MACLAY RANCH
Lolo, Missoula County, Montana
$5,900,000
918.08± Acres
INTRODUCTION
Thoughtfully overseen by the same family for over four generations, the Maclay Ranch is a 918.08± deeded-acre ranch property located at the doorstep of the vibrant city of Missoula. Set on a landscape rich in scenic beauty, the ranch spans nearly 2.5 miles from east to west and is a significantly large holding for the region. Lush, irrigated meadows make up the lower portions of the ranch before the topography slopes upwards through rolling foothills and into a mosaic of upland forest. The connectivity from the valley floor to high-elevation timber creates ecological diversity and a critical corridor for a wide range of wildlife.
The ranch provides excellent wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities and is adjacent to public lands that are otherwise difficult to access. Resident and migratory elk frequent the ranch, and whitetail and mule deer are plentiful. Other wildlife includes wild turkeys, grouse, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl.
The ranch benefits from valuable water resources and historic water rights for irrigation and stock. The Maclay-Lolo Ditch runs through the property, and much of the agricultural lands are riparian in nature. The Maclay Ranch is a bare land offering, allowing a new owner a blank canvas and numerous building site locations to take in the mountain views.
Large parcels like this one are not readily available so close to the cultural and recreational amenities of a thriving city. Maclay Ranch offers plenty of solitude and spectacular potential for those looking to enjoy life on the ranch while having access to all Missoula has to offer.
1 Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
QUICK FACTS
• 918.08± deeded acres encompassing six legal parcels
• Conveniently located 9± miles south of Missoula
• Connectivity from the valley floor to high-elevation timber and the Lolo National Forest
• A well-rounded blend of terrain and habitat -- irrigated flatland, rolling foothills, and mountain forests
• Believed to have all the wildlife species the Lewis and Clark Expedition saw when camping nearby in 1805 and 1806
• Important wildlife corridor and elk winter range
• Excellent hunting opportunities for elk, deer, wild turkey, and grouse
• Quality recreational road system provides easy access throughout the ranch
• Borders Forest Service lands with connectivity into the SelwayBitterroot Wilderness
• Extensive historic water rights dating back to 1880
• Incredible views of the Bitterroot Valley, Sapphire, and Bitterroot Mountains
• No structures, giving owners the opportunity to construct improvements as desired without considering vintage buildings that are beyond their useful life
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
ACREAGE
• 918.08± deeded acres
The lowest elevations of the ranch are irrigated lands totaling just over 100 acres. Directly west of the irrigated lands are approximately 220 acres of rangelands. The balance of the acreage is forested. In 2017, the Lolo Creek Fire burned a portion of the timbered acreage. The natural regeneration of this acreage provides necessary forage for wildlife and adds to the diversity of habitat.
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
RECREATION
For over 140 years, the Maclay family has practiced low-impact cattle and sheep grazing. This generational stewardship has allowed the ranch’s wildlife to thrive, perhaps most notably the herds of elk found on the ranch throughout all seasons. Countless species of birds, including nesting songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and grouse, inhabit the property. A quality trail system offers exploration on foot, horseback, quad, or truck. Maclay Ranch borders the Lolo National Forest, allowing access to public lands that are otherwise difficult to access.
Few parts of the West offer the year-round recreational resources of Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley. Fishing is likely the main recreational attraction to this area; Missoula boasts over 300 miles of floatable water between the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot Rivers and countless small streams for wade fishing. Maclay Ranch is conveniently located near the Bitterroot River, where anglers enjoy an exceptionally long dry-fly season from March through October.
Skiing enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to Snowbowl, Discovery, and Lost Trail Ski Areas. Due to its elevation and rugged nature, the Bitterroot Range offers many backcountry routes for those who prefer to earn their turns.
Endless trail systems throughout the Bitterroot allow backcountry access, where an afternoon activity may include exploring a high mountain lake, hiking to a waterfall, or visiting a lookout tower.
Adjacent to the eastern boundary of Maclay Ranch is the Bitterroot Trail, a paved 50± mile bike path connecting Missoula and Hamilton. The historic trail parallels the Bitterroot Mountains and travels through the charming small towns in the valley.
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
Maclay Ranch has recently run a herd of sheep but has the resources to easily transition into a cattle or horse operation.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
AREA HISTORY
The Bitterroot Valley is enriched by the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with one of their significant campsites located near Maclay Ranch. The valley’s towns are about 20 miles apart, a legacy from an era when transportation was limited to horseback or wagon travel. Today, this proximity is convenient, offering easy access to shopping, socializing, community festivals, and recreational activities. The valley is known for its friendly and welcoming residents, enhancing
Photo not taken on property
CLIMATE
Often referred to as Montana’s Banana Belt, the Bitterroot Valley is one of the most temperate valleys in the state, with average winter temperatures in the mid-thirties. Summer high temperature averages 85 degrees.
Climate charts for Lolo, Montana, courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Lolo-Montana.html
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
LOCATION
Maclay Ranch is situated in the picturesque Bitterroot Valley, less than a mile south of Lolo, Montana, and about 8 miles south of Missoula. The Bitterroot National Forest lies west of the ranch, extending into the vast SelwayBitterroot, forming the largest contiguous block of wilderness in the lower 48 states. The SelwayBitterroot Wilderness spans 1.3± million acres and is part of a five-million-acre wilderness complex across two states, home to one of the largest elk herds in the US.
Missoula is less than a ten-minute drive from the ranch and is considered the heart of western Montana. The city lies at the convergence of five large valleys and is dubbed the Garden City due to its lush landscape in a fertile valley. It is home to the University of Montana, recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as the “most scenic campus in America” and ranked by Outside Magazine as “among the top 10 colleges nationally for combining academic quality and outdoor recreation.”
AIRPORT SERVICES
Only 17± miles north of the ranch, Missoula International Airport offers direct flights to nine major US markets and connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide. Direct flights include Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
Missoula International Airport accommodates Alaska, American, United, Delta, Horizon, and Allegiant Airlines.
Minutemen Jet Center, Neptune Aviation, and Northstar Jet offer full services for general aviation and the commercial needs of the private pilot.
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
Maclay Ranch benefits from extensive water rights for irrigation and stock. Full documentation is available upon request.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller 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.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
Currently, the Maclay Ranch is not subject to a conservation easement. However, land trusts are strongly interested in protecting it. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has identified the Maclay Ranch as an essential area for conserving landscape-scale connectivity for wide-ranging and migratory wildlife between the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness running East to Rock Creek, Montana.
An easement here has the potential to conserve critical elk and deer winter range and maintain the ecological connection between the valley floor and higher elevation summer range. Maclay Ranch represents an excellent opportunity for an owner to leave a lasting conservation legacy.
Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and landuse practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
23 Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
With its sheer size, scenic beauty, and convenient proximity to Missoula, the Maclay Ranch is the perfect fit for those seeking the ranch lifestyle without compromising on modern amenities. This truly investment-grade property is ready for the next family to leave their mark on this historic ranch.
Maclay Ranch | Lolo, Montana
TAXES
$1,593.10
$5,900,000 Cash
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay and American Lands. Please contact Daniel Mahoney at (406) 360-7373 | dmahoney@fayranches.com, Mike DeShore at (406) 543-8888 | mdeshore@fayranches.com or Mark Sommer at (406) 728-4176 | msommer@apleco.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay or American Lands must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches. com.
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE
As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:
1. SELLER AGENT
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.
A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:
Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.
2. BUYER AGENT (cont)
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:
Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.
A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except a dual agent:
Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.
4. STATUTORY BROKER
A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:
Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.
6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE
Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.
BUYER AGENT
A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.
Scan the QR code to learn more.