Positioned on the east flank of the valley, the 4,667± acre Bitterroot Mountain Retreat offers a well-blocked and private holding, one hour from Missoula, Montana’s second largest city. Nestled in the foothills of the Sapphire Range, this sprawling complex delivers a classic foothill assemblage with an expansive, gently ascending native range below, giving way to forested ridges and gullies in the upper elevations. Sharing a five-mile boundary with Bitterroot National Forest, the recreational opportunities are significant on both the deeded and public grounds. The ranch is lightly yet thoughtfully improved, with a lodge and two remote cabins.
Hunting District 261, where the property is situated, is one of Montana’s top trophy Mule deer management areas. In addition to quality mule deer, elk utilize the property in archery and rifle season, offering good representative bulls. Other species, such as whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lion, grouse, and a myriad of smaller game and birds, call the ranch home.
In addition to hunting, the property offers a multitude of recreational pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, four-wheeling/trail riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and bird watching. The vast mountain ranges, beautiful meadows, long vistas, and lush valleys contribute to the area and include trail systems that offer additional recreational experiences.
The Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is a classic foothill-to-forest assemblage with gently rolling and open native range below, giving way to steeper forested gullies and hillsides above. Entering the gate near the southwest corner of the ranch, the views of the foothill prairie are expansive, showcasing the incredible topographical diversity of the property. These mostly open lower knobs, benches, and ravines provide for both big game habitat and quality grazing for stock during the summer months. As one ascends through the open meadows, the rolling prairie gives way to thicker stands of forested ridges and canyons, providing that essential cover for the elk and deer that inhabit the ranch. The middle property is replete with hidden meadows and cool hollows with seasonal streams meandering through the lush bottom ground. The topography moderates at the extreme eastern boundary as it heads into the Bitterroot National Forest.
The ranch is oriented on the east side of the Bitterroot Valley in the west-facing foothills of the Sapphire Mountain Range. Picture frame views of the jagged and snow-capped Bitterroot Mountains are visible from nearly every vantage point, providing one of the most dramatic backdrops available today.
The Bitterroot Mountain Retreat offers a beautiful, diverse landscape with enticing long views complemented by top-shelf recreational improvements and diverse wildlife in a desirable western Montana locale.
Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is located in western Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, several miles east of Corvallis and 20 miles north of Hamilton, the valley’s largest community with a population of around 5,000. Commercial air service is provided at Missoula by Delta, United, Allegiant, Frontier, and Alaska, while the nearby Ravalli County Airport is a private, jet-capable airstrip with a 5,200-foot runway and FBO services.
The Bitterroot Valley is arguably one of the most beautiful valleys in Montana, if not the northern Rockies. When combined with its immediate accessibility to modern amenities, it is hard to find a more desirable setting. The jagged peaks of the Bitterroot Mountain Range descend to the western edge, contrasting with the more gradual slopes of the Sapphire Range to the east, where the Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is nestled. The Bitterroot Range is the eastern edge of the largest wilderness complex in the lower 48 states. The Selway, Frank Church, and River of No Return wilderness areas total nearly three million acres of wild and scenic terrain serviced by an extensive network of trails that originate along the Valley’s western flank.
The Bitterroot Valley is one of the more populous valleys in Montana and, therefore, offers an array of services often lacking in more remote locations. The valley is dotted with bucolic communities, the largest of which is Hamilton, located approximately 20 minutes south of the ranch. The heart of the valley is the Bitterroot River. Running over 75 miles in a northerly direction to its confluence with the Clark Fork River in nearby Missoula, it provides legendary dry fly fishing from March through October, an unusually long season that owes its existence to the Bitterroot’s mild climate. The nearby Lost Trail Ski Area, located about 50 minutes to the south, provides deep powder and reliable, high-quality alpine and cross-country skiing in a family-oriented setting.
Missoula, located roughly one hour to the north, is a city of roughly 75,000 people and is home to two regional medical facilities, the University of Montana, a healthy art community, and an emerging technology sector. With its full-service commercial airport, Missoula is the regional hub serving all the communities in the Bitterroot Valley.
The Bitterroot Valley is one of the lowest intermountain valleys in the Rocky Mountains. The base elevation at Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is just under 4,200 feet above sea level. This location west of the Continental Divide results in a stronger Pacific Northwest influence that is found east of the Divide. Consequently, the climate is mild, and the Bitterroot is often referred to as the “Banana Belt” of Montana. High readings greater than 90F occur less than 20 days a year, and daytime highs in winter are typically in the mid-30s. High winds are uncommon in the Bitterroot Valley.
Development Considerations
The southern portion of the ranch has been subdivided into thirty 20±-acre lots, most with sweeping views of the valley and Bitterroot Mountains beyond. Seven of the lots near the ranch entrance have grid power already in place. Further development would minimally impact the operational and sporting amenities yet could provide a significant offset in acquisition costs. Buyers who see development as an option are encouraged to contact the Ravalli County Planning Department in Hamilton, Montana, for more information on the development process.
Conservation Easement
Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is unencumbered by a conservation easement. However, because of the continuing development pressure on the Bitterroot Valley, the property is a prime candidate for protection. Protecting wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and scenic viewsheds from the valley floor are highly sought-after conservation values. Should a conservation easement be of interest to a new owner, information on local and state land trusts are available upon request.
Personal Property
The lodge and cabins are offered furnished but the owners reserve the right to exclude items of sentimental or personal nature at their sole discretion. A list of exclusions will be provided during the due diligence period.
The Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is lightly yet thoughtfully improved, allowing a new owner to finish the build-out to suit their needs.
Lodge
The centerpiece of this recreation-oriented ranch is its world-class hunting lodge situated near the northern boundary. Offering two bunk rooms and a master bedroom, the lodge offers comfortable sleeping and bathroom accommodation for 12 people. Intended to host larger groups, the lodge’s kitchen is efficiently designed with commercial-grade appliances and a long banquet-style dining table. The great room, with its vaulted ceilings, offers cozy seating around the flagstone fireplace, game tables, and wet bar. The mud room provides individual cubbies for gear storage for up to twelve hunters, while a shipping container has been cleverly converted to provide processing space and cold storage for harvested game.
Perched at roughly 6,000 feet, the lodge offers expansive views up and down the Bitterroot Valley and is sited in a protected saddle in prime elk and mule deer habitat. Constructed with fire in mind, the structure’s exterior is all metal, including the roof, siding, and shutters. The facilities are tied to grid power with a backup generator, propane, well, and phone/internet service in place.
Cabins
Situated near the southern boundary of the ranch at roughly 5,200 feet are two comfortable and richly appointed off-grid cabins, suitable to accommodate several guests each. Both cabins have full kitchens with professional-style appliances, three-quarter bathrooms, wood heat, and generator power. The cabin compound offers many creature comforts, including wrap-around decks with outdoor seating and fire pits. The location on the southern portion of the ranch, separated from the main lodge, allows hunters to spread out for more efficient utilization of the big game resource.
A well-designed network of tanks has been developed from natural springs and solar wells providing stock water throughout the ranch. Additionally, two domestic wells are in place serving the main lodge and cabin complex. Information on water rights and well logs is available upon request.
Annual property taxes are estimated at $12,220 based upon past years.
Hunting
With an excellent balance of bedding areas, open meadows, and good water resources, the Bitterroot Mountain Retreat offers excellent habitat for a variety of game species. The property is situated in Hunting District 261, one of Montana’s top trophy mule deer management areas. It is not uncommon to see numerous 180-class bucks roaming the property in the rut during rifle season. In addition to quality mule deer, elk utilize the property in archery and rifle season, offering good representative bulls. Other huntable species include whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lion, and mountain grouse.
Hiking, Horseback Riding and Cross-Country Skiing
With a quality road system covering dozens of miles to every corner of the ranch, the property is ideal for those looking for their own recreational paradise, offering trails through dense forest canopy, over rocky ridges, or along open prairie. With its 2,200-foot elevation gain, bikers, hikers, and cross-country skiers can spend a lifetime exploring the ranch’s deeded ground and public land to the east.
Forest Service Connection
The retreat enjoys a nearly five-mile boundary with the Bitterroot National Forest. Because of its remoteness and access challenges from the closest available public access points, it receives limited use by the public, expanding the recreational potential of this ranch. This public land boundary is a gateway to hundreds of thousands of additional acres to recreate.
Grazing
In years past, Bitterroot Mountain Retreat has typically leased out its summer range, accommodating up to 150 pairs from late spring until early fall, often with a break in September to take advantage of archery season. The ranch is fully fenced and cross-fenced, allowing for rotational and/or intensive grazing. Working corrals with water are conveniently located near the off-grid cabins to assist in moving animals.
Montana State Grazing Lease
The ranch benefits from one 194 AUM state of Montana grazing lease, located on a landlocked, 640-acre section near the geographic center of the deeded ground. The lease runs through February of 2026.
Timber
While the current owners have completed limited selective logging for fire mitigation and forest health, significant timber value remains with vast stands of accessible Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Western larch. Those interested in more information on this natural resource should consult a forestry expert.
A 640± acres state of Montana grazing lease- landlocked within the deeded acreage and no public access from the ground.
Cash to seller.
