Roosevelt is a rural small town with access to the Uinta Mountains
Roosevelt is a small city of about 7,000 people in northeast Utah. Its small-town energy comes from a Main Street retail hub and local events, plus plenty of outdoor adventure in the Uinta Basin and, to the north, in the Uinta Mountains. “It’s for those that enjoy a more rural lifestyle, who like the outdoors and want to be close to recreation,” says broker Nathan Snow, owner of Century 21 Country Realty with more than 20 years of experience in the area. “I have my space and am able to be a few minutes away from the lake or mountains or any outdoor recreation that I want.” Although the community is technically within the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation, nearby Fort Duchesne — home of the Ute Indian Tribe headquarters — has a stronger pull for the tribe’s culture and events. Meanwhile, the oil industry can have a major effect on life in town. “It's definitely a unique market,” Snow says. “Sometimes it experiences some cyclical ups and downs with the oil-based industry. Currently, it’s been on an upward appreciation since 2019.”
Recreation at Ashley National Forest and Constitution Park
Constitution Park has a disc golf course, ballfields, a playground and tree-lined walking paths, while Roosevelt Golf Course has an 18-hole course open to the public. However, most residents get out of the city for outdoor recreation. “The Uinta Mountains are the most used resource for recreation,” Snow says. Ashley National Forest, about 30 miles north, is popular for camping and mountain hiking among wildlife like moose and bighorn sheep. “There are quite a few different reservoirs if you're into boating,” Snow says. About 30 miles west of Roosevelt, Starvation Reservoir State Park offers fishing and kayaking.
Bungalows, bi-levels and contemporary homes in Roosevelt
Central Roosevelt has grid-style streets full of homes from the early 1900s, including Cape Cods and bungalows. Many have simple landscaping, with an oak or a cottonwood tree but no garden bed. A number of midcentury ranch-style houses and bi-levels on the north side of the city come with mountain views, while the south and east sections of town feature suburban subdivisions with contemporary homes. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in Roosevelt was around $340,000 in the summer of 2025. Homes in the area stay on the market for 67 days on average, compared to the national average of 49 days. “There is a housing shortage,” Snow says. “We need more homes and more affordable housing. That’s the most important thing for our real estate.”
Main Street retail from Marion’s Variety to Davis Food & Drug
Roosevelt's retail center is a walkable Main Street district in the heart of the community. The local restaurants range from the relaxed breakfast spot Wild Sage Coffee House & Diner to High Country Pizza & Deli, which serves Italian American food in a casual setting. “One of the coolest businesses is Marion’s Variety, which has an old soda fountain like there was 80 years ago,” Snow says. This local favorite has a vintage malt shop vibe and is known for its shakes. The area also features shops like the gallery Cynthia Center Fine Arts and Marsen Furniture & Home in Roosevelt, which sells couches and more. A few blocks away, Davis Food & Drug has grocery shopping. Echo Drive-In, on the south side of the community, has double features throughout the summer. “There’s one of the only drive-in theaters in operation, and that’s always great,” Snow says.
Duchesne School District and higher education in Roosevelt
Duchesne School District receives a C-plus rating from Niche. It serves approximately 5,300 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 21-to-1. For higher education, Uintah Basin Technical College and Utah State University Uintah Basin are both on the east side of the community.
Events, including the Autumn Fest Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Roosevelt City Independence Day Celebration, hosted in Constitution Park, includes activities like a vendor market, food trucks and a fireworks display. In September, the Autumn Fest Hot Air Balloon Festival features live music and Balloon Glow, where attendees can see balloons lit up at night.
A 30-mile drive to Vernal and more transportation
Major employers in the area include Senergy Petroleum and Uintah Basin Medical Center. The community is about 30 miles from downtown Vernal, the largest city in Uinta County, and about 140 miles east of Salt Lake City. Ute Tribe Public Transit offers bus services. For commercial flights, Roosevelt is about 150 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport.
