Ranch and Recreation Listings

Three Forks - #169837

$1,700,000

Location

"There, my friends, is the oldest and most historic spot in the state of Montana. It might be said that it is the birthplace of this great Northwest." Clark McKinley Maudlin, founder of the Missouri Headwaters State Park

The Headwaters Sporting Ranch is located in a very historically significant area, the Headwaters of the Missouri, utilized by natives and settlers for thousands of years. From here, one can see the snow capped peaks surrounding the expansive Gallatin Valley. This is the view of southwest Montana, as it would have appeared to the Lewis & Clark expedition as they arrived at the Headwaters. After hundreds of years of progress, the ranch is now conveniently positioned near the town of Three Forks and within 25 miles of Bozeman and an international airport.

Acreage

The Headwaters Sporting Ranch should be considered one of the most water-enriched parcels in Montana. The ranch is deeded as 200 acres, but could be considered larger, if one was able to accurately identify the lands encompassed within the braided riparian areas. This riparian ranch is comprised of over 100 acres of Madison Riverfront area with the remainder being excellent ranch pasture and tillable land.

The ranch is bordered on two sides by the main channel of the Madison River and bisected by the Middle Fork of the Madison River. The river meanders and braids through the ranch, creating islands and sloughs, just before the confluence of the Headwaters of the Missouri River. Additionally, the Darlinton ditch, a popular local trout fishing spring creek, bisects the ranch.

The abundant water resources and lush vegetation, combined with the privacy of the area, attract an abundant variety of wildlife and birds rare to the region. The current owners have managed the ranch as a reserve for wildlife and have identified over 100 bird species.

The property offers dramatic views in all directions of the expansive valley surrounded by snow capped peaks. View sheds include the Tobacco Root Range to West, the Spanish Peaks to the South, the Bridger Range to the East and the historic limestone cliffs of the Missouri Headwaters to the North.

Recreational Opportunities

There are many recreational opportunities in the Headwaters area. Take an on-site float trip via canoe, kayak or drift boat on the many channels braiding throughout the ranch. Or, hop on the Headwaters Trail for a bike ride or hike.

The current owner's set up a summer camp to enjoy peaceful evening cook-outs and wildlife watching. They can be at the ranch with-in minutes from town and get away from the hectic day to day schedules.

In addition to on-site recreating, hunting and fishing, there are many regional activities to take advantage of.

Camping in the Headwaters Area
Fairweather Campground - 1 mile west of Logan on Route 205, 3 miles north on Logan-Trident Road, 7 miles northeast on Clarkston Road.

Missouri Headwaters Campground - 3 miles east of Three Forks on Route 205, 3 miles north on Highway 286.

Floating and Canoeing in the Headwaterss Area:

Floating and canoeing are favorite family outings on the waterways of the Headwaters. Camp in one of the many Fish, Wildlife, and Parks fishing access sites along the rivers. The lower twelve miles of the Gallatin River, between Gallatin Forks Access Site and Three Forks, has virtually no access. Happily, it's the one stretch of the Gallatin River that may be floated. The current is slow, so plan any float trip accordingly.

Floaters enjoy stretches of white water and canoeists have unique opportunities to experience the spirit of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, fur traders like John Colter, and mountain men like Jim Bridger, all of whom canoed the rivers of the Headwaters.

Golfing in Three Forks :
Play a round or two at the Headwaters Public Golf Course featuring a 9-hole course amid beautiful panorama views. Constructed in 1988, the golf course is used by Three Forks and Gallatin Valley residents alike. The course borders ponds where wildlife including birds, geese, deer, and turtles mingle with the golfers.

Several tournaments are held throughout the season and the course is utilized by the local high school golf team. Lessons are available and the Pro Shop rents golf cards and stocks a wide assortment of golfing equipment for sale or rent. Privately owned carts are welcome.

Three Forks NRA Rodeo:
Join us for a great time during the Three Forks Rodeo each July. The Three Forks Rodeo offers two evenings of real rodeo action in a small-town setting. There's music, food, bull- and bronc-riding, crafts, a home-town parade, and much more. Don't miss real western hospitality in this historic Montana town. The Three Forks Rodeo and parade are held in Three Forks on the third weekend in July. The Rodeo is held at the fairgrounds. Take Interstate 90 to Three Forks, exit 278 one mile to Mail Street, then drive through town to the fairgrounds. The parade is held on Main Street on Saturday morning.

Headwaters Trail System - Seventh Ave. East. Jogging, walking, hiking, and biking.

Three Forks Ponds - Northeast of town. Boating, fishing, swimming, jogging, barbecue facilities, restrooms, and beach.

Fishing:

Bring your fly-fishing gear to tour the Headwaters Sporting Ranch. The ranch offers four different and unique fisheries.

The deeper channels of Madison River are suitable to both floating and provides excellent angling. Large brown and rainbow trout swim in these waters with the opportunity to hook into a 6-8 pound fish. In the Fall, it is not uncommon to see mature brown trout cleaning up gravel in some of the side channels to complete their annual spawn. In the spring time, keep a look out for the large rainbows.

The shallower, private channels of the Middle Fork, the multiple braids and islands create a wade fisherman's amusement park. It is a virtual wetland paradise.

The popular Darlinton Spring Creek Ditch is known as one of the premier brown trout fisheries in the Valley. Supplied by both spring creek water and irrigation water from the Madison River, flows range from 30cfs to 75cfs depending on the season. For the fisheries enhancement enthusiasts, this stream is a dream come true.

The fourth fishery is the large trout pond near the ranch house. The pond offers the perfect location to practice your cast or entertain guests.

Fishing the headwaters of the Missouri River near Three Forks provides sports persons with hundreds of miles of accessible blue-ribbon trout fishing. The Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Missouri rivers are among the world's most famous trout waters. With a snow-capped, mountainous background, fishing these clear waters captures many a fisherman's attention. The area offers views of a multitude of wildlife including great blue herons, sandhill cranes, red-tailed hawks, golden and bald eagles, river otters, beaver, mink, Canada geese, whitetail and mule deer, elk, and an occasional moose highlight the panorama. All nonresidents 15 years and older are required to obtain a fishing license. A valid licensed adult must accompany anyone under 15 years of age.

The Gallatin River emerges from the canyon just above its confluence with a small feeder stream, Spanish Creek. From Spanish Creek downstream, the Gallatin River runs through a broad canyon, in the vicinity of Bozeman. The scenery is beautiful and the fishing pressure is comparatively light as access becomes more difficult. After emerging from the canyon, the Gallatin River primarily flows through private property for the rest of its length down to Three Forks. The forested river banks found upstream give way to a mix of cottonwood tress, low brush, grass, and agricultural land along the river for the rest of its length.

This section of the river has significantly slower currents than found upstream. It also has broad runs, some under-cut banks, and occasional pools. The valley the river flows through also is agricultural in nature, becoming more arid as the river progresses downstream. The largest trout on the Gallatin River will be found in this stretch.

Near-by Fishing Accesses:
Droulliard Fishing Access (six camp sites, trails, toilets, boat launch, 14-day stay limit)
Williams Bridge
Sappington
Cobblestone
Grey Cliff
Black's Ford
Logan Bridge
Fairweather
Milwaukee

Hunting:

Whether you hunt wildlife for sport or photography, the Headwaters Sporting Ranch offers endless opportunities. The wildlife populations are strong at this location, due to the privacy and abundant natural resources.

This area was once valued as the prime hunting grounds for the regional Native Americans. These tribes migrated from all over the Northwest to hunt at the Headwaters. Lewis and Clark noted the Headwaters Region as having the largest population of game and beaver. Upon the return to the States, the fur trappers were in a rush to establish their claim to the Headwaters, one of the first areas in the state to be re-visited by the explorers.

Nearby, in the millions of acres public lands, there are rifle and archery hunting seasons for elk, deer, and antelope. Goat, sheep, mountain lion, and bear hunting are also plentiful as well as upland and wetland game birds.

Forest Service Access:

The ranch is located with easy access to millions of acres of public snow-covered mountain peaks and internationally known “blue ribbon” trout streams. It is centrally located between the near-by Gallatin, Beaverhead and Lewis & Clark National Forests, popular recreation areas in Montana’s Northern Rockies.

Established in 1899, the Gallatin National Forest is part of the Greater Yellowstone Area, the largest intact ecosystem in the continental United States. This 1.8-million acre Forest spans six mountain ranges and includes two Congressionally-designated Wilderness areas, the Absaroka-Beartooth and Lee Metcalf Wildernesses. The Gallatin National Forest provides habitat for a full complement of native fauna, including the grizzly bear, gray wolf, bald eagle, and the Canada lynx.

Access

The ranch is accessed via paved roads from Bozeman or Three Forks. There is a short 1/2 mile drive on a county maintained gravel road to the ranch house lane.

Three Forks is located just off I-90 (exit 278), US 287, or Montana Highway 2, and lies en-route between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.

(mileage figures from Three Forks are approximate)
Willow Creek 6.0 miles
Headwaters State Park 4.0 miles
Manhattan 11.0 miles
Lewis and Clark Caverns 17.0 miles
Amsterdam-Churchill 19.0 miles
Belgrade 21.0 miles
Gallatin Field Airport 25.0 miles
Four Corners 28.0 miles
Whitehall 31.0 miles
Bozeman 31.0 miles
Townsend 37.0 miles
Bridger Bowl 45.0 miles
Canyon Ferry 65.0 miles
Big Sky Ski Resort 65.0 miles
Yellowstone National Park 110.0 miles
Glacier National Park 250.0 miles

Community

Three Forks is a thriving town that retains its Old-West charm. Centrally located just off Interstate 90 between Bozeman, Helena, and Butte, Three Forks is just 6 miles from the Missouri Headwaters State Park and a short drive to the Madison Buffalo Jump State Monument which archaeologists date back as 4,000 years old.

Easily accessible off I-90, US-287, and Montana Highway 2, which is a back road en route between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Three Forks is home to spectacular outdoor sports. Always an adventure is the Lewis and Clark Caverns where stalactites and stalagmites create breathtaking scenes. You may also want to check out nearby ghost towns and authentic teepee rings.

Business owners provide groceries, motels, prescriptions, restaurants, gasoline and automotive needs, a variety of professional services, western wear and tack, a greenhouse, a florist, an athletic club, a hardware store, and book, gift, and tackle shops.

Three Forks has local Internet providers, overnight shipping services, and two weekly newspapers. There are excellent medical and dental facilities, schools, a golf course, an airport (5,000 feet long, paved and lighted, please refer to the webiste, www.airnav.com/airports/9S5 for more information), a library, a museum, a volunteer fire department, and a volunteer ambulance service.

Description of the land

Acquiring land in this significant historical and water enriched area is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This Gallatin Valley ranch is a true working ranch with its own wildlife sanctuary. The over 200 acres, 4 bedroom ranch house, 3 bedroom caretakers house, barn and other out buildings make it suitable for both ranch production and recreation.

This property can be considered of the most water enriched parcels in Montana, with the Middle Fork and Main channel of the Madison River. The river meanders and braids through the ranch, creating islands and sloughs, just before the confluence of the Headwaters of the Missouri River. Additionally, the Darlington ditch, a popular local trout fishing spring creek, bisects the ranch.

This area, once the prime hunting grounds of the local Native American tribes, is rich in wildlife. The lush vegetation and water resources are home to mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose. Coyote, bocate, fox, badger, proucpine, mink, otter and beaver have all been seen on the property. Hundreds of species of upland game birds and waterfowl reside here, as well as, use the waters during migration. The owner has documented over a hundred bird species seen here.

The Headwaters Sporting Ranch has been managed as a reserve for wildlife, but additionally there is close to 60 acres of irrigated pasture and hay ground. A design has been drafted for a large center pivot to utilize the excellent irrigation rights that transfer with the ranch.

This ranch is not only abundant in wildlife and agricultural resources but offers a rich history of Native American use, Lewis & Clark travels and pioneer settlement. It has excellent access via paved roads with a short drive on a gravel road to its headquarters, nestled in a grove a trees near the river. Located near quaint ranching town of Three Forks and a short 15 minute drive to Bozeman and an international airport.

Elevation, Precipitation, and Climate

Three Forks elevation is 4,130 feet. Most summers have seven or fewer days with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees. The average high temperatures for summer are in the 70s and 80s and the average lows are in the mid 40s and low 50s.

Early in autumn, high daily temperatures average 70 degrees. Indian summer can linger until the middle of October. During the months of October and November, the temperatures generally reach highs in the 40s and 50s and lows in the 20s or 30s.

Winters in Three Forks are characterized by fluctuating temperatures. Mild winter weather is not unusual and a week or more of consistently cold weather is rare. For the winter sports enthusiast, the relatively low humidity (average around 58.9) and light winds provide an ideal climate for outdoor winter activities. Downhill ski season usually extends from mid-December to the beginning of April.

Improvements

The Headwaters Sporting Ranch offers amenities of a true, Montana working ranch with two full sets of improvements. The ranch consists of over 200 acres, a 4 bedroom ranch house, 2 bedroom caretakers house, barns and other outbuildings located on beautifully landscaped sites. Each home is serviced with its own power, phone, propane tank, private well and septic.

Main Residence:

The 4 bedroom main house is well situated at the end of the private land in a well landscaped setting. The ranch headquarters is on its own 11 acres fenced and cross fenced parcel.

Huge, mature trees shade the two level, 2644 SF home, originally built in 1966. The home was restored recently with a newer roof, low-maintenence siding and other tasteful features.

The large stone fireplace is the focal point of the home. It is featured on both levels, with the hearth opening on both the front and back.

The upper level is the main living space of the home. It offers a large kitchen and dining area. The living area has well appointed windows with dramatic views of the Madison River and surrounding mountain ranges. This area opens up to an enclosed deck area with views overlooking the ranch. The indoor deck is great spot for an office, reading room or kitchen nook. There are two bedroom s and on one bath on this level.

The lower level mimics the floor plan of the upper level with two additional bedrooms, a full bath and a large family room. This area also opens up to an enclosed porch with access to the yard.

The supporting outbuildings at the ranch headquarters include:
624 SF 2 car detached garage
900 SF Steel sided pole barn
300 SF Lean-to Equipment Shed
432 SF Wood Barn/Shed
Livestock Corral area
Automatic Stock Waterer
Various farm implements may be negotiable

Guest House:

The guest house is well situated at the entrance of the Headwaters Sporting Ranch. Currently used as an income producing property, but the perfect spot to house a ranch manager/caretaker or to put your guests during their visit.

This classic, two bedroom ranch style 1344 SF home sits on its own well landscaped 2.289 acre parcel. Its is set up for animals with a small pasture and automatic stock water.

The home has been updated with beautiful warm pine paneling and other rustic accents. The bedrooms are very spacious and each have their own, large Jacuzzi baths. There is a large, open kitchen and dining area that opens up to the living area, heated by a cozy wood stove.

The supporting outbuildings include:
384 SF Heated/Insulated workshop
240 SF Storage building

Wildlife

This area, once the prime hunting grounds of the local Native American tribes, is rich in wildlife. The lush vegetation and water resources are home to mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose. Coyote, bocat, fox, badger, porcupine, mink, otter and beaver have all been seen on the property.

The ranch serves as a prime breeding, nesting and migration area for both waterfowl and upland game birds. Groups of geese and ducks raise their families on the many water ways. Each year a pair of osprey return to nest and raise their family on the ranch.

The owner has documented over a hundred bird species seen here. One of the rare identifications is the Hooded merganser. Ringtail pheasant, Hungarian partridge, Canada geese and mallards are very a common sight on the ranch. In addition to the game birds, there are numerous song birds and birds of prey. Many species of hawks, eagles, owls and osprey are typical.

One of the most unique visitors to the ranch is one of large adult moose that reside in the area. The shelter and privacy of the ranch has been the chosen location for a cow to hide out with her young moose calf each year.

Water Rights

The Headwaters Sporting Ranch offers excellent irrigation and stock water rights. Irrigation is provided by Madison River water via the Darlinton Ditch. There are several flood irrigation ditches throughout the approximate 60 acres pasture. The hundreds of trees planted throughout the property are serviced by this water, as well as, keeping the tall wheat grass productive and green.

Headwater Ranch Water Rights: 3.41 CFS Surface Water Rights to Irrigate 90 acres. Shared with the CHS Ranch

Aguatech Irrigation, Inc has a design proposal for a pivot irrigation system to irrigate 48 acres of the pasture. This pivot would help to further enhance the ranch for tillable resources such as small grains and hay.

All appurtenant water rights will transfer with the sale of the ranch.

A water right is the right to use water, both surface and subsurface. In Montana, water rights are the rights to the
use of water and not ownership of the water itself. Water rights may not automatically transfer with land.

All water in Montana is property of the State of Montana for the use of the people of Montana. The actual ownership
of water rights in Montana may not be known as many water rights are still the subject of a statewide adjudication
process. The transfer of water rights is recorded with the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
and the transfer of any right may or may not warrant that right until the adjudication process has been
completed.

Mineral Rights

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the Seller, if any, will convey to the Buyer at closing.

Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the Buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

History of the Area

The town of Three Forks derived its name from the headwaters of the Missouri which is the confluence of the three rivers that are the source of the longest river system on the continent, the Missouri-Mississippi drainage.

In 1805, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri River. They named the southern fork Gallatin in honor of Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury; the middle fork, Madison, in honor of James Madison, Secretary of State; and the northern fork, Jefferson, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson.

Located in the renowned Gallatin Valley, the headwaters area includes the towns of Three Forks, Willow Creek, Trident, and Logan, up the Jefferson toward Whitehall, up the Madison toward Harrison, and down the Missouri toward Townsend. A tributary of the Jefferson River, Willow Creek, was named "Philosophy River" by Lewis and Clark.

The area of the headwaters and surrounding the town of Three Forks has some of the most colorful legends and early day history of any region in Montana. The headwaters area was a natural crossroads and hunting ground for various Native American tribes, such as the Blackfeet, Shoshone, Flathead, and Crow, many years before Lewis and Clark arrived. Nearby is the Madison Buffalo Jump State Park where buffalo were hunted until about 200 years ago.

Sacajawea, the Indian woman who was interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was captured as a child near the headwaters in 1800. She was taken by the Mennetaree tribe to the Mandan Village in the Dakota Territory. Upon returning with the Corps of Discovery, she recognized this area and knew she was nearing her homeland.

John Colter, a member of the Expedition, came back here to trap beaver. This is where he made his famous "naked" run for his life in 1808. He was the first white man to visit Yellowstone Park.

A trading post was established by thirty-two men representing the Missouri Fur Company in 1810, among them Colter and George Drouillard who was also on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The post was unsuccessful due to hostile Indians and grizzly bear attacks.

Other famous fur trappers and traders such as Jedediah Smith, Jim Bridger, William Sublette, and Kit Carson also explored here. In 1832, Kit Carson was ambushed below the cliffs north of Trident and wounded in a skirmish with Blackfoot Indians. In 1840, Father DeSmet spent his first summer in Montana in at the headwaters doing missionary work with the Crow and Flathead Nations.

In 1862, Gallatin City was founded at the headwaters by a group of Missourians who believed it would be the head of navigation on the Missouri. They thought the gold discoveries in Virginia City, Helena, and elsewhere in Montana, would turn this area into a crossroads for miners, settlers, and freighters traveling between the gold fields. When it was determined that would not be the case, due to the "great falls" above Fort Benton, the town was moved across the river in 1865 to catch the stagecoach trade. It was named Gallatin City II and became the first county seat. When the county seat was moved to Bozeman and the Northern Pacific Railroad bypassed Gallatin City II, the town began to decline.

In 1867, "Initial Point"—where the land survey of the entire state of Montana had its start and radiated out to the state's borders—was located near the town of Willow Creek, a few miles from Three Forks.

"Old Town" is the original Three Forks and was described as a Gallatin City suburb in 1885. It was known at one time as an "English Colony" because it was a place where British first families sent their wayward sons to "sow their wild oats." Other Englishmen embarked in the horse and cattle business. Neither venture profited. Old Town was at one time owned by the Anaconda Copper Company.

The Three Forks of today owes its existence to the establishment of the Milwaukee Railroad in 1908. The location was chosen by J. Q. Adams, Milwaukee Railroad Land Agent. The railroad era lasted until March 25, 1980, when the last Milwaukee Train pulled out of Three Forks.

Taxes

2009 Property Taxes:
3 Separate Parcels

Headquarters: $1,556.05
Pasture and Riverbottom: $ 141.07
Rental House Acreage: $ 283.51
1985 Nashua: $ 291.78

Showings

Please contact Leah Olson, ALC, Broker 1-406-539-7665 to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Prudential Montana Ranch and Recreational Group must be present at all showings.

Price