Thunder River Ranch is classic Wyoming - a large working ranch encompassing a diverse landscape that is loaded with wildlife and fishing. With over 40 square miles to its credit (26,056± total acres, consisting of 20,502± deeded and 5,554± leased acres), the ranch is well-blocked and extremely private. Situated along the western flank of the Laramie Mountains, the ranch is not far from Laramie to the south or Wheatland to the east. Essentially a giant rectangle running 8± miles by 5± miles, there are no public roads within its boundaries. The Laramie River runs the length of it, with a total distance of 11± miles. If that wasn’t enough, there are several other fishing streams and shorelines on a massive reservoir. The ranch encompasses a diverse landscape, ranging from irrigated river bottom and rolling grasslands to pine forested foothills interspersed with lush draws, rugged canyons and granite outcrops. Elevations range from 6,500 to 7,600 feet.
Prolific wildlife and big game hunting are main attractions of Thunder River Ranch, which is located in Area 7, one of the nation’s finest trophy elk hunting areas. The ideal elk habitat on the ranch, combined with historically light hunting pressure, has resulted in a resident elk sanctuary. Herds in excess of 500 elk are regularly seen on the ranch, and mature bull elk scoring over 380 inches are not uncommon. Other big game include both mule and whitetail deer, antelope, black bear, mountain lion, turkey and a large variety of waterfowl. Landowner tags are available for elk, mule deer and antelope.
Thunder River Ranch is also one of the best-watered ranches in Wyoming, with an incredible 11± miles of the Laramie River, 3.7± miles of Bluegrass Creek, and three miles of shoreline along Wheatland Reservoir No 2. The river and streams support wild populations of brown, brook and rainbow trout, some of which grow to the 20+ inch class. Bluegrass Creek is a particularly productive tributary that can keep the most avid fly-fisher occupied for days. Other small tributaries on the ranch hold wild brook trout in abundance. Multiple ponds, springs and lakes exist throughout the property (some of which hold trophy trout) and many more could be developed. The Big Spring represents an 1892 water right that irrigates meadows west of the river and offers additional spring-fed fishery enhancement potential.
The Thunder River Ranch has a proven track record as a cattle business. Presently it is home to 1,300 to 1,500± yearling calves for summer grazing, with water rights for irrigating up to 620± acres. The entire ranch is perimeter and cross fenced, and a full complement of well-maintained ranch buildings supports the cattle operation. Two luxury homes sit near the Laramie River and are the headquarters for the owner and guests, complete with porches ideal for watching elk graze or simply soaking in the 100-mile views of the broad Wyoming horizon. The historic homestead house and classic old schoolhouse have been renovated and are well suited for an employee or guest housing. A fourth ranch homestead is located in the backcountry of the ranch and serves well as a hunting and fishing base camp.
Although remarkably private, the Thunder River Ranch is easily accessible to Wheatland, a solid ranching community 30± miles to the east, and Laramie, about an hour’s drive to the south, the home of the University of Wyoming and commercial air service. The larger communities of northern Colorado, including Fort Collins, Boulder and Steamboat Springs are a couple of hours distant, and Denver International Airport is approximately three hours away. Impressive in scale and unlimited in recreational opportunities, Thunder River Ranch is easy to manage and ready for immediate enjoyment.
ACREAGE BREAKDOWN
20,502± Deeded Acres
4,274± BLM Lease Acres
1,280± State of WY Lease Acres
26,056± Total Acres
Co-listed with Hunter Harrigan of Harrigan Land Company and Steve Duerr of Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates.
