How much of Montana is privately owned?

About 62.5% of Montana is privately owned, making it one of the most private land-heavy states in the U.S., with large portions held by farmers, ranchers, and timber companies for agriculture, recreation, and forestry, though millions of acres are also public lands managed by federal agencies.

How much land in Montana is privately owned?

Montana has approximately 23,000 landowners who own nearly 64 million acres of private land, much of which offers excellent hunting opportunities.

Who owns 6.6 billion acres of land?

The British Royal Family is linked to the world's most extensive landholdings, with King Charles III presiding over assets managed through the Crown Estate. Reports estimate the monarchy controls about 16% of Earth's land, roughly 6.6 billion acres spread across multiple continents.

Who owns most of the land in Montana?

While the U.S. Government owns the most land overall in Montana, among private owners, brothers Farris and Dan Wilks are often cited as the largest, holding hundreds of thousands of acres, primarily large ranches like the N Bar Ranch, with other significant private holdings by families like the Galt family, Stan Kroenke, and timber companies like Plum Creek Timber. 

Who is the biggest private landowner in Montana?

Farris & Dan Wilks.

Understanding what private land you can hunt on in Montana

Who is the wealthiest family in Montana?

Richest billionaires in Montana

• #6. Nicholas Woodman. - Net worth: $1.3 billion. ...
• #5. Linda Pritzker. - Net worth: $2.0 billion. ...
• #4. Brannin McBee. - Net worth: $3.7 billion. ...
• #3. Austen Cargill II. - Net worth: $4.7 billion. ...
• #2. Marianne Liebmann. - Net worth: $4.7 billion. ...
• #1. Dennis Washington. - Net worth: $7.8 billion.

Does Kelly Clarkson still own the ranch in Montana?

Initially, Clarkson was recognized as the sole owner of the property, but a legal decision in 2022 granted Blackstock a 5.12% ownership share, while Clarkson retained full control. With the legal issues resolved, Clarkson is now free to fully embrace her country lifestyle.

How much is 1 acre worth in Montana?

The cost of an acre of land in Montana varies wildly, from around $700 for pasture to over $500,000 for prime, buildable lots near popular areas like Bozeman, with agricultural land averaging over $1,000/acre but residential/recreational land often thousands per acre, influenced heavily by location, water access, and development potential. 

What is the crazy mountain ranch controversy?

Upon review, the DNRC found out Boulder had been selling irrigation water to Crazy Mountain Ranch from a source it did not have a water right for, and consequently had been using the water illegally for 17 years. This, too, is a violation of the Montana Water Use Act.

How many acres does Jeff Bezos own?

Jeff Bezos owns approximately 462,000 acres, primarily a vast ranch in West Texas known as the Corn Ranch, which serves as the launch site for his Blue Origin space company, making him one of the largest private landowners in the U.S. His holdings include other estates in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington, but the bulk is concentrated in Texas for his space ventures. 

Who is richer, Elon Musk or the royal family?

Yes, the Saudi Royal Family (House of Saud) is significantly richer than Elon Musk, with an estimated net worth of around $1.4 trillion, far exceeding Musk's net worth (often cited in the hundreds of billions), making them the world's wealthiest royal family by a large margin. Their fortune comes from the nation's oil reserves and vast assets, dwarfing the wealth of even the richest individuals like Musk and Jeff Bezos combined. 

Who owns the most land on Earth?

The British Royal Family, led by King Charles III, owns the most land globally, controlling vast Crown Estate holdings estimated at around 6.6 billion acres, roughly one-sixth of the Earth's land, primarily in the UK, Canada, and Australia, though much is state-owned, followed by organizations like the Catholic Church and Inuit groups, while prominent private individuals like Red Emmerson (timber) and Gina Rinehart (ranching) lead specific regions. 

What state is 80% owned by the government?

Did you know that over 80% of the state of Nevada is owned by the federal government? Land expansion is always a hot topic and unfortunately turns political.

Is homesteading still legal in Montana?

Yes, you can homestead in Montana, both in the traditional self-sufficiency sense (growing food, living off-grid) and through legal mechanisms like the Homestead Declaration (Homestead Act) that protects your primary home's equity from creditors. While the original federal homesteading land grants are long gone, Montana offers legal tools for modern homesteaders to protect their homes and supports the lifestyle through its natural resources, though it requires work, planning, and adherence to state laws. 

Where is the cheapest property in Montana?

Some of the most affordable towns in Montana include Great Falls, Butte, Anaconda, Havre, Lewistown, and Dillon. Each offers a lower median home price and strong community feel.

Who owns the most acres in Montana?

While the U.S. Government owns the most land overall in Montana, among private owners, brothers Farris and Dan Wilks are often cited as the largest, holding hundreds of thousands of acres, primarily large ranches like the N Bar Ranch, with other significant private holdings by families like the Galt family, Stan Kroenke, and timber companies like Plum Creek Timber. 

What are the safest cities in Montana?

Montana's safest cities vary by report, but Miles City, Libby, and Whitefish are top contenders for 2025 according to SafeWise SafeWise, while Colstrip often ranks well for low violent crime, and Bozeman is frequently cited as safest among larger cities, despite rising calls for service. Kalispell also appears on older lists as a very safe town. 

Who currently owns 6666 Ranch?

The historic 6666 (Four Sixes) Ranch in Texas, a famous filming location and inspiration for Yellowstone, was purchased by a group led by screenwriter Taylor Sheridan in 2021/2022, fulfilling the wishes of the late owner, Anne Windfohr Marion, to sell the ranching operations after her passing. Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone, acquired the massive property for a large sum, incorporating it into his Western-themed entertainment universe.
 

Are Rip and Beth a couple in real life?

No, Cole Hauser (Rip) and Kelly Reilly (Beth) are not a couple in real life; they are both happily married to other people, but share a strong, professional friendship and mutual respect that fuels their on-screen chemistry, with Hauser married to Cynthia Daniel and Reilly married to Kyle Baugher. Their off-screen bond and shared values, especially Hauser's stable marriage, contribute to the depth of Rip and Beth's intense relationship on Yellowstone. 

What is the largest ranch in the United States?

The King Ranch in South Texas is the largest single ranch property in the U.S., covering about 825,000 acres, larger than the state of Rhode Island, and is known as the birthplace of American ranching with vast cattle, farming, and other operations. While other large landholdings exist (like Singleton Ranches over 1 million acres across states), King Ranch remains the iconic largest single ranch.
 

Why is Kelly divorcing Brandon?

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock split due to a combination of long-term strains, including differing life visions, the pressure of working together (he was her manager), and the pandemic lockdown highlighting existing issues, with reports also mentioning jealousy over Clarkson's success, leading to "irreconcilable differences" and a prolonged, contentious divorce finalized in 2022. 

Does Mel Gibson own a ranch in Montana?

The Beartooth Ranch gained wider attention in 1988 when actor-director Mel Gibson purchased the land from Vern Sanders, who was well-known for his cattle business. After the sale, a large rapid in the Stillwater River, just above the ranch bridge, was dubbed Mad Max.

Why is Diddly Squat Farm shut?

At the beginning of December 2024, Mr Clarkson informed his fans that he was forced to close Diddly Squat farm shop due to damage caused by Storm Darragh. The star of the well-known series Clarkson's Farm, opened the shop with his partner Lisa Hogan in 2020. The Diddly Squat produce is also available via Amazon Fresh.