Missouri River Refuge is a remarkable recreational ranch property spanning approximately 1,349.74± acres located along the Missouri River near the town of Highwood, northeast of Great Falls. The ranch includes diverse landscapes and excellent water resources, including roughly 2.5 miles of river frontage and nearly 2 miles of Highwood Creek, including its confluence. The land features a desirable combination of riparian creek and river bottom habitats, dense cottonwood stands, CRP ground, and Missouri breaks country.
The ranch has primarily served as a family recreation retreat and is managed for wildlife, providing exceptional opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching throughout the property. Furthermore, adjacent lands encompass 360± acres of State Land and 120± acres of BLM land, offering additional non-motorized recreation.
Currently, the ranch is lightly grazed and retains water rights for both stock and irrigation. The existing stands of CREP ground total approximately 80 acres. Prior to joining this program, the two stands produced alfalfa.
A four-bedroom log home is situated in a scenic location near where the creek and river converge. The home is in good condition and comes fully furnished, and can be easily winterized, allowing it to remain left unheated when desired. There are five outbuildings of varying types and conditions on the property. The seclusion here is exceptional, with the nearest full-time neighbor approximately 4.5 miles away. The land is protected by an agriculturally friendly Conservation Easement through Montana Land Reliance. There is room for enhancement or expansion of the improvements within the building envelope.
The ranch holds significant historical value, as Lewis and Clark made a stop at the mouth of Highwood Creek. Their journals record the story of hunters venturing upstream, where they harvested two deer.
The Missouri River Retreat stands out in today’s market, featuring a pleasant mix of terrain, substantial creek and river frontage, and unparalleled seclusion. This stunning ranch and recreational property is a must-see in today’s market.
