Situated about 16 miles from the ski town of Red Lodge, Belfry is a farming community that’s close to Red Lodge’s attractions while offering more affordable prices. “You’re out of the tourist hustle and bustle of Red Lodge,” says Linda Nygard, a Realtor with PureWest Christie’s who’s sold homes here for 8 years. “For anyone local wanting something they can afford, Belfry is a good alternative, and it’s just 15 minutes away.” Belfry is also closer to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, popular for fishing, and the Custer Gallatin National Forest is nearby. And being outside of the city offers more opportunities for buyers to find homes with acreage. “The majority of people moving here like the feeling of remoteness,” says Marcella Manuel, a luxury real estate professional with Coldwell Banker who’s sold homes in the area for 24 years. “There are opportunities for people to have a homestead and be completely self-sufficient.” Belfry's overall CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Early 20th-century homes in the center of town
In Belfry’s town center, several sidewalk-less blocks are lined with early 20th-century National Folk homes that feature front porches, steeply pitched roofs and wooden exteriors. Manufactured houses are also common. Homes sit on shaded lots of up to half an acre, and most residents park on gravel shoulders in front of their homes. On the edges of town, homes often have views of surrounding farmland, grassy hills and the Beartooth Mountains, while homes with multiple acres are found just outside of town. Houses in Belfry rarely come on the market, but according to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value here was around $300,000 in late 2024.
Belfry is where you can find national folk houses with updated renovations.
Manufactured homes can be found throughout Belfry.
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Hiking the Custer Gallatin National Forest
While there are no parks in Belfry, the surrounding landscape offers plenty of recreation. Fly fishing is popular at the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, which runs through the community. The 3 million-acre Custer Gallatin National Forest is nearby, offering miles of hiking trails through the Beartooth Mountains; the Lake Fork Trail is popular with both hikers and equestrians, leading to views of alpine lakes.
During Belfry’s snowy winters, skiers head to Red Lodge Mountain, a nearby skiing area with 70 runs; snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and skijoring — where a skier is pulled by a horse through an obstacle course — are also popular here. The scenic Beartooth Highway, which is only open from around Memorial Day to mid-October due to heavy snowfall in the Beartooth Mountains, leads to Yellowstone National Park, roughly 100 miles away.
Red Lodge Mountain is 30 minutes from Belfry.
Belfry is surrounded by Montana's natural beauty.
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Pickled eggs at Belfry Bar
Belfry Bar is one of two places to eat in town, and while they serve up classic bar food, they’re best known for their pickled eggs, which sit in a large jar on the bar top. Diners can also stop in at Silvertip Bar and Casino for burgers, pizzas and breakfast platters. There’s no grocery store in Belfry, something that Nygard says residents have to plan around; she says locals typically shop at the Family Dollar in Bridger, 12 miles away, or head 16 miles to Beartooth Market in Red Lodge. Red Lodge offers other shopping and dining options along its main thoroughfare, Broadway Avenue. “One of the restaurants that people love is called Bogarts,” Nygard says. “It serves Mexican, Italian, burgers and very good margaritas. It’s packed all the time.” National retailers like Walmart are 42 miles away in Laurel.
Belfry Bar features a pool table and slot machines.
Bogart’s, nearby Belfry, is known for their margaritas.
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Mime champions at Belfry Public School
Local kids can attend Belfry Public School, which serves kindergarten through Grade 12 and offers pre-kindergarten and after-school programs. Its elementary and high school programs both earn a C-plus from Niche. Students here can join the school’s Speech, Drama and Debate team, which won the district championship for mime in 2024.
Belfry Elementary School prepare students for their future.
Belfry School is home of the Bats.
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Along Routes 72 and 308
Route 308 leads about 16 miles to Red Lodge, and Route 72 leads roughly 49 miles to Cody, Wyoming, and 59 miles to Billings. With larger cities so far away and no public transportation or bike lanes, residents rely on their cars to get around. Beartooth Billings Clinic is about 18 miles away. Red Lodge Airport, a general aviation airport with no commercial flights, is 16 miles away, and Billings-Logan International Airport is a roughly 58-mile trip.
The Home of Champions Rodeo
The Red Lodge Rodeo has been around since the 1890s, and the Home of Champions Rodeo has been its premier event since the 1920s. Each year from July 2 through 4, crowds descend on Red Lodge for three days of parades and rodeo competitions in events like bull riding, steer wrestling and team roping.
Flooding possible near Bear Creek and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River
Homes near Bear Creek and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which is a FEMA-designated zone of high flood risk. Homeowners here may be required to purchase flood insurance. The last flood occurred in 2022 and closed several area roads.
Cold Montana winters often bring snow to Belfry, making some roads impassable. “We’re a small community, so it takes a lot to get all the miles of roads plowed,” Manuel says. “If you live in Belfry and work in Red Lodge, you better have a snowplow because the county might not have it plowed by the time you need to get to work.”
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.
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On average, homes in Belfry, Bearcreek sell after 90 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Belfry, Bearcreek over the last 12 months is $219,200, down 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$219,200
Median Single Family Price
$288,400
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$109
Last 12 months Home Sales
2
Median List Price
$325,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
9%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
24
Median Year Built
1932
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,728
Below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
268
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$79,545
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$87,897
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.2%
Advanced Degrees
9.5%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
8°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
