Cregger Ranch

Cregger Ranch contains 390± acres and represents a rare opportunity to own and control an approximately one-mile stretch of both sides of the renowned Shields River as it circuitously flows through the ranch. Limited public access to this beautiful trout stream has reduced fishing pressure, resulting in some of the best fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain West and all of Montana.

Mature cottonwoods, willows, and aspen trees magnify the riparian corridor of the Shields River. To the east, the Crazy Mountains majestically grace the eastern flank of the Valley. The Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains provide a stunning vista in the southern viewshed, and the Bridger and Bangtail Mountains to the west. The ranch encompasses a diverse ecosystem of heavily vegetated river bottom to a rocky-timbered plateau with deep draws, brush, and native prairie grasses.

Bordering 320 acres of State of Montana land to the north, which is surrounded by private landowners, provides additional open space to hike, hunt, and enjoy with limited public activity while protecting any future development.

The Yellowstone Traditions home and guest quarters are ideally sited to maximize views of the surrounding mountains’ majesty and the calming waters of the Shields River, which flow through the cottonwood trees. The 2,226-square-foot Larry Pearson-designed home blends into the surrounding landscape. Constructed in 2001, its timeless design will appeal to even the most discerning buyer.

The guest house boasts an open, spacious floor plan with vaulted ceilings capturing the mountain vistas to the west. Utilized for entertaining and guest accommodations, the guest house enjoys similar high-end finishes that complement the main house with its design and positioning.

The ranch harbors bountiful numbers of whitetail deer amongst the heavily treed river bottom, with mule deer throughout the upper rims along the eastern edge of the ranch. The resident cow moose and her two calves can routinely be viewed as you approach the house. A young bull moose is also frequently seen along the river.

Abundant populations of both waterfowl and upland game birds find the habitat of the brushy rims and the heavily willowed riparian bottoms ideal. Pheasants and turkeys are abundant along the riparian corridor, while several coveys of Hungarian partridge spread throughout the higher elevations and deep draws to the east of the river. Judicious plantings of small grain plots could increase the current bird populations.

Complete with excellent irrigation water rights, the ranch is truly one of the finest fisheries available on the market today in this region of Montana.

Cregger Ranch is an opportunity to own a quality fishing property with high-end accommodations, providing its next owner privacy, security, and close proximity to Bozeman. Located in the Shields Valley, one of Montana’s most desirable locales, and glorified by stunning views and abundant recreational resources, it is a true gem.

Cregger Ranch is conveniently located about one mile north of Clyde Park and about six miles south of Wilsall along Highway 89. Beginning in Wilsall, at the junction of US Highway 89 and Montana Highway 86, the Bridger Range Scenic Drive follows Highway 86 to the west toward the mountains to Bozeman. The scenic drive highlights the beautiful Bridger Range and boasts amazing views of the Crazy Mountains to the east and the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains to the south.

LOCAL SCHOOLS

In the late 1980s, the school communities of Clyde Park and Wilsall consolidated, forming Shields Valley Public Schools. The Shields Valley Elementary School (PK-6), located in Wilsall, has approximately 107 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1. Shields Valley Junior High and High School, located in Clyde Park, has an enrollment of about 68 students and an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Full services and urban amenities are available in Livingston, which is about 30 minutes away, and Bozeman, about an hour’s drive.

LIVINGSTON

Livingston, historically a ranching and railroad community, has a strong tourism-based economy due to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and world-class fishing. With about 7,575 residents, Livingston has a strong art influence and is home to many fine dining establishments, shopping, banking, excellent schools, and an impressive new hospital.
Bozeman, a vibrant and active university-oriented city steeped in culture and art, is proud to maintain its small-town feeling with big-city amenities. It is home to Montana State University, the Museum of the Rockies, the Bozeman Symphony, and the Montana Ballet Company. Being the fourth largest city in the state, Bozeman offers abundant opportunities for fine dining, lodging, entertainment venues, and shopping.

Please download the offering brochure for additional information, including area airports and approximate distances to other Montana cities and attractions.

Yellowstone Traditions has set the trend in high-end residential construction in Southwest Montana for decades. Based in Bozeman, “YT” is known throughout the construction industry as true craftsmen who focus on detail and finish. The main house and guest house are no exception – the attention to detail in both homes is evident throughout.

MAIN HOUSE

Nestled along the Shields River, this extraordinary 2,226-square-foot residence stands as a masterful blend of historical charm and artistic innovation. Built in 2001 by Yellowstone Traditions under architect Larry Pearson’s vision, the two-bedroom-two-bathroom home showcases reclaimed timber from an 1800s barn, once part of the historic Salisbury Hotel, beautifully complemented by dry-stacked regional moss rock and rusted corrugated metal roofing with copper rain gutters. The artistic owners infused the space with Scandinavian influences, evident in the hand-painted Norwegian blue kitchen cabinetry, custom-crafted staircases, and thoughtful architectural details. The gourmet kitchen features soapstone countertops, a double sink, and high-end appliances, including a Sub-Zero refrigerator and Monogram range. The main floor features a stunning master suite with a spa-like bathroom, complete with a limestone soaking tub, hammered copper double sinks, and a travertine and tumbled marble shower. For easy access to the outdoors, French doors open to a stone patio. The light-filled 690-square-foot upper level, with its own balcony overlooking the river, offers an additional bedroom. Exceptional craftsmanship is displayed throughout, from bold hand-forged metal straps crafted in Red Lodge to old-world Venetian plaster walls and reclaimed fir planking. Modern amenities include radiant in-floor heating, solar panels for domestic water heating, and a Jotul cast iron woodstove set on a massive stone slab. The 1,011-square-foot media room has a large steel door that provides excellent light. If privacy is preferred, the door can be covered with the sliding reclaimed wood door for privacy. The mature landscaping featuring native grass beds transitions seamlessly to the natural river-front setting.

GUEST HOUSE

Also designed by architect Larry Pearson and brought to life by Yellowstone Traditions in 1999, this 2,905-square-foot two-bedroom guest house is reminiscent of a traditional barn with its graceful sloping lines and generous overhangs. The guest house seamlessly integrates into its natural surroundings, offering stunning views of the river and mountains. Built with authenticity using reclaimed materials from 19th and 20th-century regional buildings, the home features a reclaimed corrugated steel roof and acid-stained concrete floors throughout, all warmed by radiant in-floor heating. The heart of the space is a grand, light-filled great room with soaring cathedral timber and beam-clad ceilings, complemented by strategically placed Pella windows and skylights. The thoughtful floor plan includes a farm-style galley kitchen with butcher block and steel countertops, a comfortable living/dining area, and a versatile extra room featuring built-in amenities. A screened 388-square-foot porch and a stone patio, complete with a fire pit and boulder benches provide an outdoor living space. Modern comforts include a three-quarter bath with copper fixtures and a powder room. Throughout the guest house, custom cabinetry, artisanal details, and multiple outdoor access points create a space that functions beautifully as a luxurious guest retreat.

The main house and guest house are on a singular well and septic system and utilize an underground irrigation system to water the surrounding landscape.

DETACHED GARAGE/SHOP

The detached garage, added in 2004, complements the Montana compound with its timeless design that appears to have graced the property for centuries. Spanning 1,496 square feet, this sloped “turn-out shed” style structure features an oversized two-car garage with two manual sliding doors beautifully clad in reclaimed timber and one electric overhead door. The exterior showcases a harmonious blend of dry-stacked regional stone and weathered timbers, while the interior offers practical finishes, including plywood walls and concrete flooring. Beyond its primary function, the building houses dedicated spaces for storage, a wine cellar, and a potting shed. Thoughtful amenities include in-floor radiant heating and abundant wood-clad windows that flood the space with natural light. A custom door provides additional access to the garage, making this outbuilding both functional and architecturally striking.

CARETAKER’S HOUSE

The one-level home provides three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a three-quarter bath. With over 2,700 feet of living space, the house has historically been utilized as both a caretaker and rental house. Constructed in 1982, it is heated with two wood stoves to keep the home comfortable in the winter months; backup heat is provided by an electric baseboard as well. The many windows capture the impressive views of the surrounding mountains. Vaulted ceilings in the living room and kitchen space create an open, bright space to entertain and enjoy.

The outdoor deck opens to the river below, and the magnificent Crazy Mountains create the backdrop. An attached two-car garage also contains additional storage space for outdoor recreational gear and toys.

The caretaker’s house is on an individual well and septic system and utilizes an underground irrigation system to water the surrounding landscape.

The caretaker’s house is situated on a separately surveyed 39-acre parcel which was acquired by the sellers several years ago to protect their western viewshed and add additional river bottom acres. It allows a new owner to either retain the home and acreage or sell the parcel to reduce their overall basis in the ranch.

The remarkable and reliable Shields River is a headwater tributary of the Yellowstone River and is formed in one of the strongest watersheds in the Rocky Mountain West. It flows from one of Montana’s most beautiful and unsullied high-mountain valleys in the Crazy Mountain Range to the Yellowstone River just east of Livingston.

“The Shields” has brushy banks and excellent trout habitat. It is predominately a German brown trout fishery stretching through the ranch with cutthroats and rainbows in the upper reaches. The riparian cover and frequent backwater sloughs also create outstanding waterfowl habitat.

Because of limited access, its walk-and-wade intimacy, and the long distances between access points, the Shields River experiences little pressure from float fishermen. Combined with deep undercut banks and nutrient-rich waters, trout can become quite large.

According to many knowledgeable fly fishermen, the Shields River may be one of the more desirable fly-fishing rivers in Montana. It is just far enough away from the maddening crowds that tangle lines and trade insults on the Madison, Big Hole, Yellowstone, and Gallatin Rivers.

Only in Montana is genuine world-class wild trout fishing available—a quality readily apparent in the feeding characteristics, powerful fight, and incredible natural beauty of healthy fish, which make reels sing and quicken the pulse of those who seek the healing solitude of sparkling trout-rich waters.

In the fall, the large browns begin their spawning migration from the Yellowstone River providing anglers with excellent opportunities to land sizable brown trout.

On the occasion when one desires to explore Southwestern Montana’s other fine trout waters, a remarkable array of choices is available within an hour’s scenery-filled drive of the Shields Valley. In addition, many smaller spring creeks, ponds, and high-mountain lakes are very close to the ranch.

This area is surrounded by some of Montana’s most desirable recreational areas and picturesque mountain ranges. The Bridger Mountains and the Crazy Mountains contain numerous trailheads, offering hiking, backpacking, and camping while allowing for easy horse trailering to thousands of acres of federal land.

Exceptional skiing is a scenic 21-mile drive from the ranch with the “Cold Smoke” of Bridger Bowl. Crosscut Mountain Sports Center, also located 21 miles from the ranch, offers the highest quality Nordic skiing with over 45km of trails well suited to all ability levels. The après ski amenities of Bozeman—voted one of the World’s 25 Best Ski Towns by National Geographic in 2014—are also available nearby.

Near the ranch, the area to the east of Highway 89 is situated in the Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Hunting District 315. For additional information on hunting and regulations in this District, visit: https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/planahunt.

The Shields Valley, nestled between Montana’s Crazy Mountains to the east and Bridger Mountains to the west, holds a rich history spanning thousands of years. The valley’s Anzick site, discovered near Wilsall around 1968, represents the oldest archaeological site in Montana and the oldest human burial in North America, carbon-dated to 11,040 years ago. Native American tribes, including the Crow, were the valley’s earliest known inhabitants, living on these lands long before European settlement.

As westward expansion reached Montana, the area that would become Clyde Park initially served as a rest stop for wagon trains and travelers seeking fortune in the gold fields of Montana and California. Known first as Sunnyside, the settlement centered around Madame Bulldog’s stage stop and watering hole, which provided welcome refuge for weary travelers. In 1885, a post office was established there, with Sarah Robinson serving as postmistress.

The village of Shields, named after a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, grew to include a general store, hotel, saloon, livery stable, and blacksmith shop. The fertile land attracted settlers interested in farming and ranching, establishing agriculture as the backbone of the local economy.

In 1887, the post office moved to the Messrs’ Ranch, whose imported English Clydesdale horses worked the surrounding fields. The presence of these majestic workhorses, combined with the area’s park-like landscape, inspired the town’s new name: Clyde Park.

Transportation played a crucial role in the valley’s development. Jim Bowen, known as the “Cayuse Kid,” initially hauled supplies into Clyde Park using a twenty-four-horse jerk line. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway’s spur line, which ran through Clyde Park six times weekly, marked a significant turning point, facilitating trade and travel while stimulating economic growth throughout the Shields Valley.

The ranch is part of a rural subdivision of which the sellers own seven lots. In 2002, a conservation easement was placed on approximately 247 acres, or four of these lots, with the Montana Land Reliance. Their goal was to protect further development along the Shields River and to protect the existing open space. The conservation easement allows for an additional residence to be constructed on Parcel IV, which is an approximately 168-acre parcel located along the eastern edge of the ranch. There are three remaining parcels totaling approximately 146 acres that provide the next owner with an opportunity to conserve or further develop. To receive a complete copy of the conservation easement document, please contact our Bozeman office.

For additional details regarding Cregger Ranch, please download the offering brochure.

• Mineral Rights
• Utilities & Services
• Real Estate Taxes
• Elevation & Climate

According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Rights Division, the ranch owns nine irrigation water rights, ten stock water rights, five domestic/lawn and garden wells, and a well for domestic, irrigation, and stock that will be transferred to the buyer at closing.

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 the validity, amount, priority date, place of use, and other such changes as the Court determines. The seller has made all the filings currently required and will transfer the water rights as they currently stand with no warranty for future viability.

For additional details regarding the water rights, please contact Bill Wood or Mike Swan or download the offering brochure.

Simplicity of ownership with an abundance of enjoyment–that summarizes Cregger Ranch. The surplus of outdoor recreation with close proximity to one of the most desirable communities in Western Montana makes this an outstanding offering in today’s low-inventory market.

Nestled along the Shields River with the mountain’s majesty at every turn, privacy, safety, and a sense of place without isolation are bestowed on Cregger Ranch. The native grass and alfalfa pastures provide the opportunity to enjoy a small herd of saddle horses and livestock if so desired.

The Yellowstone Traditions house and guest house are ideally sited to maximize views of the surrounding mountain ranges, the Shields River riparian bottom, and wildlife.

The ranch is priced competitively to those land holdings that have traded hands in the Shields Valley over the past several years, while controlling a significant stretch of the Shields River.

Swan Land Company was authorized by the owners of Cregger Ranch to represent them in selling the property. At the owners’ request, the ranch was marketed discreetly.