| Otter | |
| Settlement Type: | Unincorporated community |
| Pushpin Map: | USA Montana |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of Montana |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Montana |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Population As Of: | 2000 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | Mountain (MST) |
| Utc Offset: | -7 |
| Timezone Dst: | MDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -6 |
| Elevation Ft: | 3484 |
| Coordinates: | 45.2078°N -106.2017°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP codes |
| Postal Code: | 59062 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 788508 |
Otter is an unincorporated community in southwestern Powder River County, Montana, United States, in the Custer National Forest. It lies along local roads southwest of the town of Broadus, the county seat of Powder River County.[1] Its elevation is 3,484 feet (1,062 m). Although Otter is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 59062.[2]
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Otter has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[3]
The Community of Otter was named for Otter Creek. The town post office (opened in 1895) is located within a mile of its head.[4] Otter Creek was named by fur traders and trappers in the early days of Montana's history. In 1897, area cattle rancher Levi Howes established the civilian redoubt Fort Howes in response to an anticipated attack by the Northern Cheyenne. In 1900, a sheep raid led by future Wyoming Governor and US Senator John B. Kendrick resulted in over 2,000 sheep being killed. Kendrick's participation in the raid was unconfirmed until 1974.[5]