Blue Creek Ranch

Rarely does a property come on the market that provides an authentic Montana ranch life, while having modern day conveniences at your fingertips. Blue Creek Ranch and its 459 acres sit at the boundary of Billings and the vast range lands that encompass South Central Montana. For 122 years, one family has stewarded and cared for the ranch. Land The land has changed very little since its early days when the historic Chief Plenty Coups bought vegetables grown on the property and when a horseback ride to downtown Billings, less than 10 miles away, took a few hours Improvements Blue Creek Ranch provides a unique hunting opportunity close to city limits. The property currently has no restrictions for firearm use and is home to four classic game animals as well as other small game. Game include whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey, pheasant, prairie dogs, and more. Recreation With the great soil and water rights the property could be better developed for game animals by planting various food plots, shelter belts, and other game attracting vegetation. With the private Blue Creek Sport Shooting club that provides a high quality, full service, shooting complex and a Cabelas sporting goods story only a couple miles away, youll conveniently have everything you need to prepare for your hunt. Agriculture With 459 acres, many of which are NRCS rated prime farmland grasses, the ranch is excellent for livestock grazing and haying. Up to 48 acres of the property along Blue Creek may also be irrigated and cut making for the ability to feed a small herd of cattle, goats, sheep, or horses year-round. Without irrigation the hay production in 2020 yielded around 150 ton round bales. 25 head of cattle are currently summering on the ranch. With proper management and irrigation these numbers have potential to be increased. General Operations Conservation Easement Potential The Blue Creek Ranch may present a great opportunity to the savvy investor that wants to preserve the land for generations to come. Due to its proximity to Billings and its likelihood to one day be developed, the ranch may be a prime candidate for a conservation easement. A significant portion of the ranch, according to data from the NRCS, is classified as Prime Farmland or Farmland of State Importance. The NRCS considers cash grants on top of the potential tax benefits of granting a conservation easement to properties with these soil types. Development Potential Blue Creek Ranchs location close to amenities and commerce may present an excellent development opportunity. The property is already comprised of 5 parcels of various sizes that may be divided without significant further investment. The property is also a candidate for subdivision into small tracts. The ranch is less than mile from the closest elementary school and less than 1 miles to the closest city services. Fiber internet and communication lines provided by Century Link are available in the immediate area and natural gas lines provided by Montana Dakota Utilities are only 1500 away from the property. With over a mile of Blue Creek running through the property, many desirable lots could be created along the creek that would be vastly different from other potential subdivisions in the area. The water rights, with priority dates dating back to the early 1900s, may also play a vital role in the countys decision to allow for a subdivision. Location Blue Creek Ranch is minutes to many of the amenities that rarely are associated with a ranch property. The coveted Briarwood Golf Course is about 1.5 miles from the ranch. This private golf course has twice been named the best golf course in Montana. 4 miles away is the Yellowstone River and Riverfront park with its miles of trails along the banks of the river. A Sams Club is around 5 miles, while many other big box stores including Costco, Walmart, Lowes, and more are 6 miles from the ranch. Downtown Billings with fine dining, breweries, shops, entertainment, commerce, and 2 hospitals are less than 8 miles away. The Billings International airport with non-stop flights to several major destinations is less than 10 miles away, just passed downtown. These are just a few of the many conveniences you will enjoy within a short drive.