Burnt Hollow Ranch

Burnt Hollow Ranch is located ten minutes southeast of Deer Lodge, the county seat of Powell County Montana. The property is a short drive from Interstate 90, the major east/west transportation corridor through the middle of the state. From the paved frontage road, the remaining four miles to the ranch headquarters are by a well-maintained gravel road. Deer Lodge, a town of approximately 3,000 people, is a regional hub connecting a dispersed network of outlying agricultural communities. For amenities associated with larger cities, Butte is a mere 30 minutes to the southeast. Helena, the state capital, is just over an hour to the north. Missoula, Montana’s second largest city is 90 minutes to the west with Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, three and a half and three hours, respectively. 

Deer Lodge is located in a broad valley along the Clark Fork River corridor in an area primarily notable for large agricultural operations and smaller farmsteads. Often overlooked in favor of the more notable Missoula and Bozeman locales, this community has largely retained its small-town Western feel far removed from Montana’s more robust population centers. Flanked on the west by the spectacular Flint Creek Mountain Range, the valley is scenic yet unassuming checking all the boxes for Western ambiance and as a hub for some of Montana’s most coveted recreational opportunities. Deer Lodge is nearly surrounded by National Forest connecting this community to the natural landscapes so sought after by today’s buyer looking to return to a simpler way of life. The pace is slow but not oppressively so, with easy access to Montana’s metro areas when the need arises. Given the growth of some of Montana’s better-known locales, Deer Lodge is increasingly becoming an option for those looking for a slower pace yet wishing to retain access to amenities.  

Deer Lodge is located at 46.4 degrees North latitude on the western side of the Continental Divide at an elevation of 4,500± feet above sea level. Climate is punctuated by cold, dry winters and moderately warm summers. The average low in January is nine degrees Fahrenheit, with an average high in July of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, the area receives 11 inches of rain per year, with the wettest month being June. Average annual snowfall is 36 inches, with January being the month with the most snow at eight and a half inches. The growing season typically starts in mid-May and lasts through late September. 

Main House

Thoughtfully constructed by Edgell Building in 2011, this three bedroom, five-bathroom home offers 8,774 square feet of exceptionally appointed living space on two levels. Situated on a hillside adjacent to the operational hub, this masterpiece offers expansive views of the ranch headquarters and Flint Creek Range beyond. The main level features a massive, timber frame great room with floor-to-ceiling west-facing windows, executive kitchen, master suite, bar, office, mud room and expansive outdoor patio space and pool. The walkout basement offers two additional ensuite bedrooms, laundry, media room, additional storage and mechanical. The home is serviced by an attached, four-bay garage and detached four-bay shop, both with power, heat, and compressed air. This smart home is fully automated with a Crestron® Home Automation System, allowing the owners to operate security, media, lighting, and HVAC systems from anywhere in the world. Some home furnishings are available for purchase. 

Guest Home

Perched atop a ridge above the main house and operational hub is an exquisite 4,186 square foot, three bedroom, four bathroom guest home, with likely some of the best views the Deer Lodge Valley has to offer. This one-level residence boasts an open concept dining, living and kitchen space with massive west-facing windows throughout providing long views of the Flint Creek Range and beyond. Additional amenities include a spacious master suite, two additional ensuite bedrooms, office space, and game/media room with its own full bathroom. Rustic appointments, comfort, and spectacular setting combine to create a space friends and family will enjoy. 

Ancillary Residences

The ranch offers several additional residences for guests and/or employees. There are currently two homes within the operational envelope. The original 1935 ranch home is currently being used as an office but could easily be converted back to employee housing. There is one additional three bedroom home built in 2006 currently used as a guest house. In addition, there are three homes toward the ranch’s northern boundary, all used for employee housing. 

Off-Grid Cabins

Burnt Hollow Ranch offers a significant recreational component in big game and upland game bird hunting. To take advantage of this amenity, there are two rustic, off-grid hunting cabins located in some of the best habitat on the property. These cabins are comfortable, with each accommodating several guests. 

Operational Improvements

The agricultural improvements include a farm shop, barns, equipment storage, calving sheds, working corrals and various outbuildings. These improvements are well-kept, functional, and appropriate for the region and scope of the current operation. 

The ranch has a variety of irrigation, stock, and domestic water rights. Irrigation rights are primarily from Peterson and Burnt Hollow Creeks. Stock water is provided from both creeks and developed springs and then distributed to watering points across the ranch. Water right abstracts are on file and will be provided upon request. Peterson Creek runs the length of the ranch providing a significant riparian corridor especially near the ranch’s southern boundary. Domestic water is provided via spring, processed through a state-of-the-art treatment facility in the main house then distributed to the operational center and guest house.  

Sellers will convey all the mineral rights they own, if any. 

Taxes are estimated at $78,938 based on previous years.

Burnt Hollow Ranch offer significant recreational opportunities both on-site and regionally. For hunters, the ranch is home to healthy populations of elk, whitetail, and mule deer, as well as bear and lion. The property sits in Hunting District 215 which offers over-the-counter tags and drawings for permits. Big game can be found on the deeded ground as well as in the adjacent state, and federal land as the ranch shares a nearly eight-mile boundary with the U.S. Forest Service. 

The ranch sits squarely in the middle of some of western Montana’s best trout fishing water. 

Rock Creek

Rock Creek is another well-known tributary to the Clark Fork and one of the best fisheries in Western Montana. While floatable early in the season Rock Creek is primarily a wading stream and a favorite among locals. 

Clark Fork of the Columbia River

The Clark Fork River runs through the valley below and is easily accessed just ten minutes from the ranch. This is a moderate-sized tributary of the Columbia River with headwaters due east. After removal of the Milltown Dam near Missoula, the quality of the fishery has improved dramatically. 

Blackfoot River

Made famous by Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through it, the Blackfoot river is another local favorite for floating. Easily accessed from Highway 200, this tributary of the Clark Fork is both scenic and productive. 

Other local fisheries include the lesser-known Flint Creek, Georgetown Lake, and Big Hole River to name a few. 

The ranch is adjacent to the largest forest service unit in Montana, The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest offering access to millions of acres of public land for four-wheeling, horseback riding, camping, and other outdoor recreational pursuits. 

The ranch is currently operated as a balanced livestock operation carrying 150 cow/calf pairs plus replacement heifers, bulls, and horses. The ranch has been lightly utilized for many years with ample forage for livestock as well as elk, moose, deer, antelope, and upland gamebirds. The bulk of the 200± acres of irrigated land are utilized for hay production, normally producing 400-450 tons annually. The irrigation system is composed of a combination of pivot, wheel-line, and flood-irrigated fields. The irrigated lands are primarily seeded to an alfalfa/grass mix that produces two to two and a half tons/acre for a single cutting. The aftermath growth is grazed in the fall – attracting substantial numbers of wildlife.

The balance of the ranch (approximately 8,900 acres) is a near-perfect combination of grazing and forested acres that provide excellent grazing for livestock as well as habitat for wildlife. The ranch is well watered with several developed springs, pipelines, and live streams that distribute animals quite well. 

Should the next owner want to increase the ag component of the ranch, we estimate carrying capacity at 300+ Animal Units under normal operating conditions. If the grazing component were to be pushed closer to maximum utility, the ranch could custom pasture cattle for other operators or possibly buy some additional winter feed should they want to own all livestock on the ranch. 

The ranch has several grazing leases from the Montana Department of Natural Resources. Those leases total 226 Animal Unit Months (AUMs) of grazing. In addition, the ranch has a US Forest Service lease that provides for 315 AUMs of grazing, for a total of 541 AUMs. These leases are immediately adjacent to the deeded land, so utilization is very convenient.

Should the new owners wish to carry on the operational component, a list of equipment available to purchase can be provided.