As we head into the new year, here’s a snapshot of the biggest ranches for sale throughout the United States. At a combined acreage of over 2.2 million acres, this collection of ranches and farmland represents the sprawling and monumental diversity of land for sale across the country!
Cover image: The Pitchfork Ranch, Wyoming
Read more: 10 Most Expensive Ranches for Sale in America
#10 The Golden Basin Ranch, Oregon | 83,341 Acres
The Golden Basin Ranch, an expansive 83,341± acre property ideally situated within a 25-minute drive from Bend, OR. This remarkable ranch, located in the high desert of Central Oregon, presents an unparalleled opportunity. Boasting a seamless “out the gate” operational design, the property allows for the management of 600 AUMs across BLM and Forest Service allotments. Pragmatic facilities such as a 4-bedroom house, 30×60 shop, hay shed, calving/horse barn, scales, bunkhouse, and corrals aid in the operation. With its strategic location, diverse features, and logical infrastructure, the Golden Basin Ranch stands as a unique investment opportunity for those seeking a premier property in Central Oregon.
#9 Haystack River Ranch, Wyoming | 92,000 Acres
Haystack River Ranch, a vast Wyoming property encompassing over 92,000 acres of deeded and leased land along the North Platte River, presents a unique investment opportunity. This established low-overhead cattle operation benefits from irrigated meadows fed by the river, numerous springs, and stock ponds, supporting over 9,000 AUMs. The ranch’s diverse landscape, ranging from river bottomland to the Haystack Mountains, provides habitat for abundant big game, upland birds, and waterfowl, offering excellent hunting opportunities. The North Platte itself is a renowned trout fishery, home to brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout, attracting anglers from across the country. Beyond its agricultural and recreational value, Haystack River Ranch also holds potential for energy leasing, environmental credits, and tourism, making it a compelling investment with diverse revenue streams.
#8 The Pitchfork Ranch, Wyoming | 96,115 Acres
The historic Pitchfork Ranch, established in 1878 in northwest Wyoming, is a rare offering of contiguous acreage totaling 96,115 acres. This working cattle ranch comprises 13,886 deeded acres interspersed with 44,984 acres of Forest Service permits, 31,600 acres of state land, and 5,645 acres of BLM ground. Owner-rated to sustain 1,300 cows year-round, the ranch boasts abundant year-round springs, including a spring-fed headquarters supplying both house and yard water. Extensive infrastructure improvements include eight houses at the headquarters, quality working facilities, several barns, and a unique natural gas line for cost-effective utilities. Sold as a turnkey operation, the Pitchfork comes fully stocked with a high-quality, locally adapted cow herd and all necessary operating equipment, ideally suited to the high desert and mountain environment.
#7 Elk Mountain Cattle Ranch, Colorado | 120,000 Acres
Imagine a sprawling Colorado landscape, where the romance of the Old West meets modern opportunity. The Elk Mountain Cattle Ranch, a vast 120,000-acre expanse (30,000 deeded, 90,000 leased), lies nestled within the heart of South Park, a federally designated National Heritage Area steeped in ranching history. This remarkable property, just a short drive from Denver and Colorado Springs, offers a rare chance to own a piece of this iconic region. Encompassed by majestic 14,000-foot peaks and cradled by the headwaters of the South Platte River, the ranch boasts over 30 miles of pristine rivers and creeks, alongside thousands of surface acres of stored water within Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile Canyon Reservoirs. This working ranch supports a thriving cow-calf and bison operation, run by a dedicated four-generation family. Beyond its agricultural significance, Elk Mountain is a sportsman’s paradise, offering world-class hunting for trophy elk, mule deer, and pronghorn, coupled with exceptional private fly fishing along the Middle Fork of the South Platte. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a significant Colorado ranch investment is now available for the first time.
#6 Sand Arroyo Ranch, Arizona | 160,000 Acres
Embrace the romance of the West at the Sand Arroyo Ranch, a sprawling 160,000± acre cattle empire nestled in the heart of Wickenburg, Arizona, the Team Roping Capital of the World. This exceptional property offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Western heritage, where rolling desert landscapes meet dramatic rock hills and distant mountains, creating a breathtaking backdrop for a thriving 900-head cattle operation. Imagine waking in one of the two charming owner’s residences or welcoming guests to the additional well-appointed homes, then stepping out to gather your horse from the lush irrigated pastures and riding to a local roping event. With deeded land, state leases, and BLM grazing permits, this $12,000,000 ranch boasts abundant water resources, including numerous wells and dirt tanks, and flourishing vegetation, from grama grasses to mesquite and palo verde. The Sand Arroyo Ranch isn’t just a working cattle ranch; it’s a lifestyle, a chance to own a legacy in the vibrant heart of Arizona’s ranching country.
#5 Lucky 7 Ranch, Nevada | 168,971 Acres
The romance of the American West strikes again at the Lucky 7 Ranch, a sprawling cattle empire nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Oregon and Nevada. This exceptional working ranch encompasses nearly 170,000 acres, including 6,700 deeded acres and a vast 162,271-acre BLM grazing allotment, a testament to its scale and operational excellence. Imagine sun-drenched days spent tending 2,000 expertly managed animal units, producing high-grade protein against the dramatic backdrop of the Owyhee Desert, Trout Creek Mountains, and Santa Rosa Range. Here, experienced cowboys uphold time-honored ranching traditions, their bond with horses and loyal dogs a living testament to the cowboy spirit. The Lucky 7 Ranch, a beacon of sustainable ranching, offers an unparalleled opportunity to own a piece of this iconic Western landscape, benefiting from economical feed, abundant water resources, and top-tier facilities in the heart of prime cattle country. Discover the ultimate Western ranch for sale and invest in a legacy.
#4 Diamond Bar & Music Mountain Ranch, Arizona | 205,795 Acres
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits in the heart of Arizona: the Diamond Bar and Music Mountain Ranches, offered together for the first time. This expansive estate encompasses 376.51 deeded acres, a vast 205,419-acre BLM grazing lease, and thousands more in adverse grazing land, creating a cattleman’s dream with a 615+ AU carrying capacity, capable of supporting nearly 1,000 head. Imagine owning a ranch with a natural border formed by the majestic Grand Canyon, encompassing iconic landscapes like Lake Mead Park, Columbine Falls, and the dramatic Grand Wash Cliffs. A charming 1941 headquarters house, complete with corrals and barns, provides a central hub, while numerous wells, springs, and working pens ensure abundant water and operational efficiency. Steeped in Wild West history—once part of a 1.4 million-acre empire in the 1880s and linked to figures of the era—this property offers an unparalleled opportunity for cattle ranching, with the added potential for a captivating dude ranch experience, all set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Grand Canyon. This is more than just land; it’s a chance to own a piece of American history.
#3 Great Western Ranch, New Mexico | 225,582 Acres
Spanning a staggering 504,801± total acres—an area encompassing approximately 76 percent of Rhode Island—the Great Western Ranch represents one of the largest single landholdings in the United States. Located in western New Mexico, near Quemado and Fence Lake, this exceptional property encompasses 225,582± deeded acres, complemented by 109,192± acres of state lease and 167,593± acres of BLM leased land. This vast expanse is strategically positioned in a region renowned for both prolific big game and optimal livestock grazing. The ranch boasts an abundance of water resources, including 86 operational wells (mostly solar or electric), hundreds of dirt tanks, ponds, and small lakes, supporting what could be one of the nation’s largest livestock operations. Approximately 2,230± miles of fencing and 134± pastures facilitate efficient livestock management. Beyond its agricultural prowess, the Great Western Ranch is a haven for wildlife, attracting hunters worldwide with its thriving populations of elk, mule deer, antelope, and mountain lions, supported by a lucrative outfitting lease. Rich in history, the land bears traces of Anasazi civilization, Spanish explorers, and early homesteaders. This is more than just a ranch; it’s a rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique and irreplaceable asset, expertly managed with a focus on sustainability and ecological balance.
#2 Bering Pacific Ranches, Alaska | 230,000 Acres
Forget dusty deserts and sun-baked plains; America’s westernmost ranch isn’t your typical cattle spread. Picture this: emerald islands rising from a steely gray sea, crowned with snow-capped volcanoes and dotted with Russian Orthodox churches—welcome to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, a.k.a. the “Cradle of Storms.” Here, on the 686-square-mile Umnak Island, you’ll find the nearly 500,000-acre Bering Pacific Ranches, home to 10,000 head of cattle, plus reindeer, bison, and a few hardy wild horses. This isn’t your grandpa’s cattle drive; with stock ranging across 50 miles of rugged terrain, cowboys rely on a two-seat helicopter to herd their charges, a far cry from the trusty steed. Operating from a converted WWII airbase (talk about repurposing!), the ranch processes hundreds of head each fall in its USDA-certified organic slaughter facility. With a year-round carrying capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 head, this unique operation, leasing grazing rights from Native corporations, proves that ranching in America can be as wild and unexpected as the Alaskan wilderness itself.
#1 Butte Valley Ranch, Nevada | 860,000 Acres
Nevada strikes again with home to one of the largest – in fact the largest – ranches for sale found on Land.com. this isn’t your average backyard spread—the Butte Valley Ranch sprawls across nearly 900,000 acres (yes, you read that right) with 7,300± deeded acres sprinkled across four Nevada counties, nestled between Wells and Ely. This historic sheep and cattle operation currently supports roughly 700 cattle and 4,000-5,000 sheep, but with 20,641 AUMs and ample feed, a new owner could easily ramp that up to 1,500-2,000 head of cattle. Imagine 570 acres of pivot irrigation and 2,000 acres of riparian meadows, with even more potential for water capture and expanded irrigation. The updated headquarters boasts a 2,800 square feet. building with shop space and an eight-bedroom living quarters—perfect for staff, family, or a high-end hunting lodge. Speaking of hunting, the ranch sits in prime Nevada hunting territory, offering two annual bull elk tags in coveted units. Plus, with PRF insurance in place, drought years become less of a headache. This economically run ranch, with a balanced management program and an experienced team ready to stay on, presents a truly unique opportunity to build a thriving agricultural empire on a scale that’s, well, just a tad larger than most.
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