Hill County Montana

Hill County was named after entrepreneur James Hill who brought the railroad through the northern area of the county. Havre, the county seat, became a major railroad service center. Freight and passenger rail service are still an integral part of Havre’s economy along with agriculture. The county borders Canada to the north. Two border crossings, one entering Alberta, one entering Saskatchewan, make travel to the area convenient. US Hwy 2, US Hwy 87 and Amtrak also bring travelers to the area.

Hill County’s terrain is a combination of rolling plains and the Bear Paw Mountains, an island range in the southern part of the county. The Milk River enters Hill County from Alberta. An earth-filled dam on the Milk River creates Fresno Reservoir which is used for irrigation and recreation.

Recreation areas in the county include Beaver Creek County Park south of Havre, Fresno Reservoir between Havre and Kremlin, and Bear Paw Ski Bowl on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. The county has prime fishing and upland game bird hunting habitat.