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Circle Bar Ranch U T I C A , M O N T A N A

TCircle Bar RanchU T I C A C O U N T Y , M O N T A N A

IntroductionThe Circle Bar Ranch on the Judith River is a historic guest and working ranch

that dates back to the late 1800’s. The ranch sits in the bridging corridor that

connects the alpine habitat of the Little Belt Mountains to the Judith River Valley.

This dramatic scenery drew western artist Charlie Russell to spend time on the

ranch and in the area. Over a century has passed and the ranch remains a great

location for a small cattle outfit, family retreat or full-scale dude ranch. Buying a

working guest ranch or family retreat is a lifestyle choice for you and your family.

In today’s hectic world this type of shift may be exactly what is needed.

The ranch is nearly 520 acres of rolling hills, and timbered ridges and over one

mile of lush river bottom. State land borders the property, giving access to the

Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest. This is a perfect location for fishing,

hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and bird and trophy

big game hunting.

Jack McInerney, Associate BrokerCraig Janssen, Sales AssociateBozeman Office 406.586.6012

WWW.LIVEWATERPROPERTIES.COM

TThe area has a variety of landscapes including

wildflower-filled meadows and heavily timbered

slopes that form the Little Belt Mountain Range.

The communities of Utica, Hobson and Stanford

offer small town amenities as well as the Judith

Basin, Hobson and Utica Museums, which feature

artifacts from the Homestead Era. Fine dining,

commercial air service, state parks, golfing and shopping can be found 90

miles away in Great Falls. Lewistown is located 45 miles to the northeast

and offers shopping, a public airport with a 6,100-foot asphalt runway, as

well as a movie theatre, two golf courses and

full service hospital.

The area surrounding the ranch is rich in

recreational opportunities with Helena Lewis

and Clark National Forest, Judith River Wildlife

Management Area and Ackley Lake State Park

nearby. In the fall and winter months large elk

herds can be viewed on the edge of the Little Belt Mountains near the

Judith River Wildlife Management Area. The Circle Bar Ranch is at an

elevation of 4,900 feet.

Ranch Location

The Circle Bar Ranch, is located 13 miles southwest of Utica in Judith Basin

County, Montana.

Area History

In the early 1880s, Utica was a lively town and the headquarters for the

Judith Basin Cattle Pool. Around this time, a young man from Missouri named

Charlie Russell came to Judith Basin and began painting canvases inspired

by the area and its people. His paintings told stories of Indians, buffalo,

cowboys, mining, wolves and the open range. The “cowboy artist”, as Charlie

is now called, witnessed the transformation of the country with herds of cattle

replacing buffalo and Native Americans no longer free to live as they once

did. His art depicted the changes in the West and also gave a look at how the

West used to be. These paintings can be seen in the many museums across

the nation that celebrate the art and history of Charlie Russell.

The Circle Bar Ranch was originally inhabited by

the Blackfeet Native Americans who used it as

a hunting ground. By the late 1800s, the United

States of America claimed primary ownership of

the area and men began staking out their claim on

the land. The ranch assumed the name “S Lazy 4

Bar” in 1890, which was one of the earliest brands

in Montana. The land later became the Middle Fork

Cattle Company and was used to buy, sell and

raise cattle and horses. The business eventually

developed into a hunting and recreation business

and in 1904 the owners procured a hotel license,

as they planned to serve meals and become a

guest facility. In 1920 the ranch took on the new

brand and name of Circle Bar Ranch. The ranch

was bought and sold twice more before the current

owners purchased it in 1982.

TRanch History

The Circle Bar Ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Native

Americans who used it as a hunting ground.

The brutal winter of 1886 affected ranchers across the country

and with the railroad pushing west and cattle prices dropping,

some Montana ranchers tried their hand at the “guest business.”

Many Easterners and Europeans were anxious to get into

Yellowstone country and see for themselves the country that

Buffalo Bill and dime novelists had been describing.

Dude/ Guest Ranching Dude ranching history stretches back to the late 19th century in the post-Civil War cattle boom of the 1880’s.

The Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest’s 1.8

million acres are in close proximity to the ranch

and the state elk refuge is located nearby. There

is direct access to hundreds of thousands of

acres of spectacular untouched beauty through

the adjacent state land. The terrain includes

meadows, rolling hills, scenic vistas and timbered

slopes, which rise behind the ranch headquarters

to form the Little Belt Mountain range. The Judith

River starts on the ranch from her two

tributaries, the South Fork and the Middle

Fork. The river meanders through the ranch

for approximately one mile, offering excellent

fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and

brown trout. The terrain on the ranch is

conducive to developing a landing strip in

the meadows, and the ranch is accessible

year round by improved county gravel road.

Ranch Acreage

The Circle Bar encompasses approximately 478 acres of pasture and river bottom as

well as roughly 40 acres of irrigated land for a total of over 500 acres.

RecreationRecreational opportunities abound on the Circle Bar Ranch. With miles of trails in the nearby Helena - Lewis and Clark

National Forest as well as the ranch terrain of rolling hills, meadows and timbered slopes, the incoming owner has the

choice of horseback riding, hiking, hunting, pack trips and wildlife viewing. The location of the ranch is ideal for hunting as it

borders state land and has National Forest access quarter mile away. The opportunities for elk, bear, deer and antelope are

incredible as well as ample fishing on the approximately one mile long stretch of Judith River. With hundreds of thousands

of acres of National Forest, winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Showdown Ski

Resort is within an hour and a half drive, offering alpine skiing runs for all skill levels.

WildlifeWith the close proximity of the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest and the state elk refuge, it is not uncommon to see

large elk herds. Mule deer and Whitetail deer graze on the hills and ranch grounds. The onsite Judith River meandering

behind the barn also lures several species of upland birds and the occasional moose to the property. Bird watching is

outstanding with eagles, Peregrine falcons, hawks, bluebirds, hummingbirds, ducks, geese, Sandhill cranes, goldfinches,

Great Horned owls, as well as many other diverse species present on the ranch. Big game wildlife viewing is also outstanding

on the nearby 7,745-acre Judith River Wildlife Management Area with its abundant vegetation for wintering elk and other

species such as deer and antelope. Black bear, mountain lions and bobcats are also native to the area.

The suite features a large living area and private

bathrooms and accommodates up to six people.

The cabins come in a variety of sizes and are

perfect for housing guests or being used for

corporate retreats. These historic cabins boast

spectacular views, fireplaces, wet bars, living

areas and kitchenettes, depending on the

customized cabin.

The horse barn, built before 1902, once displayed

the “S Lazy 4 Bar” brand and is now the center for riding activities. It is

complete with tack storage and foaling stalls to make it a blend of form and

function. Originally built as a quarter horse breeding facility, the new barn

and arena house seven oversized stalls and an exercise area. The barn

offers equine safety with its iron and wood stall partitions and functionality

with its removable walls for cleaning and stall-size options. Propane heat,

a freeze proof hydrant, outdoor water troughs, rodeo-size arena, and

space for team penning and riding lessons make this a versatile facility.

The recreation/meeting hall on the ranch is

complete with a carport, porch, river rock fireplace

and two bathrooms creating a great place to view

the buffalo pasture to the west. Whether relaxing

with friends or family, shooting a game of pool or

holding an important gathering, this is the ideal

place. The main lodge is a log structure that

includes a full-sized commercial kitchen, dining

room, bar, three-bedroom suite, four hotel-style rooms and large living

room complete with high ceilings, panoramic picture windows and native

stone fireplace. The residence is a remodeled four-bedroom, three-bath

home with fireplace, jetted hot tub and a large extra space perfect for

an office. The ranch also features a heated swimming pool and glass-

enclosed hot tub.

Improvements:

The Circle Bar Ranch offers a number of extensive improvements including a

suite, nine cabins, two barns, a recreation/meeting hall, pool house, shop, main lodge,

four hotel-style rooms and residence.

• Nearly 520 deeded acres

• Mix of river bottom, irrigated hay native pasture, and timbered hills

• One mile of Judith River

• Improvements include cabins, barns, sheds, a shop and the main lodge

• Walking/riding access to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

• Adjacent to Montana State lands

• Abundant wildlife and excellent hunting

• Ideal dude ranch, personal, corporate, or family retreat

PRICE: $1,950,000TAXES: $8525 in 2019

CONTACT: For a showing of the Circle Bar Ranch, please contact Jack McInerney

or Craig Janssen of Live Water Properties.

Summary

Notes:1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to

schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you.2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy

of which we cannot guarantee.3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller’s Agent.

Circle Bar Ranch- Aerial MapMaps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

National Forest State Owned Land

Notes:1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to

schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you.2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy

of which we cannot guarantee.3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller’s Agent.

Circle BarRanch - Topography MapMaps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

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