Ranching in Montana dates back to the 1860s when the cattlemen first appeared in the Western part of the state. The Act of 1862 and the expanded iteration of 1909 promised large land parcels to applicants who would improve it via agriculture.
Today, Montana is one of the top ranching states in the US with some of the most significant ranch operations in the country.
1. Broken O Ranch
124,000 acres
Located east of the Rocky Mountain Front in Augusta, Montana, the Broken O Ranch is considered to be the largest ranch in Montana. The ranch contains Montana’s largest block of irrigated land at approximately 13,000 acres.
The ranch was established by William and Desiree Moore, the late founders of the Kelly-Moore Paint Company. It offers outstanding agricultural production and recreational amenities.
113,613 acres
Located in Gallatin and Madison Valleys, the Flying D Ranch is the second largest ranch in the state of Montana. The ranch is owned and operated by Turner Enterprises and focuses on an extensive rangeland bison operation. The Flying D harbors an abundance of species, and is home to a wide population of mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, gray wolf, moose, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain lions and many other.
3. Beaverhead Ranch
113,000 acres
Beaverhead Ranch is a 113,000-acre working ranch in southwest Montana, with grazing rights on another 226,000 acres.
The property was purchased by Rupert Murdoch in 2021 from the founder of Koch Industries, making it the biggest ranch sale in the state’s history.
The ranch reportedly has 7,000 cow-calf pairs.
Over 100,000 acres
Galt Ranch is located in central Montana near White Sulphur Springs and nestled between the Big Belt and the Little Belt Mountains.
The ranch has been established over 100 years ago and the Galt family is still managing the operations.
The ranch focuses on cattle and horses and also offers guided hunts and helicopter services.
5. N Bar Ranch
62,091 acres
The N Bar totals 62,091 acres, including 51,409 deeded acres. Located in Grass Range, MT the ranch sits in the heart of the Snowy Mountains.
With its abundant wildlife and rich landscape, N Bar is one of the most diverse ranches in Montana.
Th ranch has been sold in 2011 and under the current management it has been transformed into a commercial cow/calf/yearling operation.
UC Ranch Properties provides excellent local representation, local ranch knowledge, and hands-on experience in the ranch market, but also goes beyond by providing national team coverage, marketing, and the most extensive support team.
If you are interested in purchasing a ranch, see our current ranches for sale in Montana.
