Sun River Equestrian Estate is a 66.8± acre equestrian and outdoorsman’s estate, boasting nearly a mile of Sun River frontage. Approximately 51 acres are currently irrigated hay fields. The remaining acreage mainly consists of mature trees and river-bottom riparian habitat that provides a home to many types of wildlife.

This property includes two modern, comfortable homes, an indoor arena, eight horse paddocks, and several outbuildings for storing hay, tack, and equipment.

The location offers quick access to Great Falls, Montana, with its international airport and a full complement of services. Some of the world’s best trout fishing can be found on the Missouri River in Craig, 30 minutes from the property.

Sun River Equestrian Estate, in central Montana, is five minutes west of Great Falls, the state’s third largest city. Great Falls is home to an international airport, fine dining, shopping, and many cultural activities. The town is a farming and shipping center. It is also home to Malmstrom Air Force Base. This area offers some of the nation’s best opportunities to experience authentic Western music, culture, and cowboy art. The cowboy town of Augusta, known as the gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Rocky Mountain Front, is about an hour to the west, and the state capital of Helena is an hour and twenty-minute drive to the south. The authentic farm town of Choteau and Freezout Lake Recreation Area are 20 minutes north.

The property lies in the shadow of Shaw and Square Buttes, two massive plateaus that make for an incredible backdrop to the property. The beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front, Square and Shaw Buttes, the Sun River Valley, and the large expanses of rolling farms and pasture land attract visitors and residents to this area. This part of the state remains overlooked by most tourists; it feels more like old-time Montana. After one visit, it will become apparent how much this area offers. This estate is accessed from Sun River Road, which is paved to the property and is about a mile’s drive, walk, or float (down the Sun River) to Great Falls and the Missouri River.

Approximate distances to other towns and cities are as follows:

This 66.8± acre property boasts nearly a mile of Sun River frontage, which makes up over three-quarters of the property boundary. There are approximately 51 acres of irrigated hay fields, the remainder being river frontage, riparian habitat horse paddocks, and homesteads. The habitat on the property is in excellent condition and could be easily improved with food plots and farming.

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

•  66.8± Deeded Acres
  • 51±Acres of Irrigated Hay Fields
  • 10±Acres of River Frontage & Riparian Habitat
  • 5.8±Acres Under Improvements

Sun River Equestrian Estate has multiple functional improvements that appear to be well maintained. The main home is ideal for the owner, while the second home is a logical choice for a ranch manager or to use as a rental home for additional income. The horse facilities are nicely designed and function well for either an English or Western horse enthusiast.

MAIN HOME

The 2,100± square-foot ranch-style home was built in 1992. The three-bedroom-four-bathroom home has an open kitchen and living room area with big windows that look out over the property and the river. The master bedroom and laundry room are on the main floor providing easy one-level living, and two additional bedrooms are on the lower level. Enjoy the view from the large deck or lower-level outdoor seating area. The spacious three-car garage has plenty of room for cars or storage.

SECOND HOME

The 1,350± square-foot two-bedroom and two-bathroom home is ideal for guests or as a manager’s house. Built in 2003, the ranch-style home is fully handicap accessible and has a two-car attached garage.

INDOOR ARENA & ROUND PEN

There is a 72′ x 140′ indoor arena with three stalls, plus an outdoor round pen.

PADDOCKS & PASTURES

Eight separate paddocks each have a shelter providing shade and cover during inclement weather. Three pastures, specifically fenced with a horse-friendly fencing system, are located conveniently near the barns. You will also find multiple outbuildings for equipment, hay, storage, and tack.

EQUESTRIAN PURSUITS

Sun River Valley is the home of Montana’s performance quarter horse industry. Horsemen and women will notice quality horseflesh standing or working in pastures up and down the valley. Well-known operations like the Bird Tail Ranch operate successful breeding programs with a bloodline that goes back to the legendary quarter horse stallion Steel Dust.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are popular winter outdoor activities. Three community downhill ski areas, including Teton Pass, Great Divide, and Showdown Ski Areas are all within an easy 1.5 hour drive of the Sun River Equestrian Estate.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

In the summertime, there are numerous lakes, streams, and rivers in the area where folks enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and hanging out. Exploring the wilderness and mountains on horseback or hiking will provide days of fun and adventure every year.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Freezeout Lake Recreational Area, a popular destination for bird watchers, is approximately 15 miles away. Up to 300,000 snow geese and 10,000 tundra swans can be seen simultaneously. Other birds include ibis, cranes, herons, and shorebirds of many types rarely seen in different parts of Montana.

This corner of Montana may be most known for the backdrop for much of Charles M. Russell’s best artwork. Rich in history, this area was home to Native Americans, cowboys, farmers, trappers, and traders.

Great Falls’ history starts with the Missouri River and the waterfalls from which it gets its name. Lewis and Clark “discovered” the Great Falls of the Missouri on their expedition in 1805 where Lewis described them as “a sublimely grand specticle [sic]… the grandest sight I had ever held.”

Where the city now sits, the Missouri River drops over 500 feet in a series of rapids and five waterfalls – the “great falls” of the Missouri. The city was founded in 1884, and in short order, boasted streetlights and the largest opera house between Minneapolis and Spokane. In 1942, just outside Great Falls, construction began on Malmstrom Air Force Base, now home to the 341st Missile Wing of the Global Strike Command.

The Sun River Valley was a critical buffalo hunting ground thousands of years ago, and many historians believe it was the site of the largest Plains Indian’s battle. The Blackfeet were the last tribe to dominate this area. The journals from the Lewis and Clark expedition and other traders and explorers described them as brave, war-like people who dominated the best hunting areas. This part of Montana has many “buffalo jumps” known to the Indians as “Pishkuns” to study and explore.

A short list of area museums and cultural activities includes C.M. Russell Museum, Montana’s Cowboys Association Museum, Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center, Children’s Museum of Montana, Mehmke’s Steam Museum, Gibson Square Museum of Art, Ulm Pishkun, and Giant Springs State Park.

The seller will convey with the estate 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.

Electricity is provided by NorthWestern Energy, and natural gas is provided by Energy West.  Internet and telephone services are provided via Centurylink.

The real estate taxes for 2023 were approximately $6,774.

This estate has ample water rights to irrigate its 51 flood-irrigated acres. The irrigated portion of land has been leveled and is currently diked. This land is a good candidate for a center pivot, wheel line, or gated pipe irrigation system, if the new owner desires.

According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Water Rights Division, the estate owns two water rights for stock, lawn and garden, and domestic water.

Please view the brochure or contact the listing brokers for additional information.

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 estate will be conveyed to the buyer at the closing of a sale.

The estate sits at about 3,320 feet above sea level throughout the majority of the property and rises to about 3,382 feet above sea level on the southern boundary of the property near the improvements along Sun River Road.

This area enjoys a comfortable climate throughout most of the year. July is the warmest month, with average high temperatures in the mid-80s and nighttime temperatures in the 50s. The coldest months are January and February, with average daily highs in the 30s. This valley’s annual precipitation is 14.5 inches, about half of which comes in May, June, and early July.
The estate is situated in Zone 4b Plant Hardiness Zone. On average there are 255 sunny days per year in the area.

Lying in the heart of Big Sky Country and boasting nearly a mile of Sun River frontage, irrigated bottom ground, mature trees, fish, and diverse game, this property offers virtually limitless recreational opportunities. The turnkey horse facilities are modern, well-planned, and organized, so a new owner will find outstanding value in them with limited maintenance and upkeep. It is ideal for the equestrian enthusiast with their remuda, and the estate is also an excellent fit for the horse or dog trainer looking for a commercial training or boarding operation. For those not bitten by the horse bug, the property is a premium getaway for professionals seeking an out-of-town feel while being close to amenities that the town provides. It would also work well as a wedding or event venue and has the capability to be a promising candidate for a conservation easement. The possibilities are nearly limitless.

TERMS OF INSPECTION

The Sellers reserve the right to effect a tax-deferred exchange for other real property in accordance with provisions in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Buyer will not be required to incur any additional expenses nor to step into the chain of title on any property which the Seller may acquire.

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change, or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Sellers.  Information regarding land classifications, acreages, carrying capacities, crop yields, potential profits, hunting districts and regulations, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Sellers or Swan Land Company.  Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction.

The Seller is making known to all potential purchasers that there may be variations between the property lines and the location of the existing fence boundary lines on Sun River Equestrian Estate. The Seller makes no warranties with regard to the location of the fence lines in relationship to the property lines, nor does the Seller make any warranties or representations with regard to specific acreage within the fenced property lines.

The Seller is selling Sun River Equestrian Estate in an “as is” condition which includes the location of the fences as they now exist. Boundaries shown on any accompanying maps are approximate. The maps are not to scale and are for orientation purposes only. The accuracy of the maps and information portrayed thereon is not guaranteed nor warranted.