Snowy Range Fishing Lodge

Snowy Range Fishing Lodge boasts over 1.3 miles of both sides of the Little Laramie River, an excellent trout fishery and framed to the west by the Snowy Range Mountains. The recreational and income-producing operations center around first class fly-fishing & lodging. The fishing operations include the homestead lodge, bunkhouse, and log cabin in a pastoral setting among a grove of cottonwood trees on the banks of the Little Laramie River and parallel tributary, West Fork of the Little Laramie. The agriculture operations center around 210 acres of irrigated meadow producing hay and aftermath grazing. The entire property comprises 250 deeded acres with historic water rights located 22 miles west of Laramie and just 15 miles from Centennial, Wyoming.

This parcel is part of the larger Snowy Range Livestock Ranch.

Improvements

The ranch has ample improvements but is not over-improved. The Fishing Lodge parcel includes a beautiful 1,800 sq. ft. log home with 2 bedrooms that sits right on the Little Laramie River. There is an original homestead 300 sq ft cabin that is now used as the Fish House on Boomers Pond and a great place to have a cocktail and entertain or relax and drown a worm. There is also a guest cottage next to the main lodge with two guest rooms, two bathrooms, storage room and garage. There is a brick ranch-style Managers House with 2,200 square feet, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, Quonset shop 37×100, large metal barn, calving shed and numerous loafing sheds and a great set of working corrals.

The Homestead Barn is western nostalgia at its best! Photographers have traveled from all over to take pictures of the remodeled original barn.

Climate

The climate for the ranch benefits from its northern latitude and mountainous location, with the area receiving ample moisture in the winter and spring months. Summers and Fall are typically drier until winter sets in and colder temperatures and snowfall are prevalent.

The ranch elevation is approximately 7,200 feet.

Locale

The area is set in the Little Laramie Valley and the spring, summer, and falls are gorgeous and you will be a short 10 minute drive to the Snowy Range & Medicine Bow Mountains where you can hike and have access to many trails and a gorgeous mountain range. In the winter time you are a short 20 minute drive to the first class Snowy Range Ski Resort. As well, the Snowy Range Mountains are renowned for hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails.

Laramie is a vibrant and growing town and home of the University of Wyoming. Laramie provides all major services from shopping, dining, transportation, medical facilities and more. The population is 28,000. It is a short 2.5 hour drive to Denver, Colorado. Laramie also has a large airport that can facilitate large aircraft.

As noted, the Laramie River Valley is rich with outdoor activities throughout the year and this ranch is no exception with excellent trout fishing on multiple streams, hunting, and equestrian activities on site.

Fishing

If you’re a fly-fisherman this property will make you pause and take notice. The Little Laramie River flows and meanders through the property for over a mile! Historically leased by Rocky Mountain Anglers, they have reported the fishery as excellent! Trout species include Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat with an occasional Brook Trout. The fishery is a meandering free-stone creek bottom with ripples, deep holes, and well sodded and willow lined banks, set among large Cottonwood groves, and framed underneath the Snowy Range Mountains.

The Snowy Range Mountains are one of the finest snowmobiling areas in the country. It consists of more than 200 miles of groomed trails and 120 miles of ungroomed but signed trails.

Hunting

A good population of pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and elk like to migrate to the valley during the colder winter months. The current owners have had good success hunting on the ranch. The area and the nearby Medicine Bow National Forest are loaded with diverse wildlife including waterfowl, elk, deer, antelope, moose, bear, mountain lions, and turkey. The Medicine Bow National Forest is over a million acres and is readily accessible from the property. Additional fishing as well as boating is available at Rob Roy Reservoir in the National Forest.

Ranch Operations

Historically and currently the ranch has been operating as a working cattle ranch, very productive hay farm, and performance horse breeding operation.

Total annual hay production on the ranch ranges from 300 to 350 tons. Working facilities include outbuildings, corrals, paddocks, shipping facilities and other amenities.

A good set of cattle working facilities for calving and working cows are on the property, and include chutes that are covered and heated.

Water Rights

In the West, water is king and this ranch has it! With historic priority water rights dating back to 1882 and 1887, there are ample rights to irrigate more than 2,000 acres of hay meadows and irrigated/sub-irrigated pasture. Extensive water rights and well information is available to qualified buyers.

Mineral Rights

The current owner does not own any of the mineral rights on the property therefore no mineral rights will transfer with the sale.

Conservation Value

Due to its history as a cattle ranch and fishing/wildlife habitat, the property could be a prime candidate for a conservation easement. The ranch is currently unencumbered.