MISSOURI RIVER REFUGE
Highwood, Chouteau County, Montana
$2,700,000 1,349.74± Acres
INTRODUCTION
Missouri River Refuge is a remarkable recreational ranch property spanning approximately 1,349.74± acres located along the Missouri River near the town of Highwood, northeast of Great Falls. The ranch includes diverse landscapes and excellent water resources, including roughly 2.5 miles of river frontage and nearly 2 miles of Highwood Creek, including its confluence. The land features a desirable combination of riparian creek and river bottom habitats, dense cottonwood stands, CRP ground, and Missouri breaks country.
The ranch has primarily served as a family recreation retreat and is managed for wildlife, providing exceptional opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching throughout the property. Furthermore, adjacent lands encompass 360± acres of State Land and 120± acres of BLM land, offering additional non-motorized recreation.
Currently, the ranch is lightly grazed and retains water rights for both stock and irrigation. The existing stands of CREP ground total approximately 80 acres. Prior to joining this program, the two stands produced alfalfa.
A four-bedroom log home is situated in a scenic location near where the creek and river converge. The home is in good condition and comes fully furnished, and can be easily winterized, allowing it to remain left unheated when desired. There are five outbuildings of varying types and conditions on the property. The seclusion here is exceptional, with the nearest full-time neighbor approximately 4.5 miles away. The land is protected by an agriculturally friendly Conservation Easement through Montana Land Reliance. There is room for enhancement or expansion of the improvements within the building envelope.
The ranch holds significant historical value, as Lewis and Clark made a stop at the mouth of Highwood Creek. Their journals record the story of hunters venturing upstream, where they harvested two deer.
The Missouri River Retreat stands out in today’s market, featuring a pleasant mix of terrain, substantial creek and river frontage, and unparalleled seclusion. This stunning ranch and recreational property is a must-see in today’s market.
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
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QUICK FACTS
• 1,349.74± deeded acres
• 2.5± miles of Missouri River frontage and nearly two miles of Highwood Creek, including its confluence
• Secluded and scenic with diverse land makeup: cottonwood bottoms, riparian areas, CRP, breaks country
• Exceptional hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback, and ATV riding
• Excellent habitat for whitetail, mule deer, waterfowl, and upland birds
• Fishing for both warm and cold-water species
• Adjacent to 360± acres of State land and 120± acres of BLM land
• Improvements include a furnished four-bedroom home, two garages, an implement shed, and outbuildings
• Includes water rights from the Missouri River
• Land is rich with history and featured in the journals of several members of the Lewis & Clark expedition
• 14± miles to Highwood, 42± miles to Great Falls, 75± miles to Showdown Ski Area
• Agriculturally friendly conservation easement with Montana Land Reliance protects the significant natural and open space values
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
ACREAGE
• 1,349.74± deeded acres
The Missouri River Refuge’s acreage features a blend of recreational and agricultural attributes. Located in the river and creek bottoms of Missouri Breaks country, this expansive ranch features 2.5± miles of Missouri River frontage. Additionally, two miles of Highwood Creek braid through the ranch, including its confluence. The dense cottonwood stands found here are the most significant in a largely treeless 40-mile stretch of the Missouri River, stretching from Ryan Dam below Great Falls to nearly Fort Benton. The acreage is comprised of a combination of dryland and valley grazing (~1000 acres) and river and creek meadows (~350 acres).
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
SCENIC VISTAS
From the sights and sounds of the creek and river bottoms to the expansive views from the elevated breaks, scenic enjoyment can be found throughout the Missouri River Refuge.
7 Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
IMPROVEMENTS
The ranch features a well-maintained log home that is furnished and ready for immediate use. The living space is functional and comfortable, with a classic wood stove, a welcome amenity during Montana’s colder months. The home includes four bedrooms and one and a half baths and can be easily winterized, allowing it to remain unheated when desired. Additional outbuildings include two detached garages, an implement shed, and two additional outbuildings in varying conditions. This opportunity offers an authentic and secluded Montana retreat, rich with wildlife and live water.
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
RECREATION
HUNTING | WILDLIFE
Excellent hunting for mule and whitetail deer can be found throughout the property. The cottonwood bottoms offer excellent whitetail habitat, while the terrain of the breaks attracts mule deer populations. Duck hunting is good during migration seasons, and the area provides exceptional upland bird habitat.
FISHING
The Missouri River in this area serves as a transitional fishery, home to both warm and cold-water species. Many species can be targeted here, including brown trout, rainbow trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, goldeye, drum, and northern pike. A small boat can be launched from the property, and five miles upstream lies a Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks fishing access site (Widow Coulee) with a launching ramp. Eight miles downstream, a launching ramp is provided by Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and Walleyes Unlimited.
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
Approximately 80± acres of the Missouri River Refuge is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), generating roughly $2,600 annually. Historically the CREP ground was used to grow alfalfa. A copy of the CREP documents may be requested from the listing agents and will be provided to qualified buyers for review.
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
AREA HISTORY
On Saturday, June 15, 1805, the journals of Captain William Clark, Sergeant John Ordway, Sergeant Patrick Gass, and Private Joseph Whitehouse from the Lewis and Clark expedition documented their stay at the ranch. They dispatched hunters up the creek, who harvested two deer. While Ordway, Gass, and Whitehouse referred to the creek as Strawberry Creek, Clark named it Shields River after the expedition’s blacksmith, John Shields. During their return trip the following year, they named another watercourse Shields River on the Yellowstone River near present-day Livingston. That name was retained, and the creek here at the ranch became known as Highwood Creek.
& Clark Expedition - Charles M Russell - 1905
Lewis
CLIMATE
Average summer temperatures in Highwood, Montana range from the mid to upper 80s, with winter temperatures in the mid-30s. Highwood receives about 14 inches of precipitation each year on average and has approximately 185 sunny days per year.
Climate charts courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Highwood-Montana.html
Highwood, Montana, is a quiet rural community set against the backdrop of the Highwood Mountains, offering vast open spaces, rich agricultural heritage, and abundant outdoor recreation. Just east of Great Falls, it serves as a gateway to some of Montana’s best hunting, fishing, and hiking. Nearby, Belt is known for its historic coal mining roots and local craft breweries, while Fort Benton, one of Montana’s oldest towns, sits along the Missouri River with deep ties to the state’s frontier history. The region balances small-town charm with rugged landscapes, making it an appealing destination for ranching, recreation, and solitude.
AIRPORT SERVICES
Great Falls International Airport, located just over an hour (~45 miles) from the ranch, offers direct flights to six major US markets and connecting flights to thousands of cities around the world.
Direct flights include Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix/Mesa, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. GTF accommodates United, Delta, Alaska, and Allegiant Airlines.
17 Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
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.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
The ranch is protected by conservation easements with the Montana Land Reliance. A copy of the conservation easements may be requested from the listing agents and will be provided to qualified buyers for review.
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 land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
WATER RIGHTS
41Q 13448-00
41Q 13447-00
41Q 25686-00
41Q 144730-00
41Q 30051844
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
SUMMARY
The Missouri River Refuge in the Missouri Breaks offers a unique blend of recreation and agriculture. This expansive property offers abundant water resources, including both river and creek frontage, creating diverse habitats for wildlife. The varied terrain includes grazing land and fertile meadows, providing opportunities for both livestock and leisure. The ranch’s secluded setting, historical significance, scenic beauty, diverse landscape, and recreational opportunities make it an exceptional offering in Montana.
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
Missouri River Refuge | Highwood, Montana
Please contact Daniel Mahoney at (406) 360-7373 | dmahoney@fayranches.com or RJ Patterson at (406) 544-6007 | rpatterson@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches, Inc. must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www. fayranches.com.
$2,780.95
$2,700,000 Cash
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
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.
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.
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