Hat Springs Ranch

Located in both northern Utah and southern Idaho, Hat Springs Ranch, a working cattle and equestrian ranch, is a pleasant drive from Salt Lake City. The ranch compound is neatly arranged on both sides of a well-maintained road in Malta, Idaho with the Raft River Range providing a dramatic backdrop. Feedlots provide capacity for 800 head of cattle with summer grazing on higher grounds. Irrigation and stock watering are done with water flowing from three springs located at the foothills of the Raft River Mountains. The ranch offers an idyllic setting for a family retreat or guest lodge with the great outdoors as your backyard.

Hat Springs Ranch is 4,440 acres in size, 1600 acres which are deeded, and 2,800 leased from the State of Idaho. The northern portion of the ranch is mostly leased ground with a combination of irrigated pasture and grazing. There are a series of stock ponds plus a small fishing pond the owner has stocked with rainbow trout. The southern portion of the ranch consists of summer grazing among the foothills and lower draws of the Bally Mountains. There are 3 major springs with good, year-round flows plus a series of roads on the ranch which provide easy access for getting around. The foothills are covered with Sage, Pinyons, Cedar, and Juniper in addition to natural and planted grasses- all providing plenty of cover for game and birdlife.

Improvements

In addition to working cattle infrastructure and horse facilities, the property consists of a ranch compound, including 2 modular homes and several outbuildings and sheds.

Location

Year-round access to the ranch from Salt Lake City or Boise is a little over two hours.  The Idaho portion of the property is in a region growing in popularity due to the proximity of several recreational areas such as the City of Rocks National Reserve, numerous US Forest Service access points, and the Pomerelle Ski Area.

Climate

Elevations on Hat Springs range from approximately 5,400 feet on the northern portions of the ranch and up to 6,200 feet on the southern boundary. The climate in this region of southern Idaho is somewhat mild with temperatures averaging into the mid 80 during the summer months with cool dry evenings.  Winter in the high desert is less cold with lower snowfalls relative to higher mountain elevations of Utah and Idaho.  The average annual rainfall in the area is approximately 11 inches per year.  Higher elevations of the Raft River Mountains can receive well over 200″ of snow during the winter months.

Recreation

The higher elevations of the property offer direct access to the Sawtooth National Forest from the Bally Mountains. A trail on the ranch provides direct access to the Raft River Range. Raft River Range is a spectacular east-west running range, mostly in Northern Utah, and features elevations up 9,900 ft. There are endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and horseback riding. The aspects of the foothills, combined with existing trails and road systems offer tremendous potential for mountain biking on the ranch. This “off the beaten path” part of Idaho is host to a wonderful family-owned ski resort, National Reserve, and several small mountain ranges.

Hunting

Subject to the laws of Idaho and Utah, deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion, turkey, and grouse can all be hunted on the property.  There is an abundance of natural cover and water on the ranch.  Private access to the adjacent national forest also provides additional ground for hunting.

Ranch Operations

Hat Springs is a working cattle and horse ranch. The ranch runs cattle year-round and is host to 2 feedlots which provide capacity for 800 head of cattle. Additionally, grazing is provided on higher summer pasture, as well as lower fenced and irrigated pastures. Equipment sheds, cattle chutes, and pens are located centrally on the ranch as are a series of spring-fed stock ponds.

The owners typically irrigate approximately 350 acres via pivots through a gravity-fed system which translates to lower operating and utility costs. The ranch is easily managed relative to other large, working cattle ranches. The yield for hay is approximately 3+ tons per acre.

Additionally, the owners have run up to 100 horses on the ranch. Horse facilities include corrals, walk-in sheds, and tack sheds. The entire property is fenced with the exception of a hillside on the southern portion.

Water Rights

There are numerous priority water rights attached to the property from three major springs, known as the Oliver Springs #1, #2 & #3. The owner has developed a gravity-fed irrigation system that provides culinary, irrigation, and stock water to the ranch. More details on water rights are available from the listing brokers.