Custom home, fishing, hunting & Privacy
Jefferson County
Elkhorn sanctuary
Elkhorn Sanctuary sits in the Elkhorn Mountains at the confluence of the North and South Forks of Warm Springs Creek, near Clancy in Jefferson County, Montana.
The ranch encompasses approximately 388 deeded acres, with a 5,338-square-foot custom timber-frame home, a 1,290-square-foot horse barn, and a private end-of-the-road setting. Owners are immersed in the surroundings: bugling elk in the fall, long summer evenings, and year-round recreation.
The ranch is set up for horses and has good seasonal forage for livestock grazing, with ample stock water and hay storage. The South Fork of Warm Springs Creek—a cold-water tributary of Prickly Pear Creek—crosses the property and offers small-stream fishing for brown, rainbow, brook, and native Westslope cutthroat trout. Winter recreation abounds with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling from the ranch. Live water, strong wildlife habitat, and borders with the U.S. Forest Service and the 160,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit give the property a rare combination of seclusion with exceptional access.
The Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit is widely regarded as one of the nation’s successful elk conservation stories. The ranch and adjoining public lands support elk, white-tailed and mule deer, wild turkey, mountain grouse, moose, and black bear. Grizzly bears occur in the broader region from time to time; they have not been observed on the property.
• 388± deeded acres in the Elkhorn Mountains near Clancy, Montana
• Private, end-of-the-road setting just 4.9 miles from Clancy and Interstate 15
• 5,338± square-foot custom timber-frame home designed by Mosaic Architects and built in 1996
• Three-bedroom, 2½-bath home with an open floor plan and expansive windows overlooking the surrounding landscape
• North and South Forks of Warm Springs Creek converge on the ranch, providing year-round live water
• Small-stream trout fishing for brown, rainbow, brook, and native Westslope cutthroat trout
• Borders the U.S. Forest Service and 160,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit, creating exceptional access to surrounding public lands
• Outstanding wildlife habitat supporting elk, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, wild turkey, and mountain grouse
• Located in Montana Hunting District 380, renowned for its elk hunting opportunities
• Horse-ready property with a 1,290± square-foot barn, hay storage, stock water, and seasonal forage
• Maturely landscaped grounds with extensive trees, shrubs, flowers, and underground irrigation
• Approximately 130 acres protected by a conservation easement with Prickly Pear Land Trust, preserving habitat and open space
• Year-round recreational setting offering hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling
• Convenient access to Helena, approximately 16 miles away and 25 minutes from Helena Regional Airport
• Versatile ranch and retreat suited to full-time living or seasonal use, with easy access to the Missouri, Big Hole, Jefferson, Gallatin, and Madison Rivers
The ranch enjoys convenient year-round access via Warm Springs Creek Road and is located approximately 4.9 miles east of Clancy and Interstate 15. Private and commercial air travel options are readily available, with convenient access to multiple airports and fixed-base operators (FBOs). Helena is just 25 minutes away, Butte is less than an hour away, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is about 1.5 hours away.
Approximate distances to other Montana cities and attractions are as follows:
| Clancy, MT Helena, MT Butte, MT Bozeman, MT |
4.9 miles 16 miles 59 miles 105 miles |
For decades, the ranch has served as both a primary residence and a recreational retreat. It is well suited for continued use as a full-time residence or a seasonal retreat with exceptional equestrian and recreation opportunities. The property is set up for horses with stock water, hay storage, and a barn.
The current owners placed a conservation easement on approximately 130 acres—about one-third of the ranch—with Prickly Pear Land Trust of Helena. The easement protects habitat and open space while leaving meaningful flexibility on the acres outside the easement. A buyer also has an opportunity to add their own conservation legacy on the remaining acreage. A copy of the easement is available on request.
Riparian bottoms, live water, grass, and timber give the ranch an ideal mix of cover and feed that attracts and holds big game including elk, moose, and deer. Located within Montana’s renowned Hunting District 380, the property offers exceptional elk hunting opportunities. The Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit is one of the country’s better-known elk recovery projects. Populations were nearly gone after overhunting and heavy land use over a century ago, and in 1939, 34 elk from Yellowstone National Park were released into the unit. Decades of work by private landowners, the state, and federal partners rebuilt the herd of this iconic species. The Elkhorns Working Group, formed in 2001, continues to advise agencies on habitat questions that affect wildlife, producers, recreation, and nearby communities. As a trophy elk unit, harvest of branch-antlered bulls is limited to those who draw a special permit. During the general rifle season, a spike bull may be taken with an over-the-counter license. In archery season, a cow or spike may be harvested where regulations allow. Buyers should verify current FWP regulations, as they can change annually.
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Warm Springs Creek provides anglers with a classic small-stream fishing experience often referred to as “blue-lining,” a term derived from the small blue stream markings found on maps. Warm Springs Creek is a tributary of Prickly Pear Creek, which flows north to the confluence of the famed Missouri River near Wolf Creek. The creek is home to brown, rainbow, brook, and native Westslope cutthroat trout. The Sanctuary makes an excellent base for anglers with easy day trip access to fish the Missouri, Big Hole, Jefferson, Gallatin, Madison, and numerous lakes including Canyon Ferry, Holter, and Hauser.
The custom timber-frame home designed by Mosaic Architects and built by Mark Lindsay Construction in 1996 is approximately 5,338 square feet. This split-level home has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms with an open floor plan and expansive windows that maximize the beautiful nature-filled setting.
The main level features a flagstone entry that transitions to natural cherry flooring running throughout the living room, dining room, and kitchen. A double-sided stacked masonry fireplace can be enjoyed in both the living and dining rooms. The kitchen is an efficient workspace with plenty of counter space, perfectly set up for hosting family events or entertaining friends, and it leads to a covered patio. A breakfast nook connects to a small deck overlooking the wooded riparian habitat of Warm Springs Creek. The vaulted kitchen, dining room, and living room feature timber-frame accents and skylights, allowing natural light to flow through the main level.
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The upper level was designed as a luxurious suite that includes a living area built-in library, hardwood flooring, a full primary bathroom with a jetted soaking tub and a steam shower, and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The primary bedroom also includes a private deck for enjoying the evening sunsets and wildlife viewing.
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The lower level is fully carpeted with two bedrooms, a home office area with built-in cabinets, an expansive area for a home gym or theatre, and a ¾ bath that includes a sauna. A wood-burning fireplace with a dry-stacked natural stone hearth adds an additional heat source and ambience, and the large glass doors, which brighten the room, open onto a concrete patio overlooking the creek below.
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The oversized two-and-a-half car garage includes a tack room and leads efficiently into the mudroom with a full sink and an adjoining laundry room.
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The yard features mature plants with multiple timber retaining walls that define the landscape and includes a wide array of flowers and plantings that perfectly accompany the diverse, wild surrounding terrain and blend seamlessly with the covered patio, creating a great location for evening cocktails and wildlife viewing. The yard is complete with an underground sprinkler system and an additional water right that allows up to 15 gallons per minute for lawn and garden use.
In addition, the ranch includes a modest 1,290-square-foot horse barn that has held horses over the years but has not been used recently. It has an enclosed area for feed and tack and a large open section that could be converted into stalls with portable panels. A Ritchie horse drinker sits next to the barn. With a few fence panels, the area could easily be transformed into an efficient working horse facility. A few areas of the ranch are fenced, although it would need some repairs and modifications to use as horse pasture.
The Sanctuary was created through the vision of a remarkable family who founded a civil engineering firm in Helena from humble beginnings. Over time, the company grew into one of Montana’s most respected engineering firms, with offices throughout the state, and became a true success story built on hard work and dedication. That same hard work, vision, and devotion show throughout the ranch.
The private road serving the property was named September Drive in recognition of the ranch’s particularly beautiful autumn season. Cool mornings and evenings, brilliant creek-side foliage, and the sounds of bugling elk make September an especially memorable time of year on the property.
Throughout the years, the ranch has provided countless memories for the family, from hiking and horseback riding to hunting, fishing, and family gatherings. Today, it remains a special sanctuary that is ready for the next owners to enjoy the best Montana has to offer and create memories of their own.
The property’s elevation ranges from just under 4,600 feet to slightly above 5,000 feet.
In Clancy, MT, average annual precipitation is approximately 14 inches, with the majority falling during May and June. The last frost typically occurs in early to mid-June, while the first frost generally arrives in mid-to-late September.
The average high temperatures in July and August are approximately 82°F, while average summer low temperatures are around 52°F. During December, January, and February, average high temperatures typically are about 30°F, with average winter lows typically in the low teens.
The area enjoys abundant sunshine, averaging approximately 205 sunny days per year.
MINERAL RIGHTS
The seller will convey with Elkhorn Sanctuary 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geo-thermal, hydro-carbon, 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.
UTILITIES & SERVICES
- Elkhorn Sanctuary is served by reliable, modern utilities suitable for high-end rural Montana living.
- Electricity: NorthWestern Energy
- Propane: Leased tank; service by Montana Propane
- Refuse: Tri-County Disposal
- Cellular: Intermittent in places; a booster and Starlink (or similar) would improve connectivity, if desired.
REAL ESTATE TAXES
2025 real estate taxes: Approximately $4,421.
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Elkhorn Sanctuary is a 388± acre ranch near Clancy in the Elkhorn Mountains with a custom timber frame home, a horse barn, live water, and borders the US Forest Service and the 160,000-acre Elkhorn Wildlife Management Unit. The ranch includes the confluence of the North and South Forks of Warm Springs Creek, which is home to several species of trout, including native Westslope cutthroat, making a fun small-stream fishery. The capital city of Helena is only 25 minutes away. The ranch is well suited as a base for nature lovers, equestrian pursuits, big-game hunting, and year-round recreation. About 130 acres are under conservation easement with Prickly Pear Land Trust; the rest remains flexible for the next fortunate owner.
Elkhorn Sancturary, as Previously Described Herein, is offered at $3,975,000.00. The Conditions of Sale Are as Follows:
- All All offers to purchase or letters of intent must be in writing.
- All Prospective Buyers must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Seller their absolute financial capability to purchase the property prior to scheduling a tour of the ranch.
- Earnest money deposit will be due upon completion of a fully executed contract, and all earnest money deposits will be held in escrow by Rocky Mountain Title Company in Helena, MT.
- The Sellers will provide and pay for a standard owner’s title insurance policy. Title to the real property will be conveyed by a warranty deed.
- All the appurtenant water rights controlled by the property will be transferred to the Buyer at Closing.
- The Sellers will convey to the Buyer all mineral rights they own, subject to reservations by previous owners.
- Buyers’ Brokers are welcome to contact Kendall Van Dyk or Tim Anderson with Swan Land Company for additional information and to set up a private tour of the property.
- Any additional documentation provided to Prospective Buyers and their Agents related to and expanding upon the information contained in this offering brochure may be subject to terms of a Confidentiality Agreement to be signed by the Prospective Buyer and their Agents prior to the delivery of such documentation.
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., is intended only as general guidelines and has 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.
TERMS OF INSPECTION
A 24-hour notice is requested to make proper arrangements for an inspection of Elkhorn Sancturary.
Swan Land Company has been authorized by the Seller to act as the Seller’s Exclusive Real Estate Broker for the sale of Elkhorn Sancturary. Since 2002, we have focused on the brokerage of significant ranches, farms, and recreational properties throughout the Rocky Mountain West.
This Offering is based on information believed to be correct; however, it is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, and change or withdrawal without notice. Information contained herein has been provided by the Sellers or obtained from other sources deemed reliable. The Agent does not, however, guarantee accuracy and recommends that any Prospective Buyer conduct an independent investigation.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR EMAIL TO VIEW OFFERING BROCHURE.
Tim Anderson
Kendall Van Dyk
