Tucked just beneath the Canadian border is a stunning western state defined by snow-capped mountains, rolling plains, and glacial lakes. There’s a lot that makes Montana stand out in the land buying market, starting with its diverse terrain and breathtaking views—but that’s not all the state has to offer for land buyers.
Aptly called Big Sky Country, Montana is known for its wide-open spaces, with available land all across the state. Whether you’re planning to build, invest, or reside in Montana, Land.com can help all potential landowners navigate the process with confidence.
Being prepared is the first step in making a well-informed purchase. Here’s our expert guide to buying land in Montana, featuring insider tips and common pitfalls to avoid when starting your land ownership journey.
Why Buying Land in Montana Feels Different
Among the western states, Montana stands out in the land buying market. First, the unique variety of landscapes and scenery is a dream for nature lovers. Buying land in Montana is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, especially if you enjoy remote living off the beaten path.
Aside from the terrain, why buy land in Montana? This state offers:
- Impressive size – Montana is the fourth largest state in the country, with 147,040 square miles to explore. Larger than the entire United Kingdom, Montana takes at least ten hours to drive across east to west, during which you’d get a taste for the staggering amount of land stretching in all directions.
- Low population density – Just over one million people live in the entirety of Montana, which is a small number when you consider the size of the state and how triple the amount of people can easily be found in a major city. If you value privacy and tranquility, Montana is for you.
- Low access barriers – Montana is home to the unique Stream Access Law, which allows anyone to use public rivers, streams, and lakes (up to the high water line) for hunting, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and other recreational water activities. Many other states consider this illegal, making Montana a haven for rights to public land and free enjoyment of the great outdoors.
- Cultural attitude toward land ownership – About 35% of Montana land is publicly owned, meaning it’s managed by the federal or state government for purposes like national parks or conservation efforts. Because of this, owning land in Montana is a rewarding accomplishment—one that makes Montanans proud of their rugged lifestyle and land heritage.
So, is buying land in Montana a good investment? No matter what calls you to the west, the answer is yes. Whether you’re seeking recreational acreage or productive farmland, Montana offers abundant land ownership opportunities to suit every goal and lifestyle.
Types of Land You’ll Find Across Montana
Before starting your search for land in Montana, set clear intentions so that you know what types of property to look for.
Here are some common property types you’ll encounter in this stunning state:
- Ranch land – Farm and ranch land in Montana totals over 50 million acres, contributing over $4.5 billion to the state’s annual economy. Whether you’re starting a ranch, expanding your livestock, or building a homestead, Montana has plenty of ranch land to choose from.
- Recreational property – This refers to land intended for outdoor activities and leisure, such as hunting, fishing, camping, and more. Recreational property can also double as residential land—for instance, if you’re looking for a weekend getaway spot.
- Timberland – There are over 22.5 million acres of forest in Montana, covering about one-fourth of the entire state. Over 4 million of those acres are privately owned, offering the perfect conditions for your timber business.
- Residential lots – If you’re looking for a slower pace of life, Montana has your back. Discover family-friendly properties in small towns all across the state, or purchase an undeveloped plot to construct your dream home.
- Investment property – There are many different investment opportunities available in Montana. While it’s not as touristy as other states, there is a growing market in recreational outdoor activities and tourist rentals. An investment could also look like buying undeveloped land, building a house or cabin, and selling the property at a profit.
- Off-grid plots – Montana’s expansive acreage and remote geography make it one of the best places to buy off-grid land. Whether you want a permanent off-grid residence or a seasonal cabin, there’s plenty to choose from.
The right acreage for you will depend on your short- and long-term goals. Luckily, Montana has land for sale that meets any buyer’s needs.
What to Know About Access, Utilities, and Roads
Before purchasing property with stunning Montana views, it’s important to assess all features of the land. When searching for land in Montana, consider the following factors:
- Road maintenance – First off, is there an access road leading to your property? If you can’t get on your land, you won’t be able to use it. Next, take stock of the terrain—how easy (and affordable) would it be to install a road? Lastly, if the road is not paved, it’s subject to seasonal elements. For instance, Montana can have harsh winters, so you’ll need to assess if the road can be plowed.
- Utility availability – Everyday utilities include water, electricity, gas, and sewage. If you’re planning to live on your newly purchased land, it’s crucial to account for these necessities, unless you’re ready for an off-grid lifestyle. If there aren’t utilities set up, you’ll have to determine whether there’s infrastructure in place to do so. Keep in mind that setting up utilities for your remote Montana property can be especially difficult and costly in rural areas.
- Internet coverage – Montana consistently places at the bottom of national rankings when it comes to internet coverage, speed, and availability. This may not matter to some landbuyers. Even still, it’s worth checking out the broadband capabilities in the area.
Having a clearer picture of these aspects will help you make a more accurate budget, as you’ll be able to determine additional expenses not included in a parcel’s sticker price.
Navigating Zoning and Land Use in Montana
Zoning laws determine how your land can be used. In Montana, zoning varies by county. You’ll need to research local regulations before purchasing property so you know what you’re allowed to do with your land.
Acreage can be zoned as traditional or mixed-use. For instance, rural residential property can double as recreational, while agricultural land may be zoned solely for farming. In suburban areas, residential zoning gets more complicated, with further regulations for subdivisions and multi-family homes.
We recommend partnering with a Land Pro to help wade through all the red tape.
Legal Land Access
Montana also offers a unique Public Access Land Agreements program that allows private landowners to open up their rural land to public access (e.g., for hunting, fishing, hiking). In return, landowners receive $15,000 in annual compensation.
Before purchasing land, determine whether a land agreement is in place or if you would want to start one. These land agreements can be an easy way to make some extra cash every year, but you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of opening up your land to the public.
Tips for Making a Smart Purchase
Ultimately, here’s what to know about finding the best place to buy land in Montana: Land is a unique type of purchase, and it’s not as simple as choosing something off the shelf. Buying property requires a lot of planning, research, and diligence in order to make an informed and confident decision. Since land is such a valuable long-term investment, you want to make sure it checks all your boxes.
Land is tangible and dynamic, and no two plots are exactly alike. All prospective landbuyers need to do on-the-ground research before signing on the dotted line, preferably with expert help from surveyors or local real estate professionals.
Once you’ve found acreage you’re interested in, we recommend these actionable steps:
- Walking the property – Exploring the parcel yourself is the best way to truly get a feel for the land. Evaluate the terrain, verify road access, look for wildlife, check out any existing structures, and make sure there aren’t any issues you missed on the listing. This is also a good time to get a land survey to assess exact property borders.
- Talking to locals – Is there a sense of local community? What do they love about the region? What are the winters like? Is the area prone to flooding? Asking these questions and more will help provide well-rounded insight into your potential acreage and the Montana real estate market in general.
- Checking for land use regulations – In addition to zoning regulations, your property may also come with certain permits, easements, or land use restrictions. Don’t have these come as a surprise after you’ve already purchased the land!
The more proactive you are when buying property, the more you’re set up for success in the long run.
Start Your Search On the Right Foot with Land.com
From the sweeping plains of Yellowstone County to the rugged peaks near Glacier National Park, Montana ranches and properties offer unmatched beauty and opportunity. Browse land for sale in Montana on trusted platforms like Land.com to compare listings, research different regions in the state, and find your dream property.
Then, partner with a local Land Pro. From starting your land search to finalizing the sale, Land Pros help streamline the process every step of the way.
Discover what sets Big Sky Country apart and become a Montana landowner today.
Sources:
United States Census Bureau. Montana. https://data.census.gov/profile/Montana?g=040XX00US30.
Montana Commerce. Map of Montana. https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Programs-and-Services/Montana-Film-Office/Locations/Map-of-Montana.
Public Land/Water Access Association, Inc. Stream Access Law. https://www.plwa.org/stream-access-law.
Montana Living. Montana’s stream access law. https://www.montanaliving.com/blogs/outdoors-adventure-in-montana/montanas-stream-access-law?srsltid=AfmBOoql1EH6KrkUvjr0Tz9Y9imiwOHxikV4bTJg__cqJqU8wl9QeiUY.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Public Land Hunting Opportunities. https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/public-lands.
Montana Department of Agriculture. USDA Releases 2022 Census of Agriculture Data. https://agr.mt.gov/News/USDA-Releases-2022-Census-of-Ag-Data.
Montana Wood Products Association. Forests Are For Everyone. https://www.montanaforests.com/healthy-forests.
BroadbandNow. Montana Internet Coverage & Availability in 2025. https://broadbandnow.com/Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Public Access Land Agreements. https://fwp.mt.gov/pala.
Montana Department of Transportation. Design Standards & Policy – Land Use Regulations. https://www.mdt.mt.gov/research/toolkit/m1/pptools/ds/lur.aspx.
