Located 20 miles north of Big Timber, this primarily deeded 9,000± acre ranch features stunning views of the Crazy and Absaroka mountains, a 350± acre private lake, and over 6.5 miles of Sweetgrass Creek, one of the area’s major trout fisheries. A well-balanced 300± animal unit operating ranch with 292± acres currently being irrigated, an extensive riparian corridor and strong upland pastures, the Crazy Waters Ranch offers a synergistic blend of recreation and production. Wildlife on the ranch covers a broad spectrum and includes whitetail and mule deer, sharptail and sage grouse, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, antelope, turkey, sandhill cranes and raptors – not to mention the extensive waterfowl populations that grace the lake, ponds and streams. A distinctive log home and multiple houses for guests, family and staff, as well as comprehensive livestock and ranch buildings, complete the picture. In summary, Crazy Waters is an honest operating ranch with dramatically beautiful views in a terrific community with one of the most complete set of recreational amenities we have ever seen on one contiguous private property all just over an hour from Bozeman.

Location
The Crazy Waters Ranch is located within Sweet Grass County in south-central Montana. The property is accessed from Big Timber by driving north on State Highway 191 for approximately 17.5 miles, then east 4± miles on the Cremer road to the Ranch. The town of Big Timber, population 2,500, provides all the necessities needed to operate the ranch. Major commercial air service is available within a one-and-one-half hour’s drive from the ranch, in both Billings and Bozeman. Big Timber, 30 miles, and Livingston, 50 miles to the west, have jet-capable community airports with 5,280 ft. and 5,700 ft. lighted, paved runways, respectively.

General description
The Crazy Waters Ranch is a large and diverse property in a pastoral setting, offering miles of cottonwood-lined streams, irrigated hay fields and a 365± acre reservoir. The exquisite owner’s residence is nestled in a prairie landscape with expansive views of the snowcapped granite peaks of the Crazy and Absaroka mountains. This area defines the point where the rolling northern prairie abruptly meets the Rocky Mountains and offers a great sense of place. Gentle rolling topography and a good interior road system make it easy to access the cottonwood bottoms, sage benches, irrigated crop-land and improvements.

One enters the ranch from the west, passing through fields of improved pasture, irrigated hay and native grass. Irrigated fields lie to the southwest as you gaze beyond them to focus on the beauty and enormity of the expansive landscape. Sweet Grass Creek, framed by a mature cottonwood bottom, bisects the ranch for nearly six-and-one-half miles. The owner’s residence is south of Sweet Grass Creek and is accessed by a sturdy wood-planked bridge along a private driveway. The residence, which is the most southerly located improvement on the ranch, is elevated above the creek and perched on a prairie grass knoll. From here commanding views of Upper Glaston Lake, and the Crazy and Absaroka mountains appear from nearly every room in the house. This log home shows wonderful pride of ownership as it is absolutely immaculate with an outdoor pool, well-groomed landscaping, irrigated lawn and a smattering of deciduous trees.

As one passes through the ranch some of its history becomes apparent as one moves by the corrals and becomes aware of the cowboys working the Black Angus herd the old-fashioned way - from a saddle - and they prefer that. While that heritage remains very much alive on the Crazy Waters Ranch, the current owner’s sporting interests are also very evident as noted by the abundance of wildlife and the well-protected fishery. It is this multi-faceted aspect that provides the depth that makes ranches like this become more interesting and exciting as the years and generations of ownership go by.

Acreage
The Crazy Waters Ranch is comprised of 9,210± total acres, including 8,330± acres of deeded land. The ranch is well blocked up and is one contiguous parcel. Within the boundaries of the ranch is Upper Glaston Lake. A portion of the lake is within the boundaries of a 240± acre parcel which is owned by the BLM. The lake has no public access.

Deeded Lands

Riparian corridor - 932± acres (292± acres irrigated, including pivot sprinklers for 70± acres)

Pasture-rangeland - 7,218± acres

Deeded lake - 150± surface acres

Improvement site - 30± acres

Total - 8,330± acres



Leased Lands

State Lands - 640± acres

BLM Land - 240± acres

Total Acreage - 9,210± acres

Public Leases

The Crazy Waters Ranch holds a State of Montana land lease on approximately 640 acres, legally described as T4N, R15E, Section 16.

Upper Glaston Lake covers approximately 350 surface acres when full. Approximately 150 of these lake-covered acres are owned by the ranch. Approximately 200 more lake-covered acres are owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). There are an additional 40± non-lake acres of adjoining BLM land for a total of 240± BLM acres at the lake. The ranch’s private deeded lands completely surround the lake and the BLM lands. The ranch does not lease this land, nor does anyone else. There is no public access to Glaston Lake or to the BLM land. Lower Glaston Lake, a few miles south of the ranch, does have public access and is often referred to as the Big Timber Yacht Club.

Broker comment
Rarely does the opportunity arise to purchase a ranch with all of the wonderful attributes that the Crazy Waters Ranch possesses, within easy striking distance of Bozeman. The combination of an efficient and self-contained agricultural operation with superior hunting and fishing is increasingly difficult to find in today’s Montana ranch market. These components combined with an impeccable owner’s residence, stunning mountain views and year-round access make the Crazy Waters Ranch the ultimately balanced ranch. We are pleased to have been chosen to bring this rare offering to the market and would be happy to provide any additional information to qualified prospects.