Raised on a ranch south of Buffalo, Mike became passionate about agriculture and the outdoors at an early age. He worked in many facets of the operation, including farming and irrigation, commercial hay production, and cattle raising. Today, he enjoys sharing his heritage with his family. Mike graduated from Texas Tech University in 1994. Soon after graduation, the call of the Rocky Mountains brought Mike back to Wyoming as an agriculture instructor in Meeteetse, Wyoming. His entrepreneurial nature soon led Mike to own and run a commercial weed spraying and range management business. Returning to Buffalo in 1999, he bought a Farm Bureau Financial Services office. After a successful ten years in the insurance business, Mike’s love of the land caused him to turn his attention to the ranch brokerage business. It was a natural fit for Mike, and he quickly established himself as one of the top ranch brokers in Wyoming.
Click HERE to read a story about Mike and one of many successful buyer and seller transitions.
This 222± deeded acre unimproved property with Rock Creek meandering through is only two miles from downtown Buffalo. Rock Creek is a highly sought-after fishery in the Buffalo area. It passes through the property for over one mile with tree-lined banks and a number of beautiful ox-bows. Above the creek bottom are 35± acres of flood irrigated meadows that provide forage for livestock and are a draw to wildlife. The property is flourishing with game including mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope, and upland game birds. It features exceptional views of the Big Horn Mountains from multiple secluded and private homesites. Rock Creek 222 is a unique offering in that it is unimproved high-quality acreage in a sought after and convenient location. It is waiting for its next chapter as a “gentleman’s” ranch, an equestrian property or a simply a private retreat.
The Rock Creek property is an ideal outdoorsman’s property, consisting of 222± deeded acres that runs on both sides of the highly coveted Rock Creek tributary with good views of the Big Horn Mountains. For over a mile Rock Creek, with its tree-lined banks, including a couple of beautiful ox-bows, meanders into lush hay meadows. Rock Creek provides a continuous water supply for livestock and the diverse wildlife that also call the Rock Creek 222 home; whitetail and mule deer, antelope, and outstanding trout fishing. This is highly productive terrain, perfect for a small hobby or gentleman’s ranching operation. Currently, the property is leased to a neighboring rancher for grazing cattle.
Less than two miles from downtown Buffalo, Rock Creek 222 sits in the productive Rock Creek Valley and offers room to roam, a host of wildlife and trout fishing, just a short distance from the heart of town. Big enough for privacy and the enjoyment of owning a small ranch, but not as remote as one would expect for this type of property. The property makes a perfect place for a quick escape from town and would make a spectacular setting for a beautiful family residence and compound.
Located only two miles from Downtown Buffalo, Wyoming, the Rock Creek 222 is located at the end of a private drive, easily accessed via Interstate 90 and Exit 53, the Rock Creek exit, or coming from Buffalo on North Main Street where it turns into Old Highway 87. The town of Buffalo offers many various amenities right down the road, and the bigger community of Sheridan is approximately 30 miles north of the property, with Casper 112 miles south, and Billings Montana about 165 miles to the north. The Rock Creek property is nestled along one and a half miles of Rock Creek.
Nestled at the foot of the Big Horns, Buffalo is a picturesque, authentic western town. With a population of approximately 4,500, Buffalo has the small, rural community feel with outstanding amenities including two grocery stores, various churches, nice restaurants, fast food eateries, a brewery and downtown shopping. The town boasts a beautiful 18-hole golf course, Wyoming’s largest free outdoor swimming pool, beautiful parks, a newly remodeled public library, full-service medical facility and excellent school system. Buffalo’s historic downtown is home to the impressive Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum along with more than a dozen historical buildings, hosts an assortment of family friendly events and entertainment throughout the year, and with Clear Creek running through the heart of downtown these all make Buffalo a popular stop for tourists and locals alike. A variety of recreational opportunities are available with the Big Horn Mountains just a short distance away and easily accessible.
Buffalo’s elevation is 4,645 feet above sea level. The terrain of the property slopes with elevations between 4,600 feet to 4,700 feet. Buffalo experiences a semi-arid climate, with cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers. The average temperature during the winter months range from highs in the mid 30s to 40s and lows in the mid-teens to mid-20s. Mild summer months generally average highs from mid-70s-80s and lows in the 50s. Rain precipitation in the spring averages approximately 2.4 inches with annual snowfall around 7-8 inches in the winter months and 36 inches annually.
With the Big Horn Mountains and Lake DeSmet only a short distance away recreational opportunities abound with camping, hiking, fishing, biking, horseback riding and canoeing/kayaking, boating, swimming, 4-wheeling, rock climbing, hunting, downhill and cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding and snow machining. On the property itself, hunting and fishing or just watching wildlife could be enjoyed on a daily basis.
222± deeded acres
35± acres are flood irrigated hay fields
1± miles of tree-lined creek bank
There are no structural improvements to speak of except a loafing shed for cattle. Additionally, the ranch has underground power to a nice building site in the center of the ranch.
The Rock Creek tributary flows for over a mile of the property, providing a continuous water source for livestock and wildlife, flood irrigated hay fields and excellent fishing.
The Rock Creek 222 has irrigation rights out of the Tay and Dee Ditches. These ditch rights flood irrigate approximately 35 acres of native grass fields on the western side of the property. A copy of the water rights are available upon request.
The Seller is not reserving any mineral interests. It is not believed that the Seller owns much if any of the mineral rights.
Based upon past years, the real estate taxes are estimated to run around $1,590 per year.
The banks of Rock Creek along with the irrigated hay meadows make the Rock Creek 222 property a haven for wildlife. Mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope, and upland game birds thrive on the creek bottoms along with good trout fishing found in Rock Creek.
With the Big Horn Mountains and Lake DeSmet only a short distance away recreational opportunities abound with camping, hiking, fishing, biking, horseback riding and canoeing/kayaking, boating, swimming, 4-wheeling, rock climbing, hunting, downhill and cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding and snow machining. On the property itself, hunting and fishing or just watching wildlife could be enjoyed on a daily basis.
With the highly coveted Rock Creek tributary flowing down the middle, Rock Creek 222 is a unique and picturesque property that allows for diverse opportunities including developmental potential, a gentleman’s equestrian property or hobby ranch, or an excellent spot for a private retreat. Irrigated hay meadows and creek bottom would allow for a small equestrian or hobby farm, as well as being a huge draw for various wildlife. Currently, the ranch is leased to a neighboring rancher for grazing cattle. Ultimately, the property is a blank canvas offering several different building possibilities along the banks of Rock Creek with beautiful views of the Big Horn Mountains for the building of that dream home. All of this within two miles of being in beautiful downtown Buffalo.
Mike's ranching background, thoughtfulness and attention to detail all made for a smooth and successful closing.
Working with Mike Fraley to sell our family ranch was truly a pleasure throughout the process. He handled everything with skill and integrity, from family emotions and interfacing with ranch hands, to managing showings without interfering with ranching operations and expertly handling all the...
Located 15 minutes outside of Sheridan, consisting of 45± acres. Dramatic mountain views, extreme privacy, and a main home within an equine-rich area. Short drive to the Big Horn Equestrian Center.
Located 15 miles east of Laramie, this premier elk hunting ranch is adjacent to the Medicine Bow National Forest. Offering extreme privacy, world-class improvements, and recreation in a diverse landscape.
Recreational ranch with 2,838± acres (1,358± deeded) on Piney Creek, 20 miles southeast of Sheridan. With excellent trout fishing, a variety of wildlife, solid grazing, and 300± acres of irrigation.
This 13,980± total acre contiguous ranch offers a balance of timbered ridges and canyons, complementing exceptional grasslands. All the needed improvements, excellent grazing, and some of the best big game hunting in the state.
Located 38 miles north of Cody, the 1,268± deeded acre homestead sits against the Beartooth Mountains surrounded by public land. Immaculate improvements include a main house, guest house, and garage office.
