Muddy Mountain Ranch

Set along the Western slopes of Muddy Mountain in southeastern Natrona County, this premier Wyoming ranch offers a rare combination of scale, productivity, and diversity. Encompassing 5,169.7± deeded acres and, with an additional 13,438.65± acres of BLM and State of Wyoming leases, this operation supports nearly 600 pairs year-round with supplemental winter feeding. This scenic ranching and recreational offering comprises two distinct parcels in close proximity, connected by large BLM parcels, creating a recreational paradise. Conveniently accessible from Highway 487, this ranch strikes an exceptional balance between accessibility and seclusion.

The immaculate improvements throughout the property have been well thought out and designed with attention to privacy, aesthetics, and ease of access. A  beautiful custom luxury home built in 2021 overlooking Bates Creek with sweeping western vistas highlights this impressive ranch property, tucked into a scenic box canyon that offers incredible privacy and an ideal getaway feel, surrounded by recreational opportunities. The landscape unfolds in a rich mosaic of rolling grasslands, timbered foothills, and rugged draws, all interconnected by an established system of two-track roads that provide excellent access across the ranch. With strong potential for livestock infrastructure expansion, the ranch excels as a capable, well-rounded agricultural operation while also serving as a private recreational retreat.

Blending open range, dramatic scenery, abundant wildlife habitat, and year-round outdoor pursuits, this offering represents a rare opportunity—delivering immediate operational capability, long-term investment strength, and future development versatility in one of Wyoming’s most desirable ranching regions.

Muddy Mountain Ranch represents the combined offering of the Thieves’ Den Ranch and Big Red Creek Ranch properties. While available for individual purchase, the properties are currently owned and managed as a single entity, creating a unique and valuable combined ranch opportunity.

Overview

• 5,169.7 +/- Deeded Acres
• 9,649 +/-  Leased Acres from BLM
• 3,789.65 +/- State of Wyoming 
• 18,608.35 +/- Total Acres
• Thousands of acres of adjacent public land access
• No conservation easement

Main Home

• Luxurious newly built custom home: At the heart of the Thieves’ Den Ranch unit is a custom 2021 home designed for entertaining, with a vast open layout, a spacious living room with white oak floors, oversized windows, and a stacked stone fireplace. 
• Chef’s Kitchen: large island, stainless steel GE appliances, alder cabinets, granite countertops, and herringbone backsplash—perfect for gatherings.
• Bedrooms & Baths: primary suite with en suite bath (soaking tub, walk-in shower, double vanity, walk-in closet) overlooking Bates Creek. Three additional bedrooms, including a loft office upstairs. 
• Other Features: large pantry, mudroom, laundry, oversized heated 3-car garage, Rinnai hot water, furnace/heat pump, reverse osmosis system, and water softener. 
• Expansive patio with covered areas for outdoor enjoyment with stunning panoramic vistas.
• Year Built: 2021
• Approximately 3,831 square feet
• 4 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
• 3 Car Garage

Improvements & Outbuildings

• Horse Barn
  • The barn is conveniently located next to a new set of corrals and paddocks, ideal for housing a few horses or a select group of specialty cattle you wish to keep nearby, complete with a tack room and horse runs. 
  • Year Built: 2021
  • Dimensions: 50 feet x 60 feet
• Insulated Shop
  • Enjoy a spacious, heated shop with ample floor-to-ceiling storage, ideal for all your recreational vehicles, equipment, or ongoing projects from the elements. This space is perfect for ranch operations and extensive projects.
  • Year Built: 2021
  • Dimensions: 50 feet x 60 feet
• Airplane Hangar and Storage Facility
  • A newly constructed airplane hangar with a grass strip is located at the property’s entryway, separate from the main compound, yet still within walking distance. 
  • Year Built: 2021
  • Dimensions: 50’ x 100’ x 16’
  • One 14’ sliding door
  • One 40’ bifold hangar door
• Guest Cabin
  • A tucked-away guest cabin, complete with electrical service, heat, and a loft, is located a short distance from the main residence.
• Shop (Hangar)
  • A spacious 50′ x 100′ structure with a 40′ x 18′ automatic airplane door and two additional 14′ x 14′ garage doors.
• Barn
  • A 40′ x 64′ barn with 16-foot sidewalls, featuring a substantial 40′ x 20′ tack room and two 14′ x 14′ sliding doors.
• Corrals
  • A newly constructed, well-designed set of corrals is conveniently located near the building compound, offering easy access to the main road.

Locale

Situated thirty miles southwest of Casper and accessible via Highways 220 and 487. Casper provides essential amenities—including healthcare, diverse shopping, and a variety of dining options—along with year-round recreational opportunities such as skiing at Hogadon Basin, extensive mountain biking and Nordic skiing trails, biathlons, and community sports like pickleball and swimming. Additional outdoor activities, from hiking to boating, are also readily available throughout the region, making it an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts. Natrona County International Airport offers reliable air service with direct flights to Denver (United) and Salt Lake City (Delta), ensuring easy travel connections. Private road access to the ranch further enhances its privacy by eliminating through traffic.

History

Indigenous and Frontier Era (Pre-1800s to mid-1800s):

The North Platte River Valley served as hunting and travel grounds for Native tribes such as the Arapaho, Shoshone, and Lakota. By the 1840s, it had become a vital corridor for the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails, with ferry crossings and early trading posts.

Bates Hole and Outlaw Activity (Late 1800s–Prohibition Era):

The remote Bates Creek basin—known locally as “Bates Hole”—gained a reputation in Natrona County lore as a hideout for rustlers, bootleggers, and fugitives taking advantage of its rugged terrain and isolation southwest of Casper. During Wyoming’s frontier years, ranchers reported horse and cattle theft rings operating from the draws and canyons of Bates Hole. Later, during Prohibition, figures such as rancher D.E. “Dave” Davidson were linked to illicit liquor production and smuggling routes that ran through the area, reinforcing its image as a secluded refuge for both ranchers and outlaws.

Fort Caspar and Settlement (1860s–early 1900s):

The U.S. Army established Platte Bridge Station—later renamed Fort Caspar after Lt. Caspar Collins was killed nearby in 1865. The town of Casper was founded in 1888 with the arrival of the railroad, becoming a key regional hub for supply and transportation.

Energy Growth and Modern Era (1900s–Today):

Oil discoveries in the Salt Creek Field spurred rapid growth and earned Casper the nickname “The Oil City.” Through booms and downturns, it evolved into a regional center for energy, aviation, education, and healthcare—balancing its frontier roots with modern economic and cultural development.

The Big Red Creek Ranch Unit was part of the Cheney Family’s ranch. The Cheney family’s deep ranching roots in southern Natrona County form an essential chapter in the history of this property, which was part of their long-standing cattle operation in the Bates Hole community southwest of Casper. For generations, the family ran cattle, branded, calved, and hayed on these lands while actively contributing to the region’s ranching culture. Jim Cheney, born on the homestead in 1905, and his son, Bob—who purchased the ranch from his parents in 1987—were both well-known figures in local ranching and rodeo circles, with Jim competing as a steer wrestler and Bob both competing in and later judging rodeos. Their legacy is one of stewardship, community involvement, and a commitment to producing high-quality cattle, as reflected in Bob’s recognized efforts to continually improve his herd. The Cheneys were also early adopters of aviation for ranch work, using an airplane to locate livestock and assist with predator control, further underscoring their innovative approach to managing and caring for the land.

Hunting

• Elk – Unit 19 (2 Landowner Permits): This is a premier trophy elk unit renowned for its high population of elk and large bulls. Bull elk in excess of 340 inches are commonly harvested in this area.
• Antelope – Unit 32 (2 Landowner Permits): Antelope numbers are substantial in Unit 32. Trophy quality is consistently good, and in years with adequate moisture, antelope scoring in the 80-inch range have been taken on the property.
• Deer – Unit 66 (Mule and Whitetail with Landowner Tags): Both mule deer and whitetail are present in decent numbers throughout the property, with trophy quality considered average for the surrounding area.
• Turkey: Wild turkeys are plentiful, particularly along the Bates Creek riparian corridor, and are frequently sighted across the ranch.

Fishing

• Over 1.25 miles of Bates Creek, with a total of over 2 miles of creek frontage on the ranch. Bates Creek, a small headwater fishery, is productive today with boulders, oxbows, and deep pools.
• In the immediate vicinity, the Blue Ribbon North Platte River, encompassing Greys Reef and Miracle Mile, as well as the fishing opportunities at Alcova and Pathfinder Reservoirs, are all conveniently accessible from the property.

Recreation

• Equestrian trail riding: Casper excels in this, blending cowboy heritage with scenic paths on Casper Mountain, such as the Bridle Trail, which winds through forests and meadows with panoramic views. 
• Mountain biking thrives on Casper Mountain’s 20+ miles of singletrack, including the Eadsville Trail with technical descents and aspen groves, accessible by road or shuttle—events like the Hill Climb add excitement. Alcova Reservoir’s rugged BLM trails offer off-road challenges with historical mining roads, and winter fat biking extends the season. 
• Hiking: Casper’s highlights include Casper Mountain’s 30+ miles of trails, such as the moderate Garden Creek Falls path to a waterfall amid wildflowers, and Crimson Dawn for forested canyons and history. Rotary Park offers riverbank hikes with fishing spots, while Muddy Mountain provides remote desert loops to petroglyphs and Ayres Natural Bridge’s rock arch. 
• ATV: Casper accesses hundreds of BLM miles in Muddy Mountain, mixing dirt roads, rocky paths, and play areas with views of Pathfinder Reservoir. Casper Mountain’s multi-use roads lead to scenic overlooks, with events like the ATV Jamboree fostering community rides. 

Ranch Operations

The Muddy Mountain Ranch has the carrying capacity to sustain a significant livestock operation. Specifically, the ranch is rated to support nearly 600 cow-calf pairs year-round.

Water Rights

The Ranch Headquarters boasts exceptional water rights, specifically territorial water rights, which encompass approximately 91 +/- acres of land. A significant recent enhancement to this area is the complete overhaul of the irrigation system. This entirely new infrastructure features a gravity-fed, underground design that significantly improves efficiency and ease of operation across all irrigated areas.

Mineral Rights

Seller will convey any owned mineral rights.

Leases

BLM: 9,649 +/- Acres, 1300 AUMs

• #WY 1001, 823 AUMs
• #WY 10004, 477 AUMs

State of Wyoming: 3,789.65 +/- Acres, 835 AUMs

• #1-7579, 542 AUMs
• #1-7238, 90 AUMs
• #1-8769, 11 AUMs
• #1-7282, 158 AUMs
• #1-7805, 15 AUMs
• #1-­8484, 20 AUMs