Nestled in the heart of Big Sky Country, Sun River Estate is a remarkable property boasting nearly a mile of Sun River frontage. This outdoorsman’s paradise spans 66.8± acres, with approximately 51 acres dedicated to irrigated hay fields. The remaining acreage showcases mature trees and river-bottom riparian habitat, creating a diverse ecosystem that supports abundant wildlife.

The property features two modern, comfortable homes, complemented by an indoor arena, eight horse paddocks, and several outbuildings designed for storing hay, tack, and equipment. This combination of natural beauty and well-planned facilities makes the estate versatile and appealing for various purposes.
Conveniently located only a mile from Great Falls, Montana, the estate offers quick access to an international airport and a full range of urban services.

For fishing enthusiasts, some of the world’s best trout fishing can be found on the Missouri River in Craig, just 40 minutes from the property.

Sun River Estate’s turnkey horse facilities are modern, well-planned, and organized, requiring minimal maintenance and upkeep. This makes it an ideal choice for equestrian enthusiasts with their own remuda, or for horse trainers looking to establish a commercial training or boarding operation. The property would also set up nicely as a dog boarding and training facility.

Beyond its equestrian appeal, the property serves as a premium getaway for professionals seeking an out-of-town feel while remaining close to urban amenities. Its picturesque setting and diverse landscape also make it suitable as a wedding or event venue.

For those interested in conservation, the estate presents a promising opportunity for a conservation easement, adding another layer of potential to this multi-faceted property. Or as an investment opportunity, this estate offers flexibility for future development as it is subdividable and not subject to any Homeowners Association (HOA) restrictions, allowing the owner considerable freedom in land use and potential expansion.

Whether you’re drawn by the equestrian facilities, the diverse recreational opportunities, or the blend of natural beauty and modern conveniences, Sun River Estate offers a unique opportunity with nearly limitless possibilities in the heart of Montana’s stunning landscape.

Sun River Estate, in central Montana, is five minutes west of Great Falls, the state’s third largest city. Great Falls is home to an international airport, fine dining, shopping, and many cultural activities. The town is a farming and shipping center. It is also home to Malmstrom Air Force Base. This area offers some of the nation’s best opportunities to experience authentic Western music, culture, and cowboy art. The cowboy town of Augusta, known as the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Rocky Mountain Front, is about an hour to the west, and the state capital of Helena is an hour and twenty-minute drive to the south. The authentic farm town of Choteau and Freezout Lake Recreation Area are 20 minutes north.

The property lies in the shadow of Shaw and Square Buttes, two massive plateaus that make for an incredible backdrop to the property. The beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front, Square and Shaw Buttes, the Sun River Valley, and the large expanses of rolling farms and pasture land attract visitors and residents to this area. This part of the state remains overlooked by most tourists; it feels more like old-time Montana. After one visit, it will become apparent how much this area offers. This estate is accessed from Sun River Road, which is paved to the property and is about a mile’s drive, walk, or float (down the Sun River) to Great Falls and the Missouri River.

Approximate distances to other towns and cities are as follows:

This 66.8± acre property boasts nearly a mile of Sun River frontage, which makes up over three-quarters of the property boundary. There are approximately 51 acres of irrigated hay fields, the remainder being river frontage, riparian habitat, horse paddocks, and homesteads. The wildlife habitat on the property is in excellent condition and could be easily improved with food plots and farming.

The sellers have historically used the property as a horse boarding, training, and broodmare operation. Currently, they run 8 broodmares plus several horses that board. If managed properly, the property could handle significantly more. In addition, they sell horse hay from the irrigated fields to several neighbors, profiting an average of about $24,000 per year depending on the crop production. Typically, about 140 tons are harvested yearly on the irrigated pastures. The seller would be willing to provide the client list to the buyer if they are interested in continuing the hay business.
The property boasts a rich ecosystem, with the river and lush fields providing ample food and shelter for diverse wildlife. Whitetail deer and various upland bird species thrive in this environment, making it an excellent location for bow hunting and shotgun hunting enthusiasts. Strategic food plots could further enhance the natural habitat, potentially increasing the wildlife population and improving hunting opportunities. This combination of natural resources and potential for habitat management creates an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters alike.

The acreage classifications for the estate are generally described as follows:

•  66.8± Deeded Acres
  • 51±Acres of Irrigated Hay Fields
  • 10±Acres of River Frontage & Riparian Habitat
  • 5.8±Acres Under Improvements

Sun River Estate has multiple functional improvements that appear to be well-maintained. The main home is ideal for the owner, while the second home is a logical choice for a ranch manager or to use as a rental home for additional income as it is currently used. The horse facilities are nicely designed and function well for an English or Western enthusiast for boarding, training, or as a broodmare operation. The improvements could also be easily modified to use for alternative uses such as dog boarding and training, or as a wedding or event venue.

MAIN HOME

This charming 2,890± square-foot ranch-style home with a walk-out basement, built in 1992, offers a perfect blend of comfort and scenic beauty. The property features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, ideal for family living or hosting guests.

The heart of the home is its open-concept kitchen and living area, showcasing large windows that flood the space with natural light and provide stunning views of the property and the Sun River. The kitchen boasts oak cabinetry and a convenient kitchen peninsula, perfect for storage, additional counter space, and casual dining.

The living room is a cozy retreat with plush carpeting, centered around a beautiful stone-faced fireplace. Large windows and sliding glass doors lead to an expansive 1,999-square-foot wrap-around deck, offering an ideal space for outdoor entertaining or relaxation while taking in the picturesque views.

The master bedroom, located on the main floor for easy one-level living, is spacious and bright. The main floor also includes a laundry room for added convenience.

The 900-square-foot lower level, with walk-out access to a patio with a fire pit, includes a large bedroom, full bathroom, and an additional room currently used as a sewing room but could easily serve as another bedroom thanks to its egress window.

Outside, the property shines with its large deck, lower-level outdoor seating area, and breathtaking views of the property and the river. A spacious three-car garage provides ample space for vehicles and storage.

This home seamlessly blends indoor comfort with outdoor beauty, offering a tranquil living experience in a picturesque setting.

SECOND HOME

Built in 2003, this 1,350± square-foot ranch-style home offers versatile accommodation options. Currently generating $1,500 per month in rental income, it could also serve as an ideal guest house or manager’s residence. The property features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a two-car attached garage. A standout characteristic is its full handicap accessibility throughout. Both bathrooms are designed with safety in mind, featuring tiled shower walls equipped with safety bars and threshold-free shower entries. The home’s layout and features make it a valuable asset, whether used for rental income, guest accommodation, or as a comfortable, accessible living space for a property manager.

INDOOR ARENA & ROUND PEN

The property features a spacious indoor arena measuring 72’ x 140’. This versatile structure includes a large working area of 120’ x 72’ with sand footing, ideal for equestrian activities. Adjacent to the working area are three 10’ x 10’ stalls, providing comfortable accommodation for horses. The remaining 72’ x 20’ space is dedicated to a wash area, offering convenient facilities for horse care and maintenance.

The arena’s roof is insulated, enhancing temperature control and energy efficiency. While the walls are currently uninsulated, they could be easily upgraded if desired. Notably, the arena’s open design, free of interior walls, allows for great flexibility. This feature makes it adaptable for various uses beyond equestrian purposes, should future needs change.

The outdoor round pen is 50 feet in diameter.

PADDOCKS & PASTURES

Eight separate 2,000-square-foot paddocks each have a 480-square-foot open-faced shelter providing shade and cover during inclement weather. Three pastures, specifically fenced with a horse-friendly fencing system, are located conveniently near the barns. You will also find multiple outbuildings for equipment, hay, storage, and tack.

ON THE PROPERTY

The estate offers a diverse range of recreational activities, with a particular emphasis on water-based pursuits. The property boasts three-quarters of a mile of frontage along the Sun River, providing immediate access to various water sports. Residents and guests can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding during the summer months. The proximity to Great Falls, just a mile downriver, allows for unique adventures such as paddling into town for a meal.

The Sun River is known as a warm-water fishery, home to several species including bass, catfish, northern pike, walleye, and sauger. While some fishing can be done directly from the property, the best fishing spots on the Sun River are located about an hour west. For fly fishing enthusiasts, the nearby Missouri River is renowned as one of the country’s premier destinations.

Beyond water activities, the estate is a haven for wildlife, offering excellent opportunities for both viewing and hunting. Whitetail deer and upland birds are abundant, thanks to the property’s well-maintained irrigated grounds that provide prime habitat. The potential exists to further enhance this habitat through strategic food plots and farming practices.
This combination of water frontage, diverse wildlife, and proximity to additional recreational areas makes the estate an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a variety of activities right at their doorstep.

AREA RECREATION

EQUESTRIAN PURSUITS

Sun River Valley is the home of Montana’s performance quarter horse industry. Horsemen and women will notice quality horseflesh standing or working in pastures up and down the valley. Well-known operations like the Bird Tail Ranch operate successful breeding programs with a bloodline that goes back to the legendary quarter horse stallion Steel Dust.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are popular winter outdoor activities. Three community downhill ski areas, including Teton Pass, Great Divide, and Showdown Ski Areas are all within an easy 1.5-hour drive of the Sun River Estate.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

In the summertime, there are numerous lakes, streams, and rivers in the area where folks enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and hanging out. Exploring the wilderness and mountains on horseback or hiking will provide days of fun and adventure every year.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Freezeout Lake Recreational Area, a popular destination for bird watchers, is approximately 15 miles away. Up to 300,000 snow geese and 10,000 tundra swans can be seen simultaneously. Other birds include ibis, cranes, herons, and shorebirds of many types rarely seen in different parts of Montana.

This corner of Montana may be most known for the backdrop for much of Charles M. Russell’s best artwork. Rich in history, this area was home to Native Americans, cowboys, farmers, trappers, and traders.

Great Falls’ history starts with the Missouri River and the waterfalls from which it gets its name. Lewis and Clark “discovered” the Great Falls of the Missouri on their expedition in 1805 where Lewis described them as “a sublimely grand specticle [sic]… the grandest sight I had ever held.”

Where the city now sits, the Missouri River drops over 500 feet in a series of rapids and five waterfalls – the “great falls” of the Missouri. The city was founded in 1884, and in short order, boasted streetlights and the largest opera house between Minneapolis and Spokane. In 1942, just outside Great Falls, construction began on Malmstrom Air Force Base, now home to the 341st Missile Wing of the Global Strike Command.

The Sun River Valley was a critical buffalo hunting ground thousands of years ago, and many historians believe it was the site of the largest Plains Indian’s battle. The Blackfeet were the last tribe to dominate this area. The journals from the Lewis and Clark expedition and other traders and explorers described them as brave, war-like people who dominated the best hunting areas. This part of Montana has many “buffalo jumps” known to the Indians as “Pishkuns” to study and explore.

A short list of area museums and cultural activities includes C.M. Russell Museum, Montana’s Cowboys Association Museum, Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center, Children’s Museum of Montana, Mehmke’s Steam Museum, Gibson Square Museum of Art, Ulm Pishkun, and Giant Springs State Park.

The seller will convey with the estate 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geo-thermal, hydrocarbon, solar, wind, and gravel rights it 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 property.

Electricity is provided by NorthWestern Energy, and natural gas is provided by Energy West.  Internet and telephone services are provided via Centurylink.

The real estate taxes for 2023 were approximately $6,774.

This estate has ample water rights to irrigate its 51 flood-irrigated acres. The irrigated portion of land has been leveled and is currently diked. This land is a good candidate for a center pivot, wheel line, or gated pipe irrigation system, if the new owner desires.

According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Rights Division, the estate owns two water rights for stock, lawn and garden, and domestic water.

Please view the brochure or contact the listing brokers for additional information.

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 of future viability.

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

The estate sits at about 3,320 feet above sea level throughout the majority of the property and rises to about 3,382 feet above sea level on the southern boundary of the property near the improvements along Sun River Road.

This area enjoys a comfortable climate throughout most of the year. July is the warmest month, with average high temperatures in the mid-80s and nighttime temperatures in the 50s. The coldest months are January and February, with average daily highs in the 30s. This valley’s annual precipitation is 14.5 inches, about half of which comes in May, June, and early July.

The estate is situated in Zone 4b Plant Hardiness Zone. On average there are 255 sunny days per year in the area.

Lying in the heart of Big Sky Country and boasting nearly a mile of Sun River frontage, irrigated bottom ground, mature trees, fish, and diverse game, this property offers virtually limitless recreational opportunities. The turnkey horse facilities are modern, well-planned, and organized, so a new owner will find outstanding value in them with limited maintenance and upkeep. It is ideal for the equestrian enthusiast with their remuda, and the estate is also an excellent fit for the horse or dog trainer looking for a commercial training or boarding operation. For those not bitten by the horse bug, the property is a premium getaway for professionals seeking an out-of-town feel while being close to amenities that the town provides. It would also work well as a wedding or event venue and has the capability to be a promising candidate for a conservation easement. With no HOA, the possibilities are nearly limitless.

TERMS OF INSPECTION

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 Sun River Estate. 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 Sun River Estate 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.