What is the largest ranch in Montana? You’ve maybe heard of Mel Gibson’s ranch up the Stillwater, or the ranch owned by the Murdoch brothers. Montana is a state of open spaces, sprawling nature, and enormous mountains. Naturally, it features many ranches, some of which spread across hundreds of thousands of acres and have national fame.
Some are owned by investors, celebrities, or entrepreneurs that love the outdoors and privacy. Others have been owned by a single family and passed down from generation to generation over decades. They’re pleasant to the eye and they’re even a good way to preserve the land.
But, which one is the biggest?
I’ve compiled a list of the 10 largest ranches in Montana. First and foremost, I cover the biggest one, which happens to be a working Montana cattle ranch. Then I list the nine other largest ranches in Montana.
In this article:
- The N Bar Ranch in Fergus County
- Padlock Ranch
- IX Ranch
- Beaverhead Ranch
- Broken O Ranch of Augusta
- Flying D Ranch
- Dryhead Ranch
- G Bar M Ranch
- Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch
- Flynn’s Hideaway Ranch
Besides the largest ranch in Montana by size, you’ll also find out which is bigger in cattle production, grazing rights, and more.
1. What is the largest ranch in Montana? The N Bar Ranch in Fergus County
The N Bar Ranch in Fergus County is the largest single private ranch owned in Montana, spanning over 200,000 acres. It’s also the largest cattle ranch in Montana. It sits a few miles south of Grass Range, MT, near Yellowstone National Park.
Who Owns the Largest Ranch in Montana?
Dan and Farris Wilks own the N Bar Ranch in Fergus County, Montana. The ranch passed from family to family until the Wilks brothers bought it in 2011.
Who Owns the Largest Cattle Ranch in Montana?
The N Bar Ranch is the largest cattle ranch in Montana. It’s owned by brothers Dan and Farris Wilks.
The N Bar Ranch dates back several centuries. In the late 1800s, the ranch was owned by Zeke and Henry Newman, who were eventually forced to sell the property due to drought and devastating winters. Thomas Cruse, a banker from Helena, bought the property from Newman in 1885 and owned it for 28 years.
From 1913 to today, the N Bar Ranch passed through several owners until it was bought by Wilks Ranches in 2012, who own it today. Some of the ranch’s original structures from its early days are still standing and several Native American artifacts, such as arrowheads, have been found on the property. The ranch and its buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the most spectacular sites on the ranch hides in the main part, called the Buffalo Jump, a cliff from where you can see almost all of Montana.
How much land do the Wilks brothers own in Montana?
With roughly 346,000 acres of land, the Wilkses are the second-largest private landowners in Montana, behind logging company Weyerhaeuser/Plum Creek Timber.
Who owns the most land in Montana?
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., which merged with Weyerhaeuser Company in 2015, owns 765,925 acres of land in Montana. They are the largest landowner in Montana and the largest owner of timberland in the United States. Their Montana assets are comprised of private plots and ranches located in northwestern Montana.
Zipline tour through a Montana ranch
Ready to see a Montana ranch yourself? Take a zip-line tour of the historic Stermitz Ranch near Yellowstone. Soar from ridge to ridge through the Cinnabon Basin, over valleys, gurgling streams, and wildlife.
Read about the tour and book your spot in advance here.
2. Padlock Ranch – 475,000 acres
Padlock Ranch is one of the largest beef ranches sitting on Montana land. It stretches across both Montana and Wyoming and is one of the largest working ranches in Montana at 475,000 acres.
If you want to live and breathe like a real cowboy, Padlock Ranch offers ‘working ranch’ vacations. Everything in the main lodge is crafted and furnished to give you the truest experience of the old, but actually pretty new, wild west.
One reason people visit this Montana cattle ranch is its stunning, remote surroundings and its long history as a Montana family ranch.
Are you interested in vacationing at a Montana ranch?
Check out the 10 Best Dude Ranches in Montana.
3. IX Ranch – 134,482 acres
All of the Montana ranches on this list have history. This is part of what makes them so interesting. IX Ranch is no different. This private ranch dates back to the late 19th century, when C.J. McNamara and Thomas Marlow established a business here.
Since the mid-20th century, the ranch has been owned by the Roths. It actually consists of four separate divisions:
- Whitcraft Ranch
- NL Ranch
- Seifert Ranch
- Eagle Creek Ranch
As one of the largest ranches in Montana, it’s spread across 120,000 acres of land in the stunning Bear Paw Mountain range located in North Central Montana. Anyone who’s ever visited this area of Montana understands its immediate beauty.
The IX Ranch is a quick 30 min drive from Darby, Montana, a gem of Northern Montana.
4. Beaverhead Ranch – 133,000 acres (+226,000 additional acres in grazing rights)
Beaverhead Ranch, located in Dillon, Montana is one of the largest Montana cattle ranches, spanning over 133,000 acres. Its owners are Rupert and Jerry Murdoch, and it actually appeared in an article in the Wall Street Journal.
The origins of the Beaverhead ranch date back to 1865, when William Orr drove part of his herd to a stretch of land near Bannack. After struggling to winter here, he moved his cattle to Blacktail Creek, into the lower Beaverhead. Amazed at how well his herd flourished on the local grass varieties, he and partner Phillip Poindexter spent the next two years moving their entire stock from Shasta Valley, California to Beaverhead Valley, Montana. Their brand was the first one to ever be registered in the Montana branding book.
The value of the land is partially in its sheer size. It is, after all, one of the largest ranches in Montana. Today, its owners Rupert and Jerry Murdoch will be influential in shaping the future of the ranching industry in Montana as well as environmental conservation on a large piece of Montana land.
5. Broken O Ranch of Augusta – 124,000 acres
Broken O Ranch of Augusta is one of the biggest ranches in Montana. The ranch exceeds 124,000 acres and is located in Augusta, Montana, near the Rocky Mountains. With 20+ miles of the Sun River flowing through the ranch, it has excellent irrigation benefits. It’s also stunningly beautiful.
It’s not the largest private ranch in Montana, but it covers an immense swath of land. It’s one of the main suppliers of alfalfa hay and crops like wheat and oat.
Its outstanding production is overlooked only by its exceptional beauty. When looking at photographs or standing on the ranch’s property, it’s hard to believe this piece of land is even real.
6. Flying D Ranch – 113,613 acres
One of the biggest ranches in Montana is the Flying D Ranch, famous for its wildlife, located in southwest Montana.
Ted Turner purchased the Flying D Ranch in the late 80s and soon became the biggest landowner in Montana for bison production. The ranch also is home to moose, bison, wolves, bears, and a diversity of other Montana wildlife.
The greatest accomplishment of the Turner Enterprise has been turning this business into a progressive and innovative way to protect the environment while carrying on an entire bison enterprise.
7. Dryhead Ranch – 33,000 acres
South of Billings, named after the former president of the NPR (Northern Pacific Railway), a few acres of land gave birth to one of the largest working ranches in Montana.
This is another one of the biggest ranches in Montana that can also accommodate families and friends in rooms and cabins. It offers so many activities you’ll have a tough time deciding what to do first – from viewing wild mustangs to quietly gazing upon Montana’s stars in the clear night sky.
An entire adventure awaits.
8. G Bar M Ranch – 30,000 acres
The G Bar M Ranch has been owned by two generations of the Leffingwell family and is located in Clyde Park, only two hours away from Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort, one of the oldest and best ski resorts in Montana. The family has been a forerunner for sustainable agriculture for decades, so much so that they’ve created a highly valued image for themselves.
As a working ranch, G Bar M Ranch gives you the chance to wander and experience life on a 30,000-acre piece of land where you can be up with the cowboys or sleep in. It’s a very authentic, personal experience. If you plan a trip here, you’ll be in for delicious meals as guests here are treated as family.
And, of course, it’s one of the largest ranches in Montana. So, you’ll be in for some splendid views.
9. Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch – 25,000 acres
Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch happens to be another of the many dude ranches of Montana, offering accommodation for anyone interested in unplugging from the city and experiencing Montana ranch life. It’s not the biggest ranch in Montana, but it’s still enormous. And it’s a place where you can find an authentic experience, thanks to family meals and a direct connection to nature.
The most wonderful part is, you’ll be treated like family. While this is one of the largest ranches in Montana, the guest capacity here is relatively small. So, you’ll likely get to know the ranch hands and other guests. Your experiences here can be customized according to your own unique interests.
10. Flynn’s Hideaway Ranch – 15,000 acres
If you’re looking for the largest beef ranches in Montana, Flynn’s Hideaway Ranch may be of interest. At 15,000 acres, it is one of the largest ranches in Montana.
Though small compared to some of the other ranches on this list, it’s still one of the largest ranches in Montana. Flynn’s Hideaway was established in the second half of the 19th century, when a rising gold rush drew the founders to the region. Flynn is a place to slow down and feel at peace.
If you visit this ranch, you’ll have plenty of countryside to explore, stunning views, and colorful sunsets. You may also find yourself falling asleep on the deck, taking an afternoon nap while breathing in the fresh air. Not a bad way to spend a few weeks, right?
Interested in Montana’s mining history? Read the summarized history here.
See Montana’s largest ranches yourself!
Ranches are a cornerstone of Montana’s economy, tourism, culture, and way of life. Many of the largest ranches in Montana happen to also be dude ranches. So, if reading this article isn’t enough, and you wish to see them for yourself, then you’re in luck!
Pick one out and get in touch with us to book a stay!
As an expert in ranching and landownership, I can confidently provide additional insights and context to enhance the understanding of the concepts presented in the article about the largest ranches in Montana.
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N Bar Ranch in Fergus County:
- The N Bar Ranch, owned by Dan and Farris Wilks, is not only the largest single private ranch but also the largest cattle ranch in Montana.
- The historical background of the ranch, dating back to the late 1800s and passing through various owners, adds to its significance.
- The Wilks brothers' ownership extends to approximately 346,000 acres, making them the second-largest private landowners in Montana.
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Padlock Ranch:
- Padlock Ranch, spanning 475,000 acres across Montana and Wyoming, is highlighted as one of the largest beef ranches.
- The ranch offers 'working ranch' vacations, providing visitors with an immersive experience of the traditional cowboy lifestyle.
- The mention of the ranch's history and its location across two states contributes to its uniqueness.
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IX Ranch:
- The IX Ranch, covering 134,482 acres and consisting of four separate divisions, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century.
- The ranch's location in the Bear Paw Mountain range adds to its scenic beauty and historical significance.
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Beaverhead Ranch:
- Beaverhead Ranch, owned by Rupert and Jerry Murdoch, is emphasized for its size (133,000 acres) and additional grazing rights (226,000 acres).
- The ranch's origins date back to 1865, with the first-ever registered brand in the Montana branding book.
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Broken O Ranch of Augusta:
- The Broken O Ranch, exceeding 124,000 acres, is recognized for its role as a major supplier of alfalfa hay, wheat, and oats.
- Its exceptional beauty, with the Sun River flowing through the ranch and proximity to the Rocky Mountains, is highlighted.
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Flying D Ranch:
- Flying D Ranch, spanning 113,613 acres, is renowned for its wildlife, with Ted Turner being the notable owner.
- The ranch's focus on bison production and environmental conservation demonstrates its innovative approach to ranching.
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Dryhead Ranch:
- Dryhead Ranch, covering 33,000 acres, is mentioned for its status as one of the largest working ranches in Montana.
- The ranch's accommodation options and diverse activities, including viewing wild mustangs, contribute to its appeal.
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G Bar M Ranch:
- G Bar M Ranch, owned by the Leffingwell family and spanning 30,000 acres, is known for sustainable agriculture practices and proximity to Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort.
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Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch:
- Bonanza Creek Guest Ranch, with 25,000 acres, is characterized as a dude ranch offering an authentic Montana ranch experience.
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Flynn’s Hideaway Ranch:
- Flynn’s Hideaway Ranch, at 15,000 acres, is highlighted as one of the largest beef ranches in Montana, with a history dating back to the 19th century.
In conclusion, the article not only lists the largest ranches in Montana but also provides valuable information about their ownership, history, and unique features, offering readers a comprehensive overview of Montana's diverse and expansive ranching landscape.
