Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET
Where is Colstrip Located? - Colstrip is a city located in the Rosebud County of Montana, United States. Colstrip lies between 42.7249282 Degrees North latitudes and 110.9318687 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Colstrip, Montana
Colstrip Map, Montana, USA
Where is Colstrip?: The Google Map showing the location of Colstrip in the U.S. state of Montana.
Where is Colstrip Located?
Colstrip is a city located in the Rosebud County of Montana, United States. Colstrip lies between 42.7249282 Degrees North latitudes and 110.9318687 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Colstrip city is 2096 people and the city has a total area of 4.05 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.
Transportation and Connectivity in Colstrip, Montana
Feature
Details
Airport Name
Colstrip Airport
IATA Code
M46 (FAA Identifier)
Port
None (landlocked)
Major Highways
Montana Highway 39, Montana Highway 25
Train/Amtrak Service
No passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station in Havre, Montana
Local Bus/Transit Service
Limited regional transportation services
Montana Highway 39 - Primary route connecting Colstrip with Interstate 94 at Forsyth.
Montana Highway 25 - Regional highway linking Colstrip with Hardin and southeastern Montana.
Power Plant Road - Local roadway serving the Colstrip energy complex.
Castle Rock Lake Road - Provides access to recreation areas and nearby neighborhoods.
Main Street - Connects residential, commercial, and civic facilities within the city.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Colstrip, Montana
Landmark Name
Type
Castle Rock Lake
Recreation Lake
Colstrip Golf Club
Golf Course
Colstrip City Park
Community Park
Big Sky Park
Recreation Park
Rosebud Battlefield State Park
Historic State Park
Custer National Forest (Ashland Ranger District)
National Forest
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
State Park
Forsyth Historic District
Historic District
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
Powder River Recreation Area
Outdoor Recreation Area
Colleges and Universities in Colstrip, Montana
Institution Name
Type
Level
Notable For
Miles Community College
Public
Community College
Academic transfer and technical education
Little Big Horn College
Tribal
College
Native American education and community programs
Montana State University Billings
Public
University
Business, education, and health sciences
Sheridan College
Public
Community College
Career and workforce training
University of Montana
Public
University
Research and graduate programs
Waterbodies in Colstrip, Montana
Castle Rock Lake, Lee Lake, Cooney Reservoir, Tongue River, Powder River, Rosebud Creek, Yellowstone River, Tongue River Reservoir, Bighorn River, Armells Creek
Golf Courses in Colstrip, Montana
Colstrip Golf Club, Exchange City Golf Club, Pine Hills Golf Club, Black Bull Golf Community, Lake Hills Golf Course, Pryor Creek Golf Club, Eagle Rock Golf Course, Kendrick Golf Course
Colstrip, Montana - Key Historical Facts
Colstrip was founded in 1924 as a company town to support coal mining operations in southeastern Montana.
The city's name comes from the practice of stripping away overburden during surface coal mining.
Mining activity slowed during the mid-20th century but expanded again in the 1970s with the construction of large coal-fired power plants.
The Colstrip energy complex became one of the largest electricity-generating facilities in the northwestern United States.
Coal mining and power generation have remained central to the local economy, while the community has also developed parks and recreational amenities.
Today, Colstrip is recognized for its energy industry, outdoor recreation opportunities, and access to the scenic landscapes of southeastern Montana.
