Southwest Montana keeps the western spirit alive with its mixture of rugged landscapes, humbling wildlife, and fantastic company. Here you’ll find a treasure trove of friendly, lively communities and intriguing 19th-century ghost towns. You’ll meet a diverse mix of friendly people and have opportunities to glimpse the same wildlife Lewis and Clark encountered more than two centuries ago. When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll find gems of places to rest your head – from campsites along crystal streams to lavish Western resorts. Colorful murals decorate the main streets of Whitehall that depict the infamous adventures of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which passed right by the Jefferson River. Many Historic buildings are still used today that keep the spirit of the West a focal point. With a grand total of 3,000 population, Whitehall summers are filled with local farmers markets, and the famous Whitehall Frontier Days rodeo.

The average high temperature during the hot season is at an enjoyable 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high temperature during the coldest months is a comfortable 46 degrees Fahrenheit. All 4 seasons are enjoyed without the harsh extremes. Conveniently located just 5 minutes South of Whitehall on a well maintained paved road, the Lazy TP sits 60 minutes from Downtown Bozeman and Montana State University, 30 minutes from Butte and Montana Technological University, and just a little over 100 miles to the notorious Yellowstone National Park. Commercial air service is 45 minutes away at the Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport. The Bert Mooney Airport 20 minutes away accommodates private jet services.

HOUSING

There are multiple, modest housing amenities on the Lazy TP Ranch. The historic, 4 bedroom ranch house sits near the headquarters and horse barn. The 4 bedroom manager’s house with detached garage is close by and overlooks the river. Additional housing structures include a 7 bedroom modular “hunting camp” and an older, ready-to-use 3 bedroom structure ideal for employee housing. The ranch also has multiple scenic and private building sites that are ideal for a future custom owner’s residence.

OUTBUILDINGS

At the main ranch hub sits a functional large machine shop, with 4 individual garage doors that allow for proper equipment storage and easy maintenance, 2 of the shop bays are insulated and heated. Multiple outbuildings are conveniently placed throughout the property, as well as a horse barn, scale house, and calving shed.

FENCES & WORKING FACILITIES

Throughout the property, all of the fences are in superb condition and built to last. The majority of the perimeter fencing is 5 strands of barbed wire, with sturdy treated wood posts. There are 4 sets of heavy duty working corrals throughout the ranch, with customized steel fences to ensure a safe facility for cattle and or bison.

Water rights are considered by many to be Montana’s most valuable asset. In Montana, a water right is a piece of real property, registered with the state of Montana and The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The Lazy TP Ranch currently irrigates 1340 +/- acres using 13 center pivots and 1 wheel-line. The ranch owns several Jefferson River surface water rights and also owns substantial Parrot Ditch Company shares.

The westernmost pivot is pumped via irrigation storage pond, and the southernmost is pumped from an irrigation well. There are multiple spring collection and pipeline systems that deliver readily available water to every pasture. Westphall Creek starts at the highest point on the southernmost end of the ranch and runs for 4+ miles, providing a dependable water source for wildlife and livestock alike. All water & mineral rights owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing.

Historically ran as a cow/calf operation, the Lazy TP in recent years has integrated Bison into it’s ranch operations. From the flourishing river bottom, the ranch transitions into 1,340+/- irrigated acres watered by 13 pivots that produce over 5,000 tons of hay annually endowed by massive senior Jefferson River surface water rights and Parrot Ditch Company shares.

The Lazy TP Ranch can support 500-800 Animal Units depending on management strategies such as intensive grazing of irrigated ground, or the choice to maximize hay production. The ranch has state of the art steel cattle handling facilities and a 1800 hd capacity feedlot. The handling facilities and feedlot are comprised of heavy duty bison capable corrals and equipment. Operation improvements include a 40,000 lbs. certified scale, multiple calving barns, and indoor heated chute house with a hydraulic Silencer chute.

HUNTING & WILDLIFE

A consistent herd of 200-300 elk frequent the ranch as well as trophy whitetail and mule deer all available through an over the counter hunting tag. It is common to see a handful of moose stroll through the thick brush of the river bottom and multiple antelope can be found in the mountain foothills. On occasion, a black bear can be spotted in the high timber areas. Wing shooters will appreciate the abundance and diversity of bird species available at the ranch. Waterfowl include Canadian geese and mallard ducks who inhabit the waterways and ponds throughout the North half of the ranch. Pheasants are plentiful throughout the river corridor along with a healthy turkey population. Hungarian partridge and sharp-tail grouse are commonly found on the ranch as well.

JEFFERSON RIVER

Flowing almost 80 miles through one of the most picturesque valleys in the state of Montana, the Jefferson River is formed by three Blue Ribbon trout rivers — the Beaverhead, Big Hole, and Ruby Rivers. From the confluence of these great rivers just behind Twin Bridges, the Jefferson River winds through hay meadows, cottonwood forests and canyon walls before joining the Madison and Gallatin Rivers in the town of Three Forks, forming the Missouri River.

FISHING

The ranch offers 4.65+ miles of private fishing access on the main branch of the Jefferson River as well as 2.75+ miles of private Jefferson Slough frontage. The new owners of Lazy TP Ranch will enjoy summer wade fishing and also have the opportunity to catch trophy brown trout during the fall months. There is also the ability to fish from a drift boat at one of the easily accessible boat launches nearby.