Neighboring Montana Ranches For Sale, Offer Unique Opportunity

By Greg Fay, Broker/Owner, Licensed in MT

Tom Brokaw’s West Boulder Ranch, nestled at the base of the Absaroka Mountains in south-central Montana, and the neighboring Burnt Leather Ranch-Steen Place, owned by the Reid family for over 60 years, are both for sale. They are both incredible properties, and combined, they represent an opportunity to assemble possibly the finest sporting ranch in Montana.

Both properties are listed with Fay Ranches’ founder, Greg Fay, and are known for their huge elk and wild trout.

“Every year, there’s the potential to harvest a 350-plus bull elk. Now, I’m not saying you’re going to kill one that big every year, but they’re here. Six years ago, we harvested a bull that scored just over 400. We also have big whitetails, antelope, and Hungarian partridge. It’s an amazing ranch for wildlife. Damn pretty, too,” muses ranch manager Doug Campbell. Doug and Karen Campbell have lived on and managed the West Boulder Ranch for the past 17 years.

The combination of the two ranches provides over three miles of both sides of one of the most scenic and productive fisheries in the state, the West Boulder River. The crystal-clear waters of the West Boulder flow north from the peaks of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and right through the middle of the historic ranch compound of the West Boulder Ranch. A pool just off the deck of one of the old hand-hewn log cabins is perfect for a cool afternoon swim, and it holds some nice trout too.

“I would characterize the West Boulder as the template for the perfect trout stream. The classic riffles, pools, and runs help make an incredible dry fly fishery. The beauty of both the stream and the surrounding area always make the day a success,” said guide Lee Kinsey, who has leased the fly fishing on the Burnt Leather Ranch for the past several years on a handshake agreement with the owner.

The ranches also provide some of the most scenic and enjoyable horseback riding and hiking to be found anywhere.

“I think one of the neatest things about the ranch is you can ride a horse up to cow camp, have a nice lunch, and if you want to, you can ride up into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and keep riding all the way to Wyoming! We consider ourselves pretty fortunate to live here and care for the ranch year-round,” Doug Campbell said.

Visit the Fay Ranches website for more information on both the West Boulder Ranch and the Burnt Leather Ranch-Steen Place.