380 Mill Gulch Road

Located at the southern end of the Ruby Valley in Madison County, the property is off Highway 287, four miles west of Laurin, Montana, on a well-maintained gravel road. It is an easy 12-mile drive down the valley to the hospital and grocery store in Sheridan or 20 miles over the hill to Ennis. With a population of just over 800 in 2026, Sheridan is a bustling little town that has preserved its historic charm. Amenities in Sheridan include basic grocery stores and small markets, local restaurants and cafés, a gas station with automotive services, a public library, a bank, a post office, several churches, and a good public school system. Ruby Valley Medical Center offers a wide range of healthcare services, 24-hour emergency care, and highly qualified nursing staff. It is a short drive to Three Forks or Bozeman for grocery trips and a wider variety of restaurants. Bozeman Deaconess Hospital is a level III trauma center and offers a variety of specialized services.

The area is rich in mining history, including Virginia City, just 13 miles up the road. And access to the National Forest and BLM is a quick drive or a horseback ride.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field in Belgrade (BZN) is under 1.5 hours away and offers several full-service FBOs, including the Yellowstone Jet Center, and excellent commercial services through Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United Airlines. One of the busiest passenger airports in the Pacific Northwest, and the busiest in the state of Montana, BZN offers direct flights to 24 major airports around the nation including direct flights to the West Coast, the East Coast, Texas, the Southeast, and Florida. Bert Mooney Airport in Butte is under an hour away and has direct service to Salt Lake City and Denver. Ruby Valley Aviation is a short 10-mile drive and is a full-service FBO with a 6,000-foot asphalt runway. Dillon Airport is a little further down the road and can handle slightly larger private planes.

Approximate distances to other Montana cities and attractions are as follows:

This 24-acre parcel, which is primarily rectangular, is just under a quarter mile long with the improvements on the western portion of the property sitting at around 5,700 feet above sea level. The middle portion of the property sits at around 5,720 feet and slopes down on both the northern and southern sides, with the southern boundary dropping to about 5,660 feet. The perimeter of the property is fenced and, if desired, could easily handle a couple of horses and a few cows, or serve as a hobby farm.

ELEVATION & CLIMATE

The elevation of Sheridan, Montana, is approximately 5,115 feet.

The average annual precipitation in Sheridan is approximately 15 inches. Sheridan has about 186 sunny days per year on average.

The average maximum temperatures in June, July, and August range from 73° to 83° Fahrenheit. In December, January, and February, the average maximum temperatures are between 33° and 36° Fahrenheit. Summer nights average about 44° to 50° Fahrenheit. The winter average minimum is 14° Fahrenheit.

Built in 2018, this 2,880-square-foot ranch-style home offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with an open floor plan featuring vaulted ceilings, alder wood trim, and a thoughtful use of space.

The private master suite includes a large walk-in closet and en suite bath. The kitchen impresses with custom cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and top-of-the-line appliances, flowing seamlessly into a spacious living room ideal for entertaining. Sliding glass doors open to a large deck with southern exposure and stunning views.

Down the hall, you’ll find a second bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry room, followed by an attached two-car garage measuring 26’x26’.

The fully finished lower level features barnwood wainscoting, stucco walls, and a wood-burning fireplace framed by custom stonework. A third bedroom and full bath complete the space, along with a versatile gear room that could easily serve as a fourth bedroom. Downstairs opens to a stamped-concrete patio leading to an immaculately maintained yard with large boulder retaining walls.

MAIN LEVEL – KITCHEN & LIVING AREA

LOWER LEVEL

SHOP

A finished 28’x40’ shop with a lean-to, built in 2022, complements the main house with weathered wood siding.

ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

Below the house, a greenhouse, a chicken coop, and a large garden—connected to the sprinkler system for easy watering—round out the property’s agricultural amenities.
A perimeter fence encloses the property, and native grasses make it an ideal fit for buyers looking to keep horses or other livestock.

The Ruby River is the centerpiece of the valley. Renowned for its superb fishery, the Ruby teems with rainbow and brown trout, and arctic grayling can be found in the river above the Ruby Reservoir.

Completed in 1942, the Ruby Reservoir is the valley’s lifeline, serving 48,000 acres of farmland and ranchland. At 1,000 acres, the reservoir draws water sports enthusiasts in the summer and ice fishermen in the winter.

The reservoir is fed by numerous tributaries flowing out of the expansive Snowcrest and Gravelly Mountains, part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest—3.35 million acres of public land open for recreation. Other nearby fisheries include the Jefferson, Madison, Beaverhead, and Big Hole rivers.

NATURAL WONDERS & WILDLIFE

Just 55 miles from Sheridan, Lewis and Clark Caverns, in Whitehall, is home to one of the largest known limestone cavern systems in the Northwest. This geological wonder features stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and guided tours through its series of chambers. Yellowstone National Park, under two hours from the property, features half of the earth’s geysers, numerous hydrothermal and geological features, abundant wildlife, and countless opportunities for nature-focused activities.

HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING & BIKING

Numerous hiking trails around Sheridan cater to all skill levels. Explore the beautiful terrain on horseback, by bike, or on foot, immersing yourself in the region’s natural beauty. National, state, and BLM lands are all within close proximity of the property.

HISTORIC GHOST TOWN

Less than an hour from the property, Virginia City, an authentic ghost town, offers a day trip back in time with historic boardwalks, an old-fashioned candy store, and seasonal live performances at the Brewery Follies and the Virginia City Players.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

During the winter months, the region is perfect for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing on the extensive network of trails and the nearby wilderness area.

BOZEMAN

Bozeman is an easy drive, within an hour and 20 minutes, to name-brand retail stores, fine dining, and shopping. Home of Montana State University, a NCAA Division I-AA university, Bozeman is also home of the Museum of the Rockies, “Montana’s premier natural history museum and home of the Taylor Planetarium.”

WHITEWATER ADVENTURES

Although world-renowned for fly-fishing, the Madison River is also prime for other water adventures. The property is conveniently situated near the upper section, south of Ennis, and the lower section of the Madison River, north of Norris. The Bear Trap section below Ennis Lake provides challenging whitewater and wilderness fishing adventures. Also, within an easy day trip are the Jefferson, Gallatin, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers.

The quiet, unpaved streets of Alder were once bustling with miners during the 1860’s gold rush. Alder Gulch boasts the site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains. Although Idaho Territory at the time produced an estimated $30 million worth of gold in the first three seasons. The population boom of the miners and their families led Congress to create five new territories, making Alder Gulch part of the Montana Territory in 1864. At its peak, Alder Gulch, known as “Fourteen-mile City”, had a population of 10,000; the latest census of Alder reports 135.

Prior to the years of the gold rush, the Shoshone nation used the Ruby Valley as grounds for hunting and gathering. Shoshone bands, primarily the Bannock, used the river and creeks as passageways and wintered in the valley. The river was known to the Natives as the Passamari, and later called the Stinking Water by pioneers. The mountains of the Ruby Valley hold several archeological quarry sites where Native Americans made stone tools from rocks high in silica.
During the gold rush days, the Ruby Mountain Range was named for the gems found by eager prospectors. They incorrectly identified the garnets, but the name remained. A walk through the valley may put you in the same footsteps as Shoshone natives, Sheriff Henry Plummer and his outlaws, or one of the thousands of prospectors who passed through the area on their way to strike gold.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, 380 Mill Gulch Road, Sheridan, MT, owns the following water right. For additional information regarding the water right, please contact the listing agent, Bill Wood, at 406.596.7618 or bill@swanlandco.com.

#41C 30147495       Priority Date: 6/13/2019       Volume: 35 GPM       Use:  Domestic       Means: Well

All water rights in Montana are subject to eventual re-adjudication by the Montana Water Court and, as a result of that process, may be changed as to validity, amount, priority date, place of use and other such changes as the Court determines. This water district is currently under the Preliminary-Temporary Decree as classified by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The seller has made all of the filings currently required and will transfer the water rights as they currently stand with no warranty of future viability.

All water rights appurtenant to and for the benefit of the property will be conveyed to the Buyer at closing of a sale.

UTILITIES & SERVICES

Electricity is provided by NorthWestern Energy. The newly installed Franklin solar system, installed by Independent Power, allows the owner to stay completely off-grid or enjoy the convenience of constant power with a net-zero bill. There is a 1000-gallon buried propane tank, which is owned and can be filled by one of several local vendors. The Internet is currently provided by 3 Rivers Communications through fiber-optic.

MINERAL RIGHTS

The Sellers will convey with 380 Mill Gulch Road 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geothermal, hydrocarbon, and gravel rights they actually own, subject to reservations by previous owners. The Sellers make no representation as to the quantity or quality of any mineral or other sub-surface rights appurtenant to the property.

REAL ESTATE TAXES

The real estate taxes for 2025 were $3,554.16.

This is a wonderful opportunity for buyers looking to own their own piece of Montana in the stunning Ruby Valley. The 24 deeded acres are perfectly suited for a horse property and ideally situated to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities the area has to offer. The views are truly spectacular, and the home’s secluded setting gives you that quintessential Big Sky Country feeling you’ve been searching for!

380 Mill Gulch Road, Sheridan, MT, as Previously Described Herein, is offered at $1,395,000.00.  The Conditions of Sale Are as Follows:

1. All Prospective Buyers must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Seller’s absolute financial capability to purchase the Property prior to scheduling an inspection of the Property;
2. Earnest money deposit will be due upon completion of a fully executed contract, and all earnest money deposits will be held in escrow by First American Title Company of Ennis;
3. The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Any endorsements requested by the Buyer or any lender will be at the Buyer’s expense. Title to the real property will be conveyed by a warranty deed;
4. All of the water rights claims controlled by the Property will be transferred to the Buyer at Closing;
5. Buyers’ Brokers are welcome and invited to contact listing broker Bill Wood in our Bozeman Office for information regarding Cooperation Policies.

TERMS OF INSPECTION

A 48-hour notice is requested to make proper arrangements for an inspection of 380 Mill Gulch Road, Sheridan, MT.

Swan Land Company has been authorized by the Seller to act as their Exclusive Real Estate Broker on the sale of 380 Mill Gulch Road.  Since 2002, we have focused on the brokerage of significant ranches, farms, and recreational properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

The Sellers reserve the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property which the Seller may acquire.

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Sellers.  Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, hunting districts and regulations, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Sellers or Swan Land Company.  Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.

The Seller is making known to all potential purchasers that there may be variations between the property lines and the location of the existing fence boundary lines on 380 Mill Gulch Road, Sheridan, MT. The Seller makes no warranties with regard to the location of the fence lines in relationship to the property lines, nor does the Seller make any warranties or representations with regard to specific acreage within the fenced property lines.

The Seller is selling 380 Mill Gulch Road, Sheridan, MT in an “as is” condition which includes the location of the fences as they now exist. Boundaries shown on any accompanying maps are approximate. The maps are not to scale and are for orientation purposes only. The accuracy of the maps and information portrayed thereon is not guaranteed nor warranted.