NF Ranch on the Musselshell River presents an exceptional investment opportunity just four miles from Roundup, Montana. This expansive 4,531 deeded acre ranch offers abundant recreational opportunities and agricultural potential. With extensive Musselshell River frontage and a lush riparian corridor, the ranch offers a perfect blend of native pasture, dryland and irrigated crop ground including pivot and flood irrigation systems. The ranch features functional facilities suitable for livestock operations and two homes with comfortable living spaces. Ideal for those seeking a versatile Montana property, the NF Ranch appeals to outdoor enthusiasts, hunters targeting birds and big game, fishing aficionados, and agricultural investors alike. This rare offering combines recreational possibilities with productive land, presenting a unique chance to own a piece of Montana's rich landscape. This ranch seamlessly merges natural splendor with practical amenities in one of Montana's most sought-after regions.

NF Ranch on the Musselshell River in central Montana is just under four miles east of the ranch town of Roundup, the Musselshell County seat. Highway 12 bisects the ranch from east to west and provides easy access year-round. Billings, the states largest city, is about an hour to the south and Lewistown is just over an hour to the northwest. The Musselshell River runs through the middle of the ranch for about three miles.

Roundup, Montana offers basic amenities for small-town living. The community has a few local restaurants, a grocery store, and essential services like a library and post office. The school system, which is K-12, serves about 450 students. The Roundup Independence Day Extravaganza will be celebrating its 20th year in 2025. This five-day celebration includes live music, with past musicians such as Rodney Adkins, a carnival, parades, Kids Kountry, a shooting competition, and two days of rodeo.

Musselshell County is sparsely populated and rural by any definition with an estimated population of around 5,200 across a county that spans over 1,800 square miles.

NF Ranch on the Musselshell River has been run with an emphasis on wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation but also has significant potential for agricultural production. The ag production has been leased to a neighbor who has been able to tailor his farming and grazing to enhance game and non-game animals.

The acreage classifications for the ranch are generally described as follows:

4,531.62 Total Deeded Acres

Rangeland- 4,028.38

Riparian Corridor- 262.37

Irrigated-flood- 145.04

Irrigated-pivot- 85.83

Homesite- 10.00

Improvements-

The ranch boasts two homes and a full complement of barns, sheds, shops, and corrals. There are also two modern pivots to accompany the flood-irrigated acres.

The original ranch home was built in 1912 with three bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms in 1,500 square feet of living space. The 24 by 40 pole-barn-styled garage is currently used for parking and storage. Multiple outbuildings lie within the farmstead including a large barn that measures approximately 40 by 100, two livestock sheds, and a small set of corrals. Nearby to the north, a 150 by 30 calving barn is usable but needs repairs and maintenance.

The second home, constructed in 1976, has 1,446 square feet of living space with an attached 528-square-foot two-car garage. A 22 by 35 pole building with a concrete floor sits adjacent to the home and can serve as extra garage bays or general storage.

Wildlife, Hunting & Fishing-

Central Montana is a dream come true for big game hunters! With abundant populations of elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and antelope it is hard to choose what to chase. The ranch lies in hunting districts 535 and 590 for deer and elk, and districts 536 and 596 for pronghorn antelope; the Musselshell River being the dividing line between districts. With this region of the state boasting thousands of acres of BLM, state land, and Block Management Land, hunting opportunities are endless. Whether you choose an outfitter or a DIY hunt, we hope to see you for your next hunting adventure in Central Montana.

Being in Roundup means you are just a short drive away from more than 20 lakes, 400 rivers and streams, and 20 reservoirs. The waters around Roundup are home to warm-water fish including largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, walleye, bluegill, bowfin, bullhead, catfish, crappie, and more. From lakes and ponds to rivers and streams, Montana is filled with fishing adventures waiting for you to dive in.

The Musselshell River is a great example of a river out-of-staters might never have heard of. Dont be surprised to find smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, catfish, northern pike, carp, and other species downstream of Roundup.

The Musselshell River has been and continues to be a premier spot for catfish and many other warm-water species. Private land ownership and lack of road access in the area make this river relatively untapped. From Roundup to where the river dumps into Fort Peck Reservoir is one of the top hangouts for Mr. Whiskers in the entire Midwest according to the Montana Catfish Association.

Are you looking for a nearby tee time? Check out Pine Ridge Golf Course in Roundup just off Main Street. Golf season in Montana typically runs from May through October. Roundup is a community that takes pride in its parks, ball fields, tennis courts, and swimming pool. There is also a well-maintained shooting range for archery, rifle, pistol, and shotgunners. In addition, the museum, the river, and the historic walk are great ways to spend an afternoon.

Area History-

During the 19th century, Roundup was the trailhead for the Great Centennial Cattle Drive when cattle were driven through the western states to be shipped out East. The valleys geography made it perfect to round up cattle for the long journey.

Roundup served as a place for pioneers and coal miners to live and work. Coal and agriculture maintained the towns economy.

The town of Roundup was officially established by virtue of a post office in 1883 across the Musselshell River to the south of present-day Roundup on the McMillan Ranch. The name was chosen because of the numerous annual roundups of cattle on the open range that extended from the far upper reaches of the Musselshell River to the Lower Musselshell River. The heyday of open-range livestock grazing boomed through the early to mid-1880s. Roundups were most successful when stockmen worked together, relying on the honor system to sort cattle, brand calves, and ship the animals by rail for sale in the more populous eastern United States. Stockmen had plenty of other reasons to cooperate wolves, coyotes, rustlers, and newcomers all were a threat to their cattle. No one could survive without the help of fellow ranchers.

Ranch History-

NF Ranch, also known as Northfields Ranch, near Roundup, Montana, boasts a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Initially owned by James Hightower, the ranch was later acquired by Harold Lowther, an Englishman who significantly expanded its operations. Under Lowthers ownership, NF Ranch became renowned for its extensive cattle operations, spanning thousands of acres across the Musselshell Valley.

A notable feature of the ranch was a luxurious homesteading cabin owned by Lowther and his partner, Cecil Clifton. This cabin stood out for its opulent interior, featuring dark wood furniture, marble, leather, and remarkably, the only piano between Billings and Lewistown at the time. This unique amenity transformed the ranch into a social hub, hosting musical gatherings and community events that brought together people from across the region.

NF Ranch played a significant role during Montanas homesteading era and weathered challenges such as the devastating winter of 1886-87, which decimated cattle populations throughout the state. Cliftons interest in exotic animals, including rare breeds of chickens and rabbits, added to the ranchs distinctive character.

Today, the legacy of NF Ranch lives on through a preserved portion of the historic cabin, now housed at the Musselshell Valley Historical Museum in Roundup. This exhibit serves as a testament to the regions rich ranching heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the vibrant history of this once-thriving cattle operation and its impact on the local community.

Utilities & Service

Electricity is provided by Fergus Electric.

Internet can be provided by HughesNet, Viasat, and EarthLink Wireless Home Internet, and Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative can supply landline service.

Good cellular coverage in most locations throughout the ranch is available via Verizon.

Real Estate Taxes-

The real estate taxes for 2023 were approximately $7,436.

Mineral Rights-

The seller will convey with the ranch 100% of whatever mineral, oil, gas, geo-thermal, hydrocarbon, solar, wind, and gravel rights it owns, subject to reservations by previous owners. The seller makes no representation as to the quantity or quality of any mineral or other subsurface rights appurtenant to the property.

Water Rights-

According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservations Water Rights Division, the ranch owns 17 water rights, including 6 irrigation rights, 2 domestic rights, and 9 stock rights. Please reach out to the listing brokers for detailed information.

NF Ranch on the Musselshell boasts ample water rights including those for stock, domestic, flood, and pivot irrigation. There are two modern center pivot systems, which are both, at least in part, powered by solar panels on the ranch.

All water rights in Montana are subject to eventual re-adjudication by the Montana Water Court and, as a result of that process, may be changed as to the validity, amount, priority date, place of use, and other such changes as the Court determines. The seller has made all the filings currently required and will transfer the water rights as they currently stand with no warranty of future viability.

All water rights appurtenant to and for the benefit of the ranch will be conveyed to the buyer at the closing of a sale.

Elevation & Climate-

The ranch lies on the mid-latitude steppe, between 3,100 and 3,400 feet in elevation, and enjoys a mild climate with an extensive temperature range.

The Roundup, Montana area annually receives about 13 to 15 inches of rain with the majority falling in May and June, and an average of 35 inches of snowfall with the majority falling in December and January.

Summer months are quite warm with average highs of 86 degrees Fahrenheit and evening lows around 55 degrees. Indian summer can linger until mid-October. Winter months bring highs of approximately 37 degrees with lows around 18 degrees.

The ranch is situated in Zone 4b Plant Hardiness Zone. On average there are 209 sunny days per year in the area.