Privacy, expansive Montana views, a meandering spring creek, and a trout-filled reservoir on over 3,843± deeded acres – this is McGuire Spring Creek Ranch.

Tucked inconspicuously in a secluded valley just 20 minutes north of White Sulphur Springs sits a very special ranch in a very special Montana location.  The rolling hillsides of native pasture transition to draws, patches of timber, and springs all of which attract passing wildlife to the Ranch.  Spring Creek meanders through the lush creek bottom meadows while views of high alpine peaks of the nearby Big Belt Mountains dominate the landscape.  Spring Creek feeds Buckingham Reservoir, a private 10± acre fishing retreat teeming with feisty rainbows.  The contiguous 3,843± deeded acres of the Ranch allow for numerous hunting opportunities or the ability to enjoy a small livestock operation utilizing the native pasture and the irrigation rights along the creek bottom.  A modest existing ranch home and a small set of working corrals & outbuildings provide a base from which to retreat and design improvements tailored to the next fortunate owner’s taste.

McGuire Spring Creek Ranch, which has not been offered on the market in over 60 years, possesses the rare combination of having multiple recreational amenities, excellent water resources, and exceptional privacy – all within a short drive to the community and services of White Sulphur Springs, within 30 minutes of Showdown Ski Area and under 2 hours from Bozeman and Livingston.  An exceptional Montana ranch ownership opportunity exists at McGuire Spring Creek Ranch.

“We always look forward to approaching the main gate and seeing that first zing of blue that exemplifies the mountain bluebird – spring has arrived on the Ranch!”

–

McGuire Family

Deeded Acreage & Ranch Amenities

McGuire Spring Creek Ranch sits in an exceptionally private valley yet with easy access to a maintained county gravel road – no other structures or neighbors are readily visible from the majority of the Ranch.  Views extend to the horizon past the Ranch boundaries across the neighboring large ranches to the distant mountains. Mountains surround the Ranch from the Little Belts in the Lewis and Clark National Forest to the north of the Ranch to the Big Belts to the southwest – Baldy and the Twin Sisters peaks are easily seen from headquarters.   The Ranch landscape is predominantly a rolling pasture with native grasses and sagebrush punctuated with draws, gullies, and pockets of timber.  The varied topography gently slopes from the Ranch entry gate into the riparian creek bottom below via a well-maintained gravel road that leads to ranch headquarters.  The riparian area is populated with willows and grasses which grow thick in the sub-irrigated meadows along the spring creek.  Two DNRC irrigation rights allow for flood irrigation on the creek meadows.  The land gains elevation to the north heading away from the headquarters area towards the Rabbit Creek drainage.  Rabbit Creek flows seasonally and provides stock water on the upper acreage – enough to sustain 30 cow-calf pair for summer grazing.

The Ranch has historically been used as a spring calving area and for spring and summer grazing pasture.  It is estimated by the seller that the Ranch could support approximately 100-120 head year-round.

Recreational options are abundant around White Sulphur Springs. Located in the heart of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, the area is characterized by flat glaciated planes, expansive river valleys, and mountain peaks brimming with forests. Whether you want to be active, relaxing or somewhere in between, the access to many forms of recreational opportunities is practically unlimited.

Downhill skiing at Showdown Ski Area, Montana’s oldest ski area is just a half-hour away in the Little Belt Mountains. Known for its all-natural snow and few crowds, the vertical drop is 1,400 feet and the runs offer skiing for many abilities. The lodge offers ski and snowboard equipment rental, dining, a coffee bar, and a lounge. The area also has excellent snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.

The Smith River, which originates in the Castle Mountains, flows southwest past White Sulphur Springs and ends as a tributary of the Missouri River.  Known for its spectacular float trips and fishing, the Smith River State Park is only accessible via a permit due to its popularity. The float begins at nearby Camp Baker and continues for 59 miles through canyons and beautiful scenery to the takeout at Camp Eden.

Newlan Creek Reservoir is located just down the road from the Ranch providing a larger reservoir recreational experience.  The 265-acre reservoir attracts anglers with rainbow and brook trout while boating enthusiasts utilize the reservoir for waterskiing and sailing.

The White Sulphur Hot Springs is conveniently located on Main Street in the heart of White Sulphur Springs.  The hot springs boast three hot springs as well as a motel for guests traveling from out of town.  The facility is open daily year-round and offers a 30-foot by the 35-foot outdoor pool, a 10-foot by 15-foot indoor hot pool as well as a new outdoor pool that maintains a temperature of approximately 103 degrees.

The local area has many hiking and biking trails for various abilities as well as campgrounds. A forest service office is situated in White Sulphur Springs and is equipped with maps of locations and current information.

The town offers a wide range of outdoor concerts, seasonal festivals, and sports competitions to pass the time. One festival that has grown in recent years is the annual Red Ants Pants musical festival which usually occurs at the end of July and takes place in a pasture just outside of the city limits. Vendors and musicians come from far and near to perform and sell their goods. The non-profit foundation is dedicated to women’s leadership, working family farms and ranches, and rural communities. Revenues are used to fund community grants and other local programs.

In the pre-European settlement era, the location known today as White Sulphur Springs was well-used by Native American Indians and referred to as the Valley of Peace.  Crow Chief Plenty Coups recalled pilgrimages by warriors to the medicinal mud baths.  The area was sought after as a place of peace, rest, and healing. The nearby Smith River was said to be used as a passage route or travel corridor by early settlers.

The name went from Trinity Springs to Brewers Springs. James Scott Brewer laid claim to the thermal springs while passing through the Carroll Trail in stagecoaches when he realized it was a perfect place to rest, calling the name of the stop Brewers Springs. When Major R.C. Walkers purchased half of the interest, the location became a business endeavor. After the pool was developed, a bathhouse, cabins, and a stable followed. The destination was frequented by adventurous travelers and the men stationed at Camp Baker, a U.S. Army outpost. Later the name was changed to White Sulphur Springs to describe the white deposits that are left by the hot water that bubbles in the area.

The beautiful location of White Sulphur Springs, nestled in between the Little Belt Mountains, Big Belt Mountains, and the Castle Mountains was a vibrant place for agriculture, ranching, farming, and mining. Prospectors found the surrounding mountains rich in lead, copper, silver, gold, and other valuable minerals. It was not long until the area became a central trading spot.  As mining took center stage, the financial progressions resulted in the county seat being moved from Diamond City to White Sulphur Springs by a general election.

The city of White Sulphur Springs remains a focal point of the county continuing with its agricultural roots to this day.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, McGuire Spring Creek Ranch owns two irrigation water rights and three stock rights.  For additional information regarding the water rights, please contact listing agent Stephen Leibinger at 406.451.1188.

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. 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 Ranch will be conveyed to the Buyer at the closing of a sale.

• Northwestern Energy provides power via overhead lines that enter the property from the southwest.
• Triangle Communications provides landline phones and fiber internet. For additional internet and television options, buyers may want to investigate satellite providers.
• Cellular coverage provided by Verizon is minimal throughout the Ranch but can be accessed via Wi-Fi at headquarters and the corrals.
• The propane tank is owned and can be filled by providers in the area.
• Stock water is provided by a combination of surface water, springs & reservoirs.

The real estate taxes for 2022 were approximately $3,779.18.

The Seller will convey with the Ranch 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geo-thermal, hydro-carbon, and gravel rights it actually owns, subject to reservations by previous owners.  The Seller makes no representation as to the quantity or quality of any mineral or other subsurface rights appurtenant to the Ranch.

The Sellers hereby make known that there may be variations between the deeded property lines and the location of the existing fence boundary lines on McGuire Spring Creek Ranch.  The Sellers make no warranties with regard to the location of the fence lines in relationship to the deeded property lines, nor do the Sellers make any warranties or representations with regard to the specific acreage within the fenced property lines.

The Sellers are selling McGuire Spring Creek Ranch in its “as is-where 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 visual aid only.  The accuracy of the maps and information portrayed thereon is not guaranteed nor warranted.

The elevation gain on the Ranch is little over 1,000 feet, with the highest point around 6,000 feet above sea level on the northern boundary of the Ranch and the lowest around 4,980 feet on the southwest portion along the Spring Creek.  The improvements sit at about 5,187 feet.

The average annual precipitation is approximately 13″ inches with the majority falling in May and June.  Located in the USDA Hardiness Zone 4a, the average growing season of the area is approximately 86 days.  The last frost of the year is typically early to mid-June and the first frost tends to be in early September.

Average high temperatures in June, July, and August range from 71° to 81° Fahrenheit.  In December, January and February average high temperatures are between 33° and 37°.

Summer average minimum temperatures range from 43° to 48°.  Winter average minimum temperatures are typically between 12° and 15°.  There is plenty of sunshine with an average of 185 sunny days throughout the year.

“At the Ranch, you are completely removed from city light pollution, and standing out in front of the house gazing upward on a dark, clear evening can certainly change your perspective on things.”

–

McGuire Family

TERMS OF INSPECTION