Mesa Vista Ranch comprises over 100 square miles of prime Eastern Texas Panhandle ranch land and represents almost 50 years of Boone Pickens’ assemblage, improvement, and devotion. The Canadian River itself generally forms the north boundary of the ranch for approximately 25 miles. Knowing the Mesa Vista Ranch had a valuable water resource, Boone made the decision to enhance surface water on the property by constructing a series of man-made streams and lakes that create an unmatched oasis in the Texas Panhandle. In an effort to enhance wildlife on the property, Boone was a leader in cutting-edge conservation practices that are now followed by many other sportsmen in the country. Boone often stated that the Mesa Vista Ranch offers the “world’s best quail hunting.” As his love for the ranch grew, so did its many amenities. The Lodge Compound is a multi-structure improvement site that is set in a manicured, tree covered park-like setting and designed to house large groups for entertaining or business functions. Approximately six miles to the southwest, Boone’s Lake House contains over 11,500 square feet of living space with balconies and porch areas overlooking astonishing water features and manicured landscaping. The sale of the Mesa Vista Ranch is basically “turnkey,” including all rolling stock, equipment, pickup trucks, hunting vehicles, farming equipment, furnishings, bird dogs, etc. The only exclusions are Boone’s personal effects, livestock, and remaining art collection. The art is available to be purchased separately. To our knowledge, no other ranch can replicate Mesa Vista Ranch.
Offered jointly and exclusively with Chas. S. Middleton and Son.
As Boone expanded his holdings, his focus always remained centered along the Canadian River. Today, the Mesa Vista Ranch stretches approximately 25 miles along the south side of the Canadian River. This lush river bottom land creates the centerpiece for the property, but the ranch features an unmatched variety of land types ranging from rolling sand hills to elevated ridges, mesa points and gently rolling open prairie lands. The river bottom and numerous major drainages support abundant massive cottonwood trees, as well as willows, hackberry trees and others. Much of the river bottom is sub-irrigated and suitable for native hay production. Live spring water is found throughout several of the major drainages.
Overall, elevations on the Mesa Vista Ranch range from approximately 2,400 feet in the river bottom country to approximately 2,900 feet on the elevated mesa tops.
Boone often states that the Mesa Vista Ranch offers the “world’s best quail hunting.” In an effort to enhance wildlife on the property, over the years Boone has been a leader in conservation practices that are now followed by many other sportsmen in the country. As a testament to Boone’s conservation efforts, in 2008 he was named the recipient of the prestigious Park Cities Quail Unlimited Lifetime Sportsman Award.
Boone historically maintained a small cow herd on the ranch, but many areas of the property, especially those areas with attractive recreational features, have not been grazed in 20+ or more years. These areas of the ranch are devoted exclusively to wildlife enhancement. Boone placed over 1,000 quail feeders and numerous deer feeders on the ranch. He has created a number of food plot areas and added a network of buried waterlines with small water outlets to create wet areas for quail.
The Boone Pickens’ Mesa Vista Ranch represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a vast and pristine, turn-key recreational ranch with virtually unlimited potential. It seems impossible to comprehend all of the improvements made to this property, whether it is structural improvements, water enhancements, landscaping, wildlife conservation features, or others.
To our knowledge, no other ranch can replicate Mesa Vista Ranch. Naturally beautiful and productive, Boone spent nearly 50 years transforming this Texas Panhandle Ranch into a wildlife paradise with spectacular water features and improvements. The ranch is basically “turnkey,” including all rolling stock, equipment, pick-up trucks, hunting vehicles, farming equipment, furnishings, bird dogs, etc. The only exclusions are personal effects, livestock, and the remaining art collection. The livestock are available to be purchased and the remaining hanging art can be negotiated with the purchase.
Very devoted, generally long-term employees are in place on the ranch, and these employees are interested in staying and continuing on with the new ownership.
“You do everything to make the land perfect, hoping the next owner has the same passion.” – T. Boone Pickens
Qualified parties and their agents are encouraged to contact Sam Middleton or Monte Lyons, exclusive co-listing agents, to learn more about the ranch and the registration process.
The Mesa Vista Ranch is located in Roberts County in the Eastern Texas Panhandle. The ranch is located about 30 miles north of Pampa, Texas, and approximately 85 miles northeast of Amarillo.
In 1971, Boone purchased approximately 2,900 acres along the south side of the Canadian River in Roberts County, Texas. The only structural improvement on this property was a small, corrugated metal livestock feed house, which Boone used as a shelter to stay warm while he was quail hunting.
Soon after purchasing the original 2,900± acres in 1971, Boone realized the importance and value of the Canadian River bottom with respect to wildlife habitat. This productive bottomland offered not only abundant natural water resources for wildlife, but also desirable habitat and cover.
Over the years, Boone began to assemble additional adjoining land positioned along the Canadian River corridor, and today the Mesa Vista Ranch comprises over 100 square miles of prime Eastern Texas Panhandle ranch land.
As Boone’s assemblage continued, he spent millions and millions of dollars to make Mesa Vista one of the best improved ranches in the United States. He used cutting-edge conservation practices to enhance the wildlife on the property.
Boone proudly boasted that the Mesa Vista Ranch has, “the world’s best quail hunting.”
Additional Links
Covey Rise
2016 "Legends of Quail"
Mesa Vista Ranch
A New Beginning for Mesa Vista Ranch
LODGE COMPOUND
The Lodge, along with multiple support structures, is located in a manicured, tree covered “park-like” setting. It is common to view whitetail deer and turkey in the mornings and afternoons, with turkey roosting in the trees in the late evening. This Lodge Compound has been the major gathering area for Boone’s family and guests over the years. It has served an important role as a place where corporate heads have met to discuss and craft multi-million-dollar business transactions, and politicians and large donors have gathered for political events. Few, if any, facilities can match the beauty of the Lodge Compound.
Initial construction on the Lodge began in 1988, with numerous updates and additions added over the years. Presently, the Lodge itself comprises in excess of 25,000 square feet with an additional approximately 10,000 square feet of porches and patio areas. The Lodge features an elaborate master bedroom and master bath, large dining room with massive fireplace, living/great room with two fireplaces, library with spiral staircase, conference room, thirty seat theater/media room, wine cellar, office, commercial kitchen, smaller dining area, and large basement area with a free standing spiral staircase.
Surrounding the Lodge is significant landscaping, in-ground sprinkler systems, and underground electrical service. Adding to the ambiance of the Lodge are numerous bronze sculptures tastefully positioned on the grounds. In addition to the Lodge and support structures, the compound features a lighted tennis court, a skeet/trap range, and a small golf course with two fairways and greens and nine tee boxes.
The Family House, which was completed in 2009, is located west of the Main Lodge. This house is a two-story with a third floor lounging and viewing room. The Family House contains over 6,000 square feet of living area and approximately 2,500 square feet of porches and patios. It has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, living area with fireplace, state-of-the-art kitchen and more. Interior finish includes hardwood oak flooring with accent oak beams.
The Pub is located north of the Family House and is a two-story structure containing approximately 2,250 square feet of air-conditioned area. This structure was built in 2005 and features a game room, bathroom, kitchenette, and workout area, all located downstairs. The loft has two sleeping areas and a game room. The interior is rustic with stained concrete floor, fir walls and ceiling, and a rock fireplace.
The Gun Room is a freestanding, single-story structure containing over 400 square feet. This building was constructed in 2005 and features a lounge area, bathroom, and kitchenette. It is a wood frame structure with concrete slab foundation, pre-fabricated steel panel roof and limestone rock exterior. The structure has hardwood flooring and is used for storing ammunition, housing rifles and shotguns, hunting gear, etc.
The Gate House, adjacent to the golf course, is a single family, two-story residence with partial basement. This house has approximately 2,300 square feet of living area, an attached two-car garage, and a deck area. This structure was initially built in 1988 and remodeled in 2003. The house features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, living area with fireplace, and utility room.
In 2007 Boone constructed a charming Chapel located on the north end of the Lodge Compound area. This chapel is situated along the banks of a flowing creek and lake area. Adjacent to the Chapel is the Memory Garden, which was constructed in 2014. This structure is built of stone columns with a wood framed roof. There are pergolas and a beautiful stair-cased waterfall feature behind the structure.
In addition to the above, the Lodge Compound includes other support structures such as storage buildings and the Hilltop House, which is a children’s play house. Overall, the Lodge Compound area is the most user-friendly facility on the ranch. It is designed to house large groups for entertaining or business functions.
LAKE HOUSE
Boone’s Lake House has been featured in Architectural Digest Magazine and Cowboys and Indians Magazine. The Lake House contains approximately 11,500 square feet of living area and over 3,800 square feet of porches and patios. The front entry door was originally the front door to Bing Crosby’s home.
The upper level of the home features a large living/great room with fireplace, dining area, master bedroom and bath, 1½ bathrooms, kitchen, utility room, and elevator. A spiral staircase with stone imported from France leads to the lower level where there are two guest bedrooms, three bathrooms, wine cellar and tasting room, office, exercise room, utility room, cedar closet, mechanical room, and storm/safe room. Construction materials throughout the home include steel and wood framing on a concrete slab foundation, cave stone exterior, and travertine flooring.
The home has oak vaulted ceilings, wood cabinets, granite and marble countertops, and a slate roof.
Outdoor balcony railings are bronze and all balconies and porch areas overlook astonishing water features, such as lakes, ponds, waterfalls, and aqueducts. The landscaping, topography features, and water enhancements make the Lake House truly “fit for a king.”
AIRPORT AND HANGAR
The airport is located on the western portion of the ranch. The runway is approximately 6,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. The airport facility was designed and built with FAA approval and meets all of their requirements and regulations.
Approach lights are installed along the runway. The runway itself is constructed of one-foot thick concrete. This airport runway is designed to handle most any size private aircraft.
Adjacent to the runway is a 52,600-square foot concrete tarmac, which connects the airport to the hangar. The sizeable tarmac area is capable of accommodating multiple private aircraft. The hangar facility contains approximately 25,000 square feet with epoxy coated concrete floor. It features a heated electric hangar door opening system, an attractive lounge and restroom area downstairs, and a two-bedroom, two-bathroom pilot’s apartment upstairs.
The entire airport complex is located within an 8-foot-high game fence constructed of 2½ inch steel posts with heavy gauge net wire. In addition, the facility is equipped with a standby 350KW generator system for auxiliary power.
DOG KENNEL
The Dog Kennel is located east of the Lodge complex, between the Lodge and the highway. The Kennel contains approximately 11,000 square feet of usable kennel area, with approximately 3,600 feet being enclosed and air conditioned. There are 40 chain-link dog pens, 20 on each side of a concrete center alleyway.
The Kennel is equipped with full office facilities, a large meat processing-center featuring stainless steel work tables, walk-in cooler/freezer, wash area, and floor drains. The facility includes a veterinary lab, upper level storage, overhead crane and bathroom.
The Canadian River itself generally forms the north boundary of the ranch for a distance of approximately 25 miles. This river bottom is wide and fertile with a shallow water table. In some areas, standing pockets of water are common and portions of the river bottom are sub-irrigated. Knowing the Mesa Vista Ranch had a valuable water resource, Boone made the decision to enhance surface water on the property. In the early 2000’s Boone began a massive water enhancement project, likely never before conceived or duplicated by a private citizen. By dredging and building a chain of dams, waterfalls, lakes, and other water enhancements, Boone created possibly the largest individual water park ever envisioned. In addition to the countless lakes and ponds, he created a flowing, man-made creek called “Boone’s Creek,” which basically parallels the Canadian River. By dredging into the standing water table in the Canadian River bottom, this creek was formed. Boone, however, was not satisfied with standing water in the creek and wanted ever flowing running water throughout the creek bottom. With the use of well water injected into the creek, Boone’s Creek flows several thousand gallons per minute throughout this stretch of roughly 12 miles of creeks, lakes, waterfalls and ponds, all of which are man-made. With a system of pumps and pipelines, much of this water can be recirculated and used over and over. Without question, Boone has created an unmatched oasis in the Texas Panhandle.
Roberts County is known to have prolific saturated thickness of quality Ogallala ground water, along with substantial oil and gas resources.
The Mesa Vista Ranch is located in an area of prolific quality ground water, being in the Ogallala Water Formation. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of acres of water rights have been sold in Roberts County for municipal water purposes.
As previously discussed, Boone acquired the Mesa Vista Ranch in a series of purchases over the years. Boone obtained water rights in the earlier purchases, but in more recent years as he acquired adjoining land, the commercial water rights were already sold due to their commercial value. Overall, Boone owns approximately 42,000 acres of water rights, which will convey with the sale. This is considered to be an extremely valuable asset.
In addition to water resources, minerals are also considered to be a valuable resource in Roberts County. Like the water, Boone obtained a portion of the minerals on the earlier land purchases, but as he expanded to the east and west in more recent years, he was unable to obtain minerals with these acquisitions.
There is scattered oil and gas activity on the Mesa Vista Ranch. All of Boone’s owned mineral interests will convey. In 2015, Boone’s oil and gas royalty income totaled approximately $2,560,000. In 2016, with oil and gas prices declining, the total royalty income dropped to approximately $771,000. For the first nine months of 2017 the royalty income is approximately $541,000. Again, all owned water rights, all owned mineral rights, and royalty will convey with the property.
There are a number of large, operating wind farms located in the Texas Panhandle. All wind generation royalty rights are also included.
The Mesa Vista Ranch supports a variety of wildlife. Whitetail deer thrive in the productive creek bottom areas and mule deer are found throughout the sandhills, broken ridges, and mesa points on the southeast side of the ranch. Aoudad are also viewed from time to time in this rougher portion of the property. Antelope are found on the open plains country on the southwest side of the ranch. Besides quail, dove are also abundant and water fowl are seasonally present on many of the lakes. Hundreds and hundreds of turkeys are common throughout the tree-covered bottom lands. Most all of the lakes have been stocked with a variety of fish, and fishing is reported to be excellent.
The southern portion of the Mesa Vista Ranch is improved with pivot sprinkler systems and irrigation wells. Portions of this land are planted in a combination of wheat and millet, providing outstanding habitat for pheasant. All in all, with the water features, varying terrain, and conservation measures in place on the Mesa Vista Ranch, it would be hard to find a better recreational property in this area of Texas.
