Lazy K-6 Ranch

Land Description

The Lazy K6 Ranch includes 7,000 deeded acres along the Marias River near Fort Benton, Montana. This is a working cattle ranch with productive hay ground and strong recreation value. Located about 90 minutes from Great Falls, the ranch offers scale, water, and hunting in one of Montana's most underrated regions. Option to purchase more deeded ground from the landowner.

Land

The Lazy K6 Ranch is a premier 7,000 acre legacy property located along the Marias River just outside Fort Benton, Montana. The ranch is currently being ran as a large cattle operation. Infrastructure includes cross-fencing, water tanks, corrals, and functional road access. A lease-back option offers passive income and continued operational oversight by the current owner, while allowing the buyer full recreational access.

Recreational amenities include a private reservoir stocked with tiger trout and largemouth bass, approximately two miles of Marias River frontage with walleye and catfish fishing, and exceptional hunting for whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, turkey, and upland birds. The ranch borders thousands of acres of state land, expanding access to wildlife and solitude.

Historically, the ranch lies in one of Montana's most culturally significant regions. Located near Fort Benton-Montana's oldest settlement and a key center of early trade and expansion-the ranch includes a rare eagle catch site and a buffalo jump, both evidence of long-standing Native American presence. Nearby, the Marias River was the site of the 1870 Marias Massacre, adding further depth to the land's legacy.

With operational income, abundant wildlife, private fishing, and cultural landmarks, the Lazy K6 Ranch offers a unique blend of production, recreation, and historical value in one of Montana's most iconic landscapes.

Improvements

Old Homestead that could be used for off-grid living or ranch hand housing.

Recreation

Private Reservoir Fishing A man-made reservoir sits entirely within the ranch boundaries and is stocked with tiger trout and largemouth bass. This private water provides reliable fishing year-round with limited pressure-ideal for anglers looking for a quiet, controlled environment to fish with family, friends, or clients.

Marias River Frontage The Marias River winds through the ranch, offering direct access to one of north-central Montana's hidden fisheries. Known for walleye and channel catfish, this stretch of river also attracts waterfowl in the fall. Whether you're casting a line or setting up for a morning duck hunt, the river is a productive and scenic feature with year-round recreational value.

Big Game & Upland Hunting Whitetail and mule deer are consistent in the river bottoms and surrounding fields, with good age class and solid opportunity each season. The ranch also lies in an area known for producing trophy pronghorn antelope, which roam the open prairie and hayfields. The diverse terrain-cottonwood bottoms, cropland, native grasses, and brushy draws-also supports upland birds, wild turkeys, and a variety of migratory ducks and geese. Ample water, food, and cover hold game throughout the year and provide quality setups for both big game and bird hunting.

Lease-Back Option with Full Recreation Access The seller is open to leasing the ranch back for continued cattle operations. This gives a buyer passive income potential while still retaining full hunting, fishing, and recreational access across the entire property-ideal for an investor, rancher, or sportsman who wants to own land without running day-to-day operations.

Agriculture

Operational Cattle Ranch The ranch is currently being ran as a large cattle operation. Cross-fenced pastures, developed water sources, and functional infrastructure-including corrals, access roads, and water tanks-are in place to keep the operation efficient and workable.

Hay Production There are several areas where hay could be replanted and harvested to support in revenue stream or in cattle production, helping ensure reliable yields year after year. The ground is productive, with flat fields and easy access for equipment.

Region & Climate

Located just outside Fort Benton in north-central Montana, the area around the Lazy K6 Ranch offers a classic High Plains setting with open vistas, river valleys, and rolling grasslands. Fort Benton-one of Montana's oldest settlements-blends rich frontier history with small-town charm. The nearby Missouri River corridor provides boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing, while Great Falls, just 90 minutes away, offers full services, shopping, and air travel access. The region sees a four-season climate, with cold winters, warm summers, and low humidity. Annual precipitation averages around 12 to 14 inches, supporting hardy native grasses, dryland crops, and hay production. With over 260 days of sunshine per year and minimal snowfall compared to western Montana, it's a climate well-suited to both ranching and outdoor recreation.

History

Located Along the Marias River near Fort Benton, Montana

The Lazy K6 Ranch sits in one of the most historically significant regions in Montana. With deep Indigenous roots, frontier history, and cultural landmarks still visible on the land, this 7,000 acre ranch offers more than natural beauty and agricultural value-it offers a connection to the people and events that shaped the American West.

Fort Benton The Birthplace of Montana

Established in 1846, Fort Benton is recognized as the oldest continuously occupied settlement in Montana and earned its title as the Birthplace of Montana. It began as a fur trading post on the upper Missouri River and quickly evolved into the most important supply depot for the Northwestern frontier. By the mid-19th century, Fort Benton was a major terminus for steamboat traffic and played a central role in the trade and transport of goods into Montana, Idaho, and Canada before the advent of the railroad.

Its strategic location made it a key center for trade with Native American tribes, military expeditions, and westward expansion. During its peak, Fort Benton connected the remote Northern Rockies with the rest of the United States, serving as a springboard for homesteading, ranching, and exploration.

Indigenous Legacy and Cultural Sites on the Ranch

Long before Fort Benton was founded, the area now known as the Lazy K6 Ranch was home to members of the Blackfeet Confederacy, Gros Ventre, Assiniboine, and other Plains tribes. These groups lived in harmony with the land, using the river, coulees, and breaks for sustenance, ceremony, and community. Two significant Indigenous cultural features on the ranch demonstrate the long-standing human presence and historical importance of this region.

Eagle Catch

Positioned high above the river valley, the eagle catch site on the ranch is a rare and historically significant structure used by Native hunters to capture golden and bald eagles. Feathers from these birds were prized for ceremonial and spiritual purposes. The technique required immense patience and skill, often involving hunters lying in concealed pits with bait, waiting for the right moment to snare an eagle.

This site reflects both the spiritual traditions and the ingenuity of Native cultures, serving as a physical reminder of the sacred relationships between people, animals, and the land.

Buffalo Jump

Also located on the ranch is a buffalo jump-an archaeological site where bison were driven over cliffs in large hunts. These events were coordinated with precision and cooperation, allowing tribes to harvest meat, hides, and bones to sustain their communities through the seasons. Today, stone drive lines and artifact-rich soils offer insight into these communal hunts, which were essential to life on the Northern Plains for centuries.

The Marias River and the Marias Massacre

The Marias River has long been a vital artery through this landscape, offering water, transportation, and access to abundant wildlife. It also played a tragic role in American history during the 1870 Marias Massacre, in which the U.S. Army mistakenly attacked a peaceful Piegan Blackfeet camp, killing over 170 individuals-most of whom were women, children, and the elderly. This event occurred not far from the Lazy K6 Ranch and remains a somber reminder of the conflicts that followed westward expansion.

Settlement, Homesteading, and Ranching

Following the Indian Wars and the decline of the fur trade, the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a wave of homesteading and ranch development across the Fort Benton region. Families settled the land, built cabins, developed irrigation, and raised cattle and hay in the same valleys that had sustained people for thousands of years. The Lazy K6 Ranch still contains rustic homestead improvements from this period, underscoring the continuity of working the land for livelihood.

Today, the ranch continues that legacy, combining productive hay fields, a full-scale cattle operation, and preserved cultural features. It stands as a living history of Indigenous heritage, frontier exploration, and multigenerational ranching in Montana.

Location

The Lazy K6 Ranch is located in north-central Montana, just outside the historic town of Fort Benton, and lies within Chouteau County-one of the state's most agriculturally productive regions. This expansive 7,000 acre ranch enjoys an ideal blend of seclusion and accessibility, making it attractive for working ranchers, recreational buyers, or conservation-minded investors.

Nearest Town Fort Benton, Mt

Situated approximately 15 minutes southeast of Fort Benton, the property offers close proximity to a full range of amenities. Fort Benton pop. ~1,500 provides basic services including a grocery store, hardware, gas stations, restaurants, medical clinic, K-12 school system, and agricultural supply outlets. As the oldest town in Montana, Fort Benton also offers cultural attractions like the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, historic downtown buildings, and a scenic riverfront walking path.

Regional Hub Great Falls, Mt

The ranch is less than 90 minutes from Great Falls, Montana's third-largest city and the primary regional hub for north-central Montana. Great Falls provides access to a broader range of services including Great Falls International Airport GTF - offering daily commercial flights from Delta, United, Alaska, and Allegiant

Major retailers Costco, Home Depot, Walmart Veterinary hospitals and livestock sale barns

Regional medical centers and hospitals

Higher education via the University of Providence and Great Falls College Msu

Additional Access & Nearby Features

Highway Access The ranch is accessed via a well-maintained county road that connects to U.S. Highway 87, the main arterial route between Fort Benton and Great Falls.

Marias River The property includes extensive frontage on the Marias River, a quiet and scenic tributary of the Missouri River known for fishing, wildlife habitat, and its historical significance.

Public Lands The area surrounding the ranch includes nearby state lands and BLM tracts, expanding recreational possibilities.

Whether flying into the Great Falls International Airport or driving from Fort Benton, the Lazy K6 Ranch offers convenient year-round access with complete privacy and unobstructed views of Montana's wide-open landscapes.