Mountain views and a close-knit community in Roberts
The snow-capped Beartooth Mountains serve as the backdrop for the one-horse town of Roberts, Montana. Amid the farmland and open space of Carbon County, the small community lies along the winding Rock Creek and is less than an hour from the stunning views and hiking trails along the Beartooth Highway. “It’s a very friendly and welcoming town,” says Dave Oxford, the owner of Lost Village Road House Saloon. “During hard times, people ban together to help one another. There was a fire that burnt down some houses here a few years back, and community members helped people who lost their homes rebuild.” Roberts dates back to the late 1800s when it was established as a stop along the North Pacific Railroad and was developed as an agricultural community. Today, the town is a stopping point for travelers on their way to Yellowstone and the Beartooth Range, with popular nearby fishing spots and a few local eateries.
Single-story homes with elbow room in Roberts
Ranch-style and manufactured homes line the few residential streets of Roberts, with quarter and half-acre lots near the center of town. Aspen and cottonwood trees dot front yards, and the lack of a homeowners association allows for back-lot workshops and RV parking. While homes rarely hit the market in Roberts, one 2,000-square-foot manufactured home sold in 2025 was last listed for $350,000. Listing prices near the center of town range from $200,000 to $400,000. South of town, the gated Western Ranch Estates neighborhood has higher-priced homes on multi-acre lots; though they rarely come on the market, one recently listed for $585,000.
Roberts has one public school serving all grade levels
The local school district, Roberts Public Schools, earns a C-minus grade from Niche. Roberts School is the district’s only school and serves kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The school operates on a four-day week and offers a variety of career-based courses in business and agriculture.
Small businesses and nearby shopping in Red Lodge
The town has a handful of small businesses, including The Chuckwagon, which offers baked goods, sandwiches and a limited selection of groceries. Lost Village Road House Saloon has been serving the area since 1930 with pub fare, pizza and nightly specials from Taco Tuesday to Wednesday steak night. “We’re one of the few businesses in town,” Oxford says. “It’s like the local gathering space.” The restaurant also has tap beer and signature cocktails, with karaoke every Friday night. Roberts Cafe serves egg skillets and blueberry pancakes for brunch and meatloaf and steak for dinner. Red Lodge is around 13 miles south of town and is home to a downtown business district and the Beartooth Market grocery store.
Carbon County recreation from fly fishing to hiking
A community park at the intersection of Second Street and Carbon Avenue has a playground and open field space. Rock Creek runs parallel to U.S. Highway 212, where anglers can fish for rainbow and brook trout. “The creek is accessible from multiple points across town,” Oxford says. “When the weather is nice, you’ll see locals having picnics by the water or fly fishing.” Cooney State Park is around 8 miles north of Roberts. The 308-acre park is a popular area for boating, fishing, camping and windsurfing, with its namesake reservoir lined by rocky beaches and waterfront campsites. Beartooth Mountain hiking trails are within a short drive of town, including the 7-mile moderate Basin Lakes Trail and the 6-mile Silver Run Trail.
Nearby towns along Highway 212
U.S. Highway 212 runs through Roberts and runs about 13 miles south to Red Lodge and 32 miles northeast to Laurel. Downtown Billings is around 45 miles northeast. For long-distance travel, Billings-Logan International Airport is around 50 miles northeast.
