As the “Cow Capital of the World,” Miles City weaves its proud Western heritage into every aspect of its city lifestyle.. “It’s a pretty historic place, with more of a small-town community feel,” says Bailey Teig, administrative assistant for the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce. Originally established in 1876 as Fort Keogh, the city quickly became a center for horse and livestock trading. Now, Miles City has grown to become the largest city in Southeastern Montana and the county seat of Custer County, with a population of over 8,500. “During the summers, people will come from all over for hunting and the Bucking Horse Sale.” Miles City is also considered a commercial and medical hub for the region, with a Main Street lined with retail. The Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital provides plenty of jobs in the healthcare industry, and the city is also the headquarters for Stockman Bank.
Southeastern Montana’s natural recreation and parks
With the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers flowing through the area, Miles City has plenty of natural outdoor recreation. Pirogue Island State Park is a couple of miles down the Yellowstone River and provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching. The Strawberry Hill Recreation Area is about 9 miles east with hiking, rock climbing and camping. “People will do lots of fishing around here, and agate hunting,” Teig says. Miles City has over 61 acres of maintained green spaces and parks, including multiple playgrounds, an ice rink, a disc golf course and an outdoor swimming pool. Denton Fields is Montana’s oldest baseball field, home of several baseball leagues like MCYBA Babe Ruth Baseball and teams like the Mavericks. There’s also the Miles City Town & Country Club, which has a 9-hole golf course open to the public.
Denton Field is the perfect place to play tennis in Miles City.
Miles City has amazing walking trails throughout the city.
Yellowstone River offers amazing summertime swinging in Miles City.
Miles City has amazing walking trails throughout the whole city.
1/4
Exploring Western culture through rodeos and museums
Custer County’s Eastern Montana Fairgrounds sits directly west of the city and hosts numerous events. The Eastern Montana Fair in August has everything from carnival rides and livestock competitions to chuck-wagon races and a fireworks show. Additionally, Miles City is most known for its Bucking Horse Sale, which takes place the third weekend of May. “It’s a four-day event with a concert and street dancing, with multiple bands from around town,” Teig says. “They’re trying to get it more involved with the city and bring business to downtown.” Rodeo stock buyers and breeders can participate in bull riding and horse racing events at the fairgrounds. For year-round entertainment, Miles City has two prominent museums. The Range Rider Museum has multiple buildings filled with pioneer and Native American artifacts. There’s also the WaterWorks Art Museum, with its permanent and traveling exhibits.
Miles City's Custer County Fairgrounds has an amazing collection of horses.
Miles City is home to a variety of livestock that is used in local rodeos.
Range Riders Museum offers family fun on weekends in Miles City.
Range Rider Museum in Miles City has a display of old western carriages.
1/4
Commerce on Main Street and Haynes Avenue
Main Street’s Historic District is Miles City’s main commercial hub, with dozens of local retail and restaurants. There are antique shops, clothing stores and novelty shops selling everything from jewelry to western apparel. When it comes to food, Downtown has a selection of breakfast restaurants, casual American cafes, coffee shops and pizzerias. Nighttime entertainment can be found at multiple bars and taphouses, plus the two casinos on the strip. Another area for shopping and dining is the Haynes Avenue commercial corridor. There’s a regional grocery store, a Walmart Supercenter and several national retailers and car dealerships. Restaurants include coffee shops, international cuisine and fast-food options.
Miles City has amazing and unique stores like Antiques Cafe.
Antiques Cafe is one of the many unique stores in Miles City.
600 Cafe serves residents of Miles City with delicious diner style breakfast.
Miles City is marked by fun and unique stores like Antiques Cafe.
1/4
Gridded streets of single-family homes
Most of Miles City’s residential landscape consists of gridded streets with front lawns, alleyways and sidewalks. The median sales price for single-family homes is $545,000. Main Street’s Historic District has traditional bungalows and multi-story homes built in the early 1900s, while Westwood Estates has ranchers, manufactured homes and multi-story homes with farmhouse features constructed in the 1940s and 1950s. East of Haynes Avenue, there’s a newer neighborhood with split levels, modern farmhouses and New Traditional homes from the 1970s to 2000s.
Miles City is known for single family homes at affordable prices.
It's common to see quite and clean streets in Miles City.
Miles City is full of ranch style homes.
Miles City offers amazing housing at affordable prices.
1/4
Getting educated by Miles City public schools
The city is served by the Miles City Unified School District and its six schools. Of these, four are in the Miles City Elementary School District, which earns a C-plus grade on Niche. The other two schools are Washington Middle School and Custer County District High School – both also receive C-plus grades. Miles Community College enrolls roughly 600 students, with the option to live on campus. It is Eastern Montana’s largest provider of concurrent enrollment to high school students in the area.
Washington School serves students in Miles City with amazing teachers.
Miles City High School offers high quality education to students in Miles City.
Highland Park School is one of the many excellent schools serving Miles City residents.
Miles City High School provides safe grounds for students in Miles City.
1/4
Navigating Miles City’s commuter routes
Sidewalks lining the city’s streets encourage recreational strolls, but commuting requires a vehicle. Interstate 94 runs directly south of the city, with a branch cutting through the middle as Main Street, and heads west to Billings and east to Glendive. Drivers can also use Montana state Highway 59 to travel north to south. The Miles City-Custer County Transit program provides curb-to-curb transportation services using ADA-compliant vehicles for those who need it. Air travelers will have to head 148 miles to the Billings-Logan International Airport for commercial flights.
Drastic changes in temperature and crime reports
Miles City has four seasons, with an average winter low of 18 degrees and an average summer high of 83 degrees. Yellowstone River creates a minor flood risk, and the Miles City Fire & Rescue Department handles the area’s risk of potential wildfires. According to the Montana Board of Crime Control, from 2018 to 2023, Custer County reported a 40% decrease in violent crime offenses. The number of property crimes reported decreased 49% in the same 5-year span. In addition to its crime prevention services, the Miles City Police Department operates an animal control and 911 dispatch center.
Written By
Brittany Bell
Photography Contributed By
Teal Mandzik
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jason Mascari,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
21 acres with power in semi-remote setting located west of Miles City, MT. Property can be used for year round living or recreation with prime hunting and fishing nearby. Approx. 1/2 mile off the maintained county road with a great mix of terrain. Property has a potential build site that would give you amazing 360 degree views on top of the hill. From here you will be about 32 miles southwest of
Once an airplane hangar, this expansive space can effortlessly be transformed into a full-time residence complete with a spacious workshop with over 7900 square feet. This shop was recently remodeled in 2023 with spray foam insulation, insulated garage doors, steel roof and updated main electrical panel. Additionally, you will find another 4608 square foot hangar built in 2002 with drive through
117-acre partial 3/4 mile off of Moon Creek Rd South of Miles City MT. the property has rolling hills no trees, power 1000+/- feet from the property This partial has a well drilled the well is 180 ft and flows 4 gal a minute. Access to the property is on N 6 Mile Road. Property is fenced on the west and south sides. All survey pins have been located and are marked with orange surveyor's tape. The
Productive 138 acre farm located 8 miles northeast of Miles City, MT, featuring approximately 0.75 mile of Yellowstone River frontage. Property includes 113 acres of flood-irrigated cropland and 25 acres of grass, roads, ditches, and related improvements. Primary crops have included corn and alfalfa, with historical seed potato production. Corn silage yields average 25 "27 T/ac; earlage averages
Welcome to Log Creek Estates100 acres of pristine Montana land located just 7 miles south of Miles City with direct access off Highway 59. This property offers the perfect setting for your dream home or ranchette, complete with power on-site and room to grow. Log Creek meanders through the land, adding natural beauty and a seasonal water source for wildlife and livestock. With strong native
Located just south of the I-94 and HWY 59S intersection 11.773 acres of raw land that is commercial zoned for development. Comfort Inn motel, New Hunan restaurant and the new Cenex Ziptrip truck stop are adjacent to this property. Across the street is the Miles City Hotel and Suites, Bucking Horse Saloon and the Fairbridge Inn. Miles City development is moving south along HWY 59 S and this
Located on the banks of Yellowstone River and ideally situated between Miles City and Forsyth, Montana, the Oxbow on the Yellowstone is truly an Eastern Montana Sportsman's Paradise. This propery has ideal wetland and upland bird habitat, numerous coulees and foodplots, and over a mile of the Yellowstone River. The large rancher in the area that is splitting off some of his land is willing to
New subdivision in the country, 7+/- miles south of Miles City on the east side of Hwy 59S. Lot 1 will be 21+/- acres after a lot line adjustment is made with the neighboring property. Please review the proposed Lot 1 in the attached plat. This lot has a solar well. TRECO electricity is underground adjacent to each lot. Make this your country home location, close to the highway and 10 minutes to
Recreation and agriculture make the perfect match with this 1,703+/- acre property located on the north side of the Yellowstone River at Terry, Montana. Comprised of 652+/- deeded acres and 1,050+/- BLM acres, you'll enjoy awesome fishing on the 3 plus miles of Yellowstone River frontage, with almost 2.5 miles of that frontage on your deeded acreage. Split north and south by MT Hwy 253, you can
New subdivision in the country, 7+/- miles south of Miles City on the east side of Hwy 59S. TRECO electricity is underground adjacent to each lot. Make this your country home location, close to the highway and 10 minutes to Miles City MT.
New subdivision in the country, 7+/- miles south of Miles City on the east side of Hwy 59S. TRECO electricity is underground adjacent to each lot. Make this your country home location, close to the highway and 10 minutes to Miles City MT.
Three bedrooms, one bath on large lot with detached garage. The home was in the process of being remodeled and needs finished. Owner willing to carry Seller financing with good credit. The home will not go FHA or VA.
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.