Wyoming Ranches: A Western Legacy

by John Pierce, Associate Broker

Jackson Hole is a spectacular place with incredible scenery and a myriad of activities. The community is robust and offers a plethora of opportunities to distract, entertain, amuse and even challenge one’s body and senses. For some, the selection of a Rocky Mountain escape entails straying a bit further afield when seeking a property truly emblematic of the old West. Some may choose a home in the outer reaches of Teton County, but for a few families, looking for a legacy property means considering a ranch.

When contemplating the purchase of a ranch there are a host of considerations investors need to analyze. Much like that first fishing trip on a large western river, the hunt for a great ranch is smoother and considerably more productive when you place yourself in the hands of a professional. The best ‘guides’ are seasoned and experienced ranch brokers who have covered the rocky mountain region for decades. They not only understand these numerous considerations, but they also help buyers understand just what the initial questions should be in order to guide them to the right property. Ranches are quite varied in size, scope, amenities, access, aesthetics and operations. A great deal of time and money can be wasted running down the wrong “chiseler holes” in search of the right ranch property.

Wyoming, with its favorable tax laws, is often a place in which many buyers begin, and then narrow down from there. Western and central Wyoming, and everything around the National Parks, draw numerous ranch investors due to the incomparable aesthetics. Ranch buyers usually envision big views, fishing, hunting and a sense of privacy. For the few that are actively seeking the cattle business as a way of life, aesthetics are often sacrificed to achieve a more viable economic package. In other words, the most highly efficient working ranches aren’t typically set in the mountains where the best hunting and fishing is usually found. For the recreational ranch investors, selecting a ranch with the “right” acres as opposed to the “most” acres usually makes the most sense. A smaller acreage property that has the diversity in landscape, direct access to National Forest and a river flowing through can be much more enjoyable than a great big place with a whole bunch of acres that “just hold the world together.”

Two such properties currently available in Wyoming are the Majo Ranch with its unparalleled setting at the head of the famous South Fork outside of Cody and the Wood River Ranch with its world class hunting and fishing, magnificent improvements and beautiful setting just outside of Meeteetse. Both ranches provide the opportunity to create a legacy family retreat in a world class setting where unplugging truly is the new luxury and reconnecting with family and friends happens in an intimate and adventurous way.

Summer Catalog of Fine Properties Available Now

The finest properties in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley are listed within the  Summer 2018 Catalog of Fine Properties and the West Side of the Tetons brochure. Look for them at one of twelve sales offices throughout the region or contact a sales agent for the most up-to-date real estate offerings throughout the region.