The man who told America “Good night, David” from the NBC desk once sat in a one-room school on the edge of a Hi-Line town of about 160 people, and the school is still standing.
TL;DR
- Saco is a small Phillips County town on US-2 with a 2020 population of 159, about 28 miles east of Malta, and it is a stop on the Hi-Line, not a destination town with a visitor center.
- Its best-known sights are the one-room Chet Huntley schoolhouse, Sleeping Buffalo Rock (a sacred site on the National Register of Historic Places), Nelson Reservoir for walleye fishing, and the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs resort, which has been listed for sale since fall 2025.
- Saco Fun Days on Labor Day weekend is the town’s big annual gathering, with a parade, a free barbecue and a demolition derby.
- Lodging in town is minimal. Most visitors sleep in Malta or at the hot springs, and should confirm that any hot springs lodging is operating before they go.
- Several details repeated online are uncertain or out of date, including the town’s population and the hot springs’ status, and this guide flags each one.
Liked this article?
Add Roaming Montana as a preferred source so you see more of our articles and guides on Google.
A Short Stop That Rewards a Slow Look
Saco is easy to miss at highway speed. US-2 runs along the town’s southern edge, a few grain bins and old brick storefronts flash by, and the Milk River valley opens out again toward Malta or Glasgow. Visitors who slow down find a surprisingly dense set of stories for a place with fewer than two hundred residents.
Three of them carry most of the weight. One is a famous broadcaster’s boyhood classroom. Another is a pair of carved boulders that many Native nations consider sacred. The third is a hot springs resort that locals have treated as a regional landmark for generations and that, as of its most recent listing, is for sale. A reservoir full of walleye and a Labor Day celebration with roots in the 1960s round out the picture.
This guide is built around those pieces, with the facts that matter for planning: where things are, what is open, what is uncertain, and how to visit sacred and historic sites with care. Saco is part of the Missouri River Country region of Northeast Montana and appears in the Montana cities and towns directory alongside its neighbors on the Hi-Line.
How Saco Got Its Name and Lost Its Crowd
Missouri River Country places Saco in the heart of the Milk River Valley and says its post office was established in 1892 and the town incorporated in 1918. The same page says Saco once counted 1,500 or more residents and supported many businesses, and that some original buildings remain. The 2020 Census counted 159 people, which explains the empty storefronts a visitor will notice.
The name has two competing explanations. One account says railroad officials could not agree on a name, spun a globe and landed on Saco, Maine. Another says the name is a contraction of Sacagawea. Wikipedia presents both, and neither is documented well enough to settle the question, so the honest answer is that the origin is uncertain.
The Railroad Years
Railroad officials named many stops along the Hi-Line, and Saco belongs to that pattern of towns that appeared where the Great Northern Railway wanted a siding, a water stop or a grain loading point. When homesteaders filled the Milk River country in the early twentieth century, towns like Saco swelled. When dry years, farm consolidation and truck traffic arrived, they thinned out again. The pattern is common across the Hi-Line, and Saco’s version is visible in its architecture.
A Hamburger for the Record Books
In 1999, Saco was credited with a Guinness record for a 6,040-pound hamburger made from the beef of 17 cattle. Wikipedia notes that the record stood for two years. The stunt says something about the town’s character: a few hundred people with a lot of ranch beef and a sense of humor.
Chet Huntley’s Saco
Saco’s strongest tie to national history is Chester “Chet” Huntley. He was born December 10, 1911, in Cardwell, Montana, where his father worked as a telegraph operator for the Northern Pacific Railway. The railroad’s seniority system moved the family often, and Wikipedia lists Saco among several Montana towns where Huntley lived as a child, along with Willow Creek, Logan, Big Timber, Norris, Whitehall and Three Forks.
From Montana Classrooms to the NBC Desk
Huntley graduated from Whitehall High School and attended Montana State College in Bozeman. He later co-anchored NBC’s The Huntley-Brinkley Report with David Brinkley, a broadcast that began in October 1956 and ended with Huntley’s last NBC News appearance on July 31, 1970. He then returned to Montana to build the Big Sky ski resort south of Bozeman. The resort opened in December 1973, three days after his death on March 20, 1974, according to Wikipedia. Readers following his path can pair this stop with the guides to Whitehall, Three Forks, Big Timber and Big Sky, and with the list of famous people from Montana.
The Schoolhouse Today
Roadside America describes the one-room schoolhouse at 118 2nd Street, on the east edge of town on the north side of US-2. A bulletin board of photos and memorabilia sits by the front door. Inside, a reconstructed early twentieth-century Great Plains classroom, with a pot-bellied stove, a chalkboard and small desks, is viewed through a hurricane-fence cage. Admission is free, and the site says visitors can walk in if the door is open.
That description comes from a visitor report dated 2005, so current access is uncertain. Missouri River Country lists the Saco Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at 207 Taylor, inside Will’s Antiques, at 406-527-3434, and the chamber is the best first call. Sources differ on whether the schoolhouse works as a formal museum, so plan on a short stop of ten or fifteen minutes, not an afternoon.
The claim that the Saco Garden Club moved and restored the building in 1961, which appears on some pages, could not be confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Sleeping Buffalo Rock: A Sacred Site Beside the Highway
The most important stop near Saco is also the one that most needs care. Sleeping Buffalo Rock sits at the junction of US-2 and Montana Highway 243 under a wooden shelter, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, added on May 17, 1996.
Two Stones, One Story
Wikipedia describes two rock formations: a smaller stone carved to resemble a buffalo, called Buffalo Rock or the Sleeping Buffalo, and a larger stone with carved symbols and designs, called Medicine Rock. Glaciers reportedly carried the stones to a ridge above Cree Crossing on the Milk River, where prehistoric peoples covered them with petroglyphs. The listing says many tribes, including the Cree, Chippewa, Sioux, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Blackfeet, Crow and Northern Cheyenne, regard the rocks as sacred.
Why the Rocks Have Moved
The history of the stones is also a history of removal. In 1932, the Sleeping Buffalo was separated from the other rocks and taken to City Park in Malta. In 1967, the highway department moved it from old Highway 2 to its present site. Medicine Rock was left unprotected along the highway until 1987, when the hot springs owners asked the highway department for permission to shelter it, and the two were rejoined.
Many Native people opposed the moves, and tradition holds that the rock was restless in Malta. Missouri River Country mentions a legend that touching the stone brought good fortune in hunting and battle, but the stone’s value to living communities is far greater than a roadside curiosity, and visitors should not treat it as one.
How to Visit Respectfully
- Visitors leave offerings such as cloth, tobacco, sage, juniper and braided sweetgrass, and pray for guidance, safe travel and strength. Do not move, take or disturb offerings.
- Do not climb on the stones, chip them or rub objects against them.
- Keep voices low, and ask before photographing anyone who is praying.
- Pick up litter if any is present, and report vandalism to local authorities.
- Pull fully off the highway, since the junction has fast traffic.
Wikipedia notes the site’s exposure to vandalism, litter, weather and animals, which is part of why quiet, careful visits matter. For other sacred and cultural places in the region, see the guide to Poplar, the headquarters of the Fort Peck Tribes.
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs: A Landmark in Transition
About 10 miles west of Saco, on Highway 243 near the rock, sits Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs at 669 Buffalo Trail. Wikipedia’s entry for the surrounding community places it about 1.5 miles north of the rock, roughly 10 miles from Saco and 18 miles from Malta, at an elevation of 2,241 feet, with 12 residents counted in 2020.
A Century of Soaking
A real estate listing for the property says the resort began more than a century ago when an oil drilling crew struck naturally heated mineral water instead of oil. Local history, the same listing says, includes a family that used the water to help a child with polio, though that account is a sales description, not a documented history.
What the Resort Offers
According to a 2025 report and a current sale listing, the property includes:
- an indoor mineral pool of 60 by 80 feet and an outdoor pool of 128 by 60 feet, with an outdoor hot tub added in 2025
- a hot soaking pool, a cold plunge and a sauna
- three hotel-style rooms and five restored cabins
- a 31-site RV park with full hookups
- the Buffalo Saloon and 54 Prime Steakhouse, built in 2023
The listing gives water temperatures of 106 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit from an artesian well drilled in 2021, in a non-chlorinated, flow-through system. A former golf course on the property is no longer in operation.
For Sale, Not Closed
Montana Talks reported in October 2025 that the resort was listed at more than $10 million, reduced from $15 million to $10.7 million, and that the saloon and steakhouse were open. A later listing shows an asking price of $9.7 million. None of the sources reviewed confirm that the pools, cabins or RV park are currently open to the public. Call 406-527-3320 before planning a trip around a soak.
For other options, see the guides to Montana hot springs and the best natural hot springs in Montana.
Nelson Reservoir and the Walleye Bite
North of town, Nelson Reservoir is the area’s main outdoor draw. Wikipedia says the reservoir sits northeast of Malta and northwest of Saco, on a dammed section of the Milk River. It was built in 1914 and 1915, enlarged in 1921 and 1922, and named for H.H. Nelson, who organized the Milk River Water User’s Association.
Size and Fishing
The Bureau of Reclamation lists 4,320 surface acres and 30 miles of shoreline. Wikipedia gives an average depth of 19 feet and a maximum of 47 feet. Walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are the main species, and Wikipedia reports annual stocking of 100,000 walleye, with both open-water and ice fishing. Check Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations before fishing.
Camping and Facilities
The Bureau of Reclamation lists one campground with nine sites, no hookups and no showers, one concrete boat ramp, three picnic areas with 16 tables and two shelters, and toilets. It lists no swimming beaches or concessions and shows no fees. Reclamation’s Chester office handles questions at 406-759-5077. For other options in the region, see the guides to Fort Peck Lake and the best lakes in Montana.
Saco Fun Days
Saco’s big event is Fun Days, held over Labor Day weekend. A 2014 listing says the celebration began in 1963, when early chamber of commerce members created it to promote the town and the surrounding area.
What Happens
A past schedule shows a pork barbecue and dancing on Friday, a parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, a free beef barbecue, an art and craft show, a pie social, kids’ games and a mud bog. Sunday has a softball tournament. Missouri River Country mentions a demolition derby and a craft and flower show. A 2015 newspaper report said the parade ran along Highway 2 with firefighters, EMTs, schoolchildren and musicians.
Schedules shift from year to year, so check with the chamber at 406-527-3434 before building a trip around a specific event. The weekend also brings out visitors from across Phillips and Valley counties, so book rooms early.
The Larb Hills and the Milk River Valley
Missouri River Country says the Larb Hills lie south of town and offer interesting country to explore. The hills are open ranch country with few formal trails or services, and the sources reviewed give no hiking routes. Anyone heading into them should stay on public roads, respect private land and gates, and check conditions locally.
For birdwatchers, the larger refuge country near Malta is a better bet. The Malta guide covers the area’s wildlife, and the Montana wildlife refuges and Montana birding tours pages cover the wider region.
Eating, Drinking and Sleeping
The listings for Saco are short, and that is part of the town’s character.
- 54 Prime Steakhouse (655 Buffalo Trail, 406-527-3223): at the Sleeping Buffalo resort.
- Rebar Saloon (203 Taylor Street, 406-527-3500): a town bar.
- Sleeping Buffalo Saloon and Casino (669 Buffalo Trail, 406-527-3320): at the resort.
For lodging, Missouri River Country lists the Saco Motel at 207 Taylor, 406-527-3261, and Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs. Because the options are few, most visitors base in Malta or Glasgow. Campers should see the best RV parks in Montana and the Montana hidden-gem RV parks guides. Hours change often in small towns, so call ahead.
Getting to Saco
US-2 carries nearly everyone to Saco, and a car is the practical option.
Direction and Distance
Malta lies to the west. Wikipedia places the nearest Amtrak station in Malta, 28 miles west of Saco, and the Empire Builder is the only passenger rail option. Glasgow is farther east, and its airport has seen commercial service in the past. See the Montana airports and Montana train stations pages for planning.
| Destination | Distance from Saco | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Malta | about 28 miles west | Amtrak station, county seat |
| Sleeping Buffalo Rock | about 10 to 13 miles west | Junction of US-2 and MT-243 |
| Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs | about 10 miles west | 1.5 miles north of the rock |
| Nelson Reservoir | northwest of town | Verify exact road distance |
| Glasgow | roughly 50 miles east | Verify drive time |
Distances are approximate. Confirm with a current map before driving.
Seasons in the Milk River Valley
Saco has a semi-arid climate. Wikipedia lists a record high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a record low of minus 51, a mean July daily high of about 83 degrees, and average annual precipitation of about 13 inches, with June the wettest month. Plan for hot days, cold nights and constant wind. See the Montana weather page for broader context.
Spring. Ice-out and early walleye fishing at Nelson Reservoir, muddy back roads, and returning migratory birds.
Summer. The easiest travel season. Warm days suit the reservoir and a roadside stop at the rock, while the Montana bug season guide covers mosquitoes near water.
Fall. Labor Day brings Fun Days, and cooler weather suits hunting and quiet drives. See Montana in September.
Winter. Cold, short days and ice fishing, with reduced services. Read the Montana winter driving guide before a cold-season trip.
A Sample Day from Malta to Saco and Back
A day built around Saco works best when it starts in Malta, where lodging and breakfast are easier to find. Drive east on US-2 and make the first stop at Sleeping Buffalo Rock, about 15 miles east of Malta according to Missouri River Country. Plan on twenty quiet minutes there.
Continue to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs for lunch at the steakhouse or a soak if the pools are open, after calling ahead. Then drive on into Saco to find the Huntley schoolhouse on 2nd Street and say hello at the chamber, if it is staffed.
With the afternoon left, point the vehicle north to Nelson Reservoir for a few hours of fishing or picnicking. Back in town, the Rebar Saloon is the obvious place to end the day, and the drive back west to Malta takes about half an hour. On Labor Day weekend, the same route stretches into a full day of parade, barbecue and dancing.
What Visitors Wish They Knew
- Malta is west, not east. Saco sits east of Malta, and the two are about 28 miles apart.
- Call before the soak. The hot springs have been listed for sale, and pool and lodging status is not confirmed.
- The rock is sacred. Do not touch offerings, climb or carve.
- Chet Huntley did not grow up only in Saco. The family moved among many railroad towns.
- Distances differ by source. The rock is about 10 miles from Saco per Wikipedia and about 15 miles from Malta per Missouri River Country, so confirm with a map.
- Services are thin. Fill the tank in Malta and carry water.
- Wind is constant. Layers and a windproof shell help even in summer.
- Fun Days dates move. Check the chamber before booking.
Practical Info Box
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Missouri River Country, Northeast Montana |
| County | Phillips County (county seat: Malta) |
| Population | 159 (2020 Census) |
| Elevation | About 2,182 feet |
| Best seasons | June to September; Labor Day weekend for Fun Days |
| Getting there | US-2; nearest Amtrak in Malta |
| Chamber | 207 Taylor Street, 406-527-3434 |
| Huntley schoolhouse | 118 2nd Street; free; access varies |
| Sleeping Buffalo Rock | US-2 and MT-243; NRHP 1996 |
| Hot springs | 669 Buffalo Trail; 406-527-3320; for sale |
| Nelson Reservoir | Bureau of Reclamation; 406-759-5077 |
| What to bring | Layers, bug spray, fishing license, cash, patience |
| Nearby | Malta, Glasgow, Bowdoin refuge country |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Saco, Montana known for?
Chet Huntley’s boyhood schoolhouse, Sleeping Buffalo Rock, Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs and Labor Day Fun Days.
How many people live in Saco?
The 2020 Census counted 159 residents.
Is Sleeping Buffalo Rock open to visitors?
It is a roadside site beside US-2 and is open to visitors, who are asked to behave as they would at any sacred place.
Are the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs open?
The resort has been listed for sale, and sources confirm the saloon and steakhouse as open in late 2025. Call 406-527-3320 to confirm pools and lodging.
How far is Saco from Malta?
About 28 miles, with Malta to the west.
Can visitors fish at Nelson Reservoir?
Yes. Walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are the main species, and state rules apply.
Plan With Official Sources
- Missouri River Country: Saco
- Missouri River Country: Saco Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
- Bureau of Reclamation: Nelson Reservoir recreation
Conclusion
Saco asks very little of a traveler and gives back a good deal. A broadcaster’s schoolroom, a sacred stone with a complicated past, steaming water in the middle of the prairie and a lake full of walleye all sit within a short drive on one stretch of US-2.
Pin this guide for the next Hi-Line trip, then explore the rest of the Missouri River Country region and the full Montana cities and towns directory. Questions about Saco go in the comments.
