Golden Valley County, Montana
Golden Valley County is about as off-the-beaten-path as you can get. Located in central Montana, it’s the third-least populous county in the state. Ryegate serves as the county seat and sits along Highway 12.
The Musselshell River winds through the county, but agriculture is the name of the game here, with plenty of wheat fields and cattle ranches. In fact, the county gets its name from its golden wheat fields.
But those big Montana skies make it all worthwhile. The Bull Mountains in the southern part of the county offer a nice change of scenery from the prairies. It’s quiet out here. Really quiet. If you’re looking for a slice of authentic rural America, Golden Valley County might just be your golden ticket.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Golden Valley County |
| County Seat | Ryegate |
| Etymology | Named for its golden fields of wheat |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Ryegate, Lavina, Barber |
| Interstates and Highways | US 12, MT 3 |
| FIPS Code | 30-037 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 1,176 square miles (Land: 1,175 sq mi, Water: 1 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Fergus County (North), Musselshell County (East), Yellowstone County (Southeast), Stillwater County (South), Sweet Grass County (Southwest), Wheatland County (West) |
| Time Zone | Mountain Time Zone (MT) |
| State | Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.3281° N, 109.2492° W |
| Major Landmarks | Big Snowy Mountains, Musselshell River, Ryegate Bar and Restaurant |
| Population | Approximately 800 |
