Hays, MT

Tucked into the foothills of the Little Rocky Mountains, Hays is a small rural community on the southern end of the Fort Belknap Reservation in north-central Montana. The town is home to members of the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and Assiniboine (Nakoda) tribes, with local life centered around agriculture, ranching, and tribal services. It is a quiet, close-knit area where neighbors know one another and share close ties with the neighboring community of Lodge Pole.

The area's most recognized landmark is St. Paul's Mission, a historic site founded in 1887 that has served local families for generations. Daily life often revolves around the Hays-Lodge Pole schools, while the dramatic limestone walls of Mission Canyon and the surrounding pine-covered hills create a beautiful natural backdrop for outdoor exploration. Overall, Hays offers a deeply rooted sense of tribal heritage set against some of Montana's most scenic, peaceful country.