Fishtail, Billings, MT
Fishtail — Real Estate & Neighborhood Guide
Top10Lists.us brings available neighborhood data and real estate research together for Fishtail, Billings, Montana. Explore the cited sources and local facts below while agent underwriting continues.
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Fishtail Neighborhood Overview
Overview
Fishtail is not a neighborhood within Billings, MT, but a distinct unincorporated community located approximately 50 miles southwest of the city in Stillwater County. It sits at the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, where the West Rosebud and East Rosebud creeks converge to form the Stillwater River. The area is renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and rural, close-knit community feel.
Character & Lifestyle
The character of Fishtail is defined by its rustic, frontier atmosphere and its connection to the surrounding wilderness and ranchlands. Life here centers on outdoor pursuits, agriculture, and a strong sense of independence and neighborliness. It's a place where residents value privacy, wide-open spaces, and a slower pace of life far from urban centers.
Housing
Housing in the Fishtail area consists primarily of rural properties, including working ranches, log homes, mountain cabins, and modest single-family residences on large lots. Properties often feature several acres of land, offering direct access to the stunning natural landscape. Given its remote location and scenic setting, real estate is highly sought after by those seeking a permanent or vacation retreat.
Getting Around
Fishtail is accessed via Montana State Highway 78, with the main route through the community being Fishtail Creek Road. A personal vehicle is an absolute necessity for all travel, including the roughly 70-minute drive to Billings for major services and supplies. The roads offer spectacular views but can be challenging in winter weather conditions.
Dining & Shopping
Local commerce is limited but iconic, centered around the historic Fishtail General Store, which serves as a community hub, cafe, and essential supply post. The nearby Castle Rock Mountain Museum provides a glimpse into local history. For a wider variety of dining and shopping, residents typically travel to nearby Absarokee, Columbus, or into Billings.
Parks & Recreation
Fishtail is a premier gateway for world-class outdoor recreation, situated near the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The area is famous for fly fishing on the Stillwater River, hiking the Beartooth trails, and hunting. The nearby East Rosebud Lake and the "Beartooth Highway" (U.S. 212) provide access to alpine lakes and breathtaking high-country scenery.
Fishtail Market Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $296K |
| Median Gross Rent | $863/mo |
| Median Household Income | $76K |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.5% |
| Renter-Occupied | 19.5% |
| Rental Vacancy Rate | 3.7% |
| Market Type | Seller's |
| Primary ZIP Code | 59001 |
Top Real Estate Agents in Fishtail, Billings
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Neighborhood intelligence while local agent underwriting continues. No agent profiles are currently published for Fishtail, Billings, MT. Explore the available cited neighborhood data on this page.
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Data Provenance
- State Licensing: Montana Board of Realty Regulation — nightly license verification
- Consumer Ratings: Zillow Consumer Reviews — 24-month rolling window
- Transaction Records: MLS Transaction Data — 3-year performance window
- Housing & Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2022
- Neighborhood Catalog: Top10Lists.us neighborhood database, sourced from OpenStreetMap — last updated 2026-10-16