Froid - Scenic View

Froid

The Gem of the Prairie

Quick Facts
Population
180
County
Roosevelt County
Region
Eastern Montana
Elevation
2,024 ft
Top Industry
Transportation
Nearest Hospital
Roosevelt Memorial Medical Center (13 mi)
Zip Code
59226
Area Code
406
Time Zone
Mountain Time (MT)
Industry: Census ACS 5-Year 2019–2023 · Hospital: MT DPHHS 2024
Current Weather
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Airport Distances

Nearest Major Airports

🛩️ Sidney (SDY)
55 miles
~1h 9m drive
🛩️ Wolf Point (OLF)
63 miles
~1h 17m drive
🛩️ Glendive (GDV)
101 miles
~1h 55m drive

Map & Nearby

Explore Froid on the interactive map with 3 nearby towns and 6 highlighted recreation sites. Use the zoom controls or select a recreation item to focus it on the map.

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Outdoor Recreation Near Froid

Outdoor Recreation Near Froid

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5.7/10
Good
12 sites within 30 mi
6 categories

Distances are straight-line estimates. Driving distances may be longer. Data: OpenStreetMap contributors & editorial research.

History & Heritage

History & Heritage

Froid is a small, remote agricultural community located on the sweeping plains of northeastern Montana, an area often referred to as "Missouri River Country." The town was established during the homesteading boom in the early 20th century, closely following the expansion of the Great Northern Railway branch lines which were built to transport the region's massive grain harvests. The town's unique name, "Froid" (the French word for cold), is often jokingly attributed by locals to the harsh, freezing winters that sweep across the unprotected high plains. Despite a declining population over the past few decades due to the mechanization and consolidation of modern farming, Froid remains a resilient community proud of its pioneer roots.

Official historic markers tied to Froid in our statewide dataset. Expand the list to read inscriptions and follow links to full pages or deep reads where available. Browse Roosevelt County on the map · History trails

No markers are matched to Froid in our dataset yet. Use the map below to explore nearby markers by county, or open the full explorer.

Historic markers map

Open the interactive map filtered to Froid. The view zooms to the markers for this community.

Open map zoomed to Froid

Events & Festivals in Froid

We do not have featured local listings for Froid yet.

Montana statewide events & festivals calendar

Browse the statewide calendar for festivals, fairs, rodeos, and concerts across Montana.

View all Montana events · Where to stay in Froid

Quick Facts

  • Population: ~180
  • County: Roosevelt County
  • Elevation: 2,031 ft (619 m)
  • Known For: Agricultural heritage and proximity to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Top Things to Do in Froid

  • Visit Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge: This is the premier attraction in the immediate area. Located just a few miles from Froid, this massive prairie wetland complex is a spectacular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. During the summer, the refuge hosts thousands of migrating waterfowl, including great blue herons, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, and numerous duck species.
  • Experience the High Plains: Froid offers an authentic, unfiltered look at rural Montana agriculture. Taking a scenic drive during the late summer harvest reveals massive wheat fields stretching to the horizon beneath enormous skies.
  • Hunting: The surrounding agricultural lands and prairie potholes provide excellent opportunities for hunting upland game birds and waterfowl during the fall seasons.

Local Industry & Economy

The economy of Froid is entirely based on agriculture. The town sits amidst highly productive dryland farming country, primarily dedicated to growing high-quality spring and winter wheat, barley, and pulse crops (like lentils and peas). Cattle ranching also plays a role in the local economy. Because the population is so small, commercial businesses are scarce. Froid serves as a hyper-local hub for grain storage and basic agricultural services, while residents travel to nearby larger towns for groceries, medical care, and retail.

Getting There & Nearby Destinations

  • Getting There: Froid is located in northeastern Montana, situated on Montana Highway 16. It is about 15 miles north of Culbertson (and U.S. Highway 2) and roughly 25 miles south of Medicine Lake.
  • Nearby Destinations:
    • Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Located just to the north, offering world-class birdwatching and photography.
    • Culbertson, Montana: Located to the south on the Hi-Line, offering additional services and dining.
    • Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site: Located to the southeast near the North Dakota border, providing a fascinating look into the 19th-century fur trade.
    • Sidney, Montana: Located further south, serving as the major commercial and medical hub for the region.

Where to Stay in Froid

Due to its very small size, there are no commercial lodging facilities (hotels or motels) located within Froid itself.

  • Culbertson (15 miles South): The most convenient lodging for visitors is in Culbertson, which offers several comfortable motels and RV parks right along the Highway 2 corridor.
  • Medicine Lake (25 miles North): There are limited lodging and camping options available in the town of Medicine Lake, catering mostly to hunters and refuge visitors.
  • Sidney: For a wider array of major hotel chains and dining options, travelers often base themselves in Sidney and explore Froid and the wildlife refuge as a day trip.

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Froid Climate

Average Monthly Climate: Froid

MonthAvg HighAvg LowPrecipSnow
Jan27°F11°F0.5"1.2"
Feb24°F4°F0.6"1.6"
Mar38°F18°F0.5"1.2"
Apr50°F29°F1.5"2.8"
May65°F43°F2.2"0.2"
Jun77°F56°F2.7"0"
Jul83°F61°F1.5"0"
Aug82°F60°F0.9"0"
Sep73°F51°F1.8"0"
Oct52°F35°F1.3"1.5"
Nov38°F22°F0.8"1.5"
Dec28°F12°F0.7"1.9"
Housing & Economy

Housing & Cost of Living

$85,000
Median Home Value
$70,750
Median Household Income
National Rankings
Home Value13th percentile
Income58th percentile
Affordability Ratio (home price ÷ income)1.2xAffordable
Percentile among ~21,000 U.S. cities. Higher = more expensive (home/rent) or higher earning (income).
Housing Availability
126
Total Housing Units
42.9%
Vacancy Rate
Employment & Economy
ACS 5-Year 2019–2023
1.7%
Unemployment Rate
MT avg: ~3.5%
77%
Labor Force Participation
115
Employed Residents
Top Industries
Transportation
29.6%
Education & Healthcare
29.6%
Agriculture & Mining
13%
Income, home values,, vacancy,, employment, industry, from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2019–2023. Data may not reflect current conditions. Check Zillow for the latest market data.
Schools
🏫
Froid Public Schools
~70 students
Froid in Rankings & Guides
Compare Froid with Another Town
View Froid in the site graph

Explore Nearby Destinations

Medicine LakeCulbertsonBainville

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