmade crafts and items by Indigenous artists.
Roads to Billings, State Highway 313 and Big Horn Hospital
Interstate 90 runs east to west through northern Hardin, connecting the town to Billings and Billings-Logan International Airport, both about 50 miles away. Old U.S. 87 also leads to Billings. State Highway 313 branches south off Old U.S. 87, tying Hardin to Yellowtail Dam. Big Horn Hospital is in the area and provides comprehensive medical services.
Education in Hardin Elementary School District and Hardin High School
The Hardin Public Schools district includes the Hardin Elementary School District, which serves kindergarten through eighth-grade students and earns a D-minus grade from Niche. Hardin Primary, a kindergarten through second-grade school, has yet to be rated. Other schools include Hardin Intermediate, which has third- through fifth-grade classes and scores a C-minus. Hardin Middle School receives a D-plus. Hardin High is separate from the elementary school district. It offers dual enrollment courses in subjects such as public speaking and gets a C-minus.
