Red Lodge, Montana

Canyon Ranches is a small 26 lot subdivision south of Red Lodge toward the ski mountain. It is beautiful in there and just a short walk to the National Forest. Do you have a dog? This is the ticket! This particular lot sits a tad higher than the lots to the east and south, so you have an unobstructed view of the valley and the Pryor Mountains behind it to the East. To the south, west and north you are looking at mountains close up and the National Forest, which stretches from here all the way to the Yellowstone Park. Mount Maurice to the SW is often showing off with its own set of clouds and some special light effects. The palisades to the north also have a way of catching the sunlight just right after it is already gone from the hills.

What are "palisades" you might ask? Well, those are walls of sedimentary rock standing straight up in the air and they are actually an old ocean floor. It is the only sedimentary rock left here in our neck of the Rockies. When the Beartooth Mountain Range was formed a huge bulge of granite rose from the bottom of the earth and pushed the earth crust up and some of it flipped over. Therefore much of the real old rock is sitting on the surface and as you dig down, to the delight of geologists, the rock is getting younger. The highest mountain here has the telling name "Granite Peak" (map) and is the highest mountain in Montana at an elevation of 12,807 feet (3,904 m).

The lot is nicely treed with beautifully shaped Spruce and Pine trees. The road conveniently curves around lot 17, so you can have a circular driveway and have two ways out. By the way, lot 18 to the south is also for sale for the same price.

The subdivision has its own water system and the water is piped right to the lot along with electric, phone and DSL. Just across the road to the north is the fire pond and behind that are 88 acres of open space which are adjacent to the national forest. Way back there is the common well, tapping into the Willow Creek watershed. These 88 acres may possibly be developed with up to 31 lots, subject to the same restrictions as Canyon Ranches Phase I.

All around hiding in the trees or up on the hills are beautiful homes and mansions, all built within the last few years and enjoying the stunning mountain views, so you will be in good company! This is definitely one of the best neighborhoods close to Red Lodge. What keeps the neighborhood so nice are of course the covenants which are available as pdf files for download (right click and save to your computer). The "Fire Protection" are Federal guidelines for "Wildland Residential Developments."

To find the property take the Ski Run Road south of Red Lodge toward the ski mountain. Turn right on Palisades Campground Rd and again right on Wilderness Lane to Lot 17 on your left. If you have hiking shoes on, take Palisades Campground Road a little further and you are in the National Forest.

CCR Part 1 (16.65 MB)     CCR Part 2 (8.72 MB)     CCR Part 3 (6.16 MB)

By Laws (6.21 MB)     Fire Protection (32.73 MB)

Setback from the road for lot 17 is 50ft and 30ft from the neighboring lot. There is an architectural committee which is obligated to give you their yay or nay within 45 days of submitting the plans. The minimum dwelling size is 1,200ft of living space with a double garage and an indoor sprinkler system. A dwelling needs to be finished within 12 months once construction has started, but there are no restrictions on how long a property may remain vacant. Landscaping with native plants only; no landscaping requiring irrigation is permitted. All recreational vehicles need to be stored out of sight. No commercial activities are permitted and not more than 5 pets of the same kind.

45.168718,-109.296906 $ 125,000     Details