Red Hill Retreat

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OVERVIEW
LOCATION & ACCESS
RECREATIONAL AMENITIES

ABOUT RED HILL RETREAT

The Red Hill Retreat is a 1,627± acre blank canvas overlooking the captivating Pigeye Valley and the renowned Upper Judith River. Rising from the valley floor the ranch’s lower pastures flow to the distinguished Red Hill rim that acts as a natural transition into the high lush grass meadows complete with expansive views. Perimeter fencing is currently in place, and there are multiple scenic and secluded building sites with nearby power.

Currently utilized for summer cattle pasture, there is a developed spring in the lower pasture and a solar well in the upper pasture. With the Judith River Wildlife Management Area to the west, sportsmen will appreciate the opportunity to hunt quality elk, mule deer, and upland birds while the outdoor recreationists will enjoy the quick access to the endless trail systems throughout the Little Belt Mountains.

Charles M. Russell, the noteworthy artist of the American Old West frequently featured the area’s breathtaking landscape of the South Fork of the Judith River as his main subject. Red Hill Retreat is an idyllic, contiguous, and diverse land holding that provides multiple opportunities to enjoy all of the qualities Central Montana has to offer for ranchers, sportsmen, and recreationists alike.

Red Hill Retreat will give a new owner possibilities to enjoy one of the last ‘undiscovered’ mountain valleys in Montana. The Upper Judith River corridor provides excellent small river fly-fishing opportunities as well as chances at quality elk, mule Deer, white-tailed deer, upland birds, and waterfowl hunting. The scenery from Red Hill Retreat gives justification as to why Charles M. Russell made this place one of his favorite backdrops.

Not more than 40 miles west of Lewistown, Montana, are the charming small towns of Utica, Sapphire Village and Hobson, located adjacent to the Judith River and its tributaries.

UTICA

Known for its most famous resident, cowboy and painter Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), the small unincorporated town of Utica is still attracting visitors with its remote and beautiful landscapes. Primarily a cow town, both then and now, Russell’s “A Quiet Day in Utica” captures the two-block town as it was in the days of the Old West. Visitors can learn more about the history of the area at the Utica Museum. From adventures on the Judith River with its soaring cliffs, to the views of the Little Belt and Snowy Mountains, you are never far from natural beauty in Utica. Nearby recreation areas for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, boating and camping include the 9,408-acre Judith River Wildlife Management Area, Lewis and Clark National Forest and Ackley Lake State Park.

SAPPHIRE VILLAGE

Sapphire Village is a small town just upstream of the Pigeye Basin on the South Fork of the Judith River. The area is known for its prized Montana Yogo Sapphires, and the small mining community grew into what is known today as Sapphire Village. Discovered in the late 1800s by gold miner Jake Hoover, a contemporary of Russell, Yogo sapphires are always blue, the most desirable color. Today the sapphire mines are privately owned, but many hobby miners and landowners with digging rights are still out there searching for the cornflower blue gemstones and trading tales over drinks down at The Blue Nugget.

HOBSON

Cowboy, rancher and state senator S.S. Hobson is the namesake of this western outpost, the “Gateway to the Judith Basin”. In the days when the railroad was just branching out to this part of Montana, the town was settled by homesteaders who brought agriculture and then cattle to the area. Hobson remains a close knit farm and ranch community to this day, conveyed by the sign outside of the historic and recognizable grain elevators, declaring the town “The Pride of the Judith”. Don’t miss a drink and meal at Tall Boys Tavern, once the backdrop of a Jeff Bridges and Clint Eastwood movie.

DOMESTIC AIRPORTS

91 miles: Great Falls, MT (GTF) Great Falls International Airport

183 miles: Bozeman, MT (BZN / KBZN) Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

PRIVATE AIRPORTS

Lewistown Municipal Airport (LWT/KLWT) can accommodate a wide variety of private aircrafts. With three runways, the longest at 6,100 ft, this full service FBO airport is ideal for regional jet series sized aircrafts.

MIDDLE FORK OF THE JUDITH RIVER

Stretching from Little Belt Mountains all the way to the Missouri River, the Judith River spans 127 miles across Montana. The Middle Fork of the Judith River is an excellent area for canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing. Seasoned hikers and adventurers with high clearance vehicles can explore the well known Middle Fork trail, a challenging 20 miles out-and-back. The Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area designates the wildlands here as a “wilderness study area”, protecting the lands and wildlife from further development.

JUDITH RIVER WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

The nearby Judith River Wildlife Management Area, covering over 9,000 acres, is also an excellent place for wildlife viewing. Hunting is permitted for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope and black bear that inhabit the area and many smaller species can be observed (although not hunted) by visitors.