Bitterroot Mountain Retreat 4,667± ACRES - Bitterroot Valley, montana

Location

Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is located in western Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, several miles east of Corvallis and 20 miles north of Hamilton, the valley’s largest community with a population of around 5,000. Commercial air service is provided at Missoula by Delta, United, Allegiant, Frontier, and Alaska, while the nearby Ravalli County Airport is a private, jet-capable airstrip with a 5,200-foot runway and FBO services.

Locale

The Bitterroot Valley in Montana is renowned for its stunning scenery and convenient amenities. Bordered by the jagged peaks of the Bitterroot Range to the west and the gentle slopes of the Sapphire Range to the east, it serves as the gateway to the largest wilderness complex in the lower 48 states. Despite its natural beauty, the valley is also home to populous communities like Hamilton and offers recreational opportunities such as legendary dry fly fishing on the Bitterroot River and skiing at the nearby Lost Trail Ski Area.

Missoula, just an hour away, adds to the valley's appeal with its medical facilities, university, arts scene, and technology sector, making it a vibrant and accessible destination.

General Description

The Bitterroot Mountain Retreat features a picturesque landscape transitioning from open native range to forested hillsides, offering expansive views of foothill prairies and diverse topography. With open lower areas providing habitat for wildlife and grazing for livestock, ascending through meadows reveals forested ridges and canyons, offering essential cover for elk and deer.

Hidden meadows and seasonal streams add to the allure of the property, while its location in the west-facing foothills of the Sapphire Mountain Range provides stunning views of the jagged Bitterroot Mountains.

Improvements

The Bitterroot Mountain Retreat is lightly yet thoughtfully improved, allowing a new owner to finish the build-out to suit their needs.

Lodge

The centerpiece of this recreation-oriented ranch is its world-class hunting lodge situated near the northern boundary.

The lodge’s kitchen intended to host larger groups, is efficiently designed with commercial-grade appliances and a long banquet-style dining table.

The great room, with its vaulted ceilings, offers cozy seating around the flagstone fireplace, game tables, and wet bar. The mud room provides individual cubbies for gear storage for up to twelve hunters, while a shipping container has been cleverly converted to provide processing space and cold storage for harvested game.

Offering two bunk rooms and a master bedroom, the lodge offers comfortable sleeping and bathroom accommodation for 12 people.

Cabins

Situated near the southern boundary of the ranch at roughly 5,200 feet are two comfortable and richly appointed off-grid cabins, suitable to accommodate several guests each.

Both cabins have full kitchens with professional-style appliances, three-quarter bathrooms, wood heat, and generator power.

The cabin compound offers many creature comforts, including wrap-around decks with outdoor seating and fire pits.

The location on the southern portion of the ranch, separated from the main lodge, allows hunters to spread out for more efficient utilization of the big game resource.

Climate

The Bitterroot Valley, situated at just under 4,200 feet above sea level, benefits from a mild climate influenced by the Pacific Northwest, earning it the nickname "Banana Belt" of Montana.

With fewer than 20 days of high temperatures exceeding 90F annually and winter daytime highs usually in the mid-30s, the valley experiences infrequent high winds, making it a desirable location for its temperate weather conditions.

General Operation

Grazing

In years past, Bitterroot Mountain Retreat has typically leased out its summer range, accommodating up to 150 pairs from late spring until early fall, often with a break in September to take advantage of archery season. The ranch is fully fenced and cross-fenced, allowing for rotational and/or intensive grazing. Working corrals with water are conveniently located near the off-grid cabins to assist in moving animals.

Montana State Grazing Lease

The ranch benefits from one 194 AUM state of Montana grazing lease, located on a landlocked, 640-acre section near the geographic center of the deeded ground. The lease runs through February of 2026.

Timber

While the current owners have completed limited selective logging for fire mitigation and forest health, significant timber value remains with vast stands of accessible Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Western larch. Those interested in more information on this natural resource should consult a forestry expert.

Water Resources

A well-designed network of tanks has been developed from natural springs and solar wells providing stock water throughout the ranch. Additionally, two domestic wells are in place serving the main lodge and cabin complex. Information on water rights and well logs is available upon request.

Development Considerations

The southern portion of the ranch has been subdivided into thirty 20±-acre lots, most with sweeping views of the valley and Bitterroot Mountains beyond.

Seven of the lots near the ranch entrance have grid power already in place. Further development would minimally impact the operational and sporting amenities yet could provide a significant offset in acquisition costs.

Buyers who see development as an option are encouraged to contact the Ravalli County Planning Department in Hamilton, Montana, for more information on the development process.