8386 Co Rd 105, Hesperus, CO 81326 - La Plata County

Discover the hidden gem of Split Trail Ranch, a sprawling hunting paradise spanning approximately 3938 acres in beautiful SW Colorado. Nestled just 35 miles southwest of Durango and all its amenities, this breathtaking property offers the avid hunter a truly exceptional hunting property for mule deer, elk, turkey, bear and mountain lion. With a rich history in farming and ranching, Split Trail Ranch is a true testament to the region's heritage.

Land

Situated at a mild altitude ranging from 7100 to 8300 feet, Split Trail Ranch is perfectly positioned to complement its resident mule deer and elk population. The property has valley bottoms, hillsides and expansive sloping plateaus that provide outstanding big game habitat and a tremendous turkey population. Located within a major migration corridor, the game population increases significantly as the snow begins to fall in the La Plata range of the San Juan Mountains. With an expansive size averaging close to a mile wide and nearly 5 miles deep, this property is an ideal choice for your own family hunting retreat and has great potential to become a Legacy Ranch for generations to come. It offers the added benefit of farm income and numerous valley meadows suitable for food plots to hold even larger numbers of game animals.

The ranch is further enhanced by the presence of an historic water well, 4 poly water tanks and numerous ponds, which provide water resources to enhance the year-round game populations, making it an ideal location for a September dove shoot. The property is further enhanced by the extensive access roads and 2-trac trails throughout the property, giving you access and use of the entire property. Approximately 75% of the ranch is covered in timbered areas consisting of Pinion, Juniper, Ponderosa, and Gambel Oak, creating excellent game habitat. Additionally, the property has around 500 acres in farm production, which is share cropped with a local farmer, generating additional income. The agricultural tax status of the ranch allows for significantly reduced taxes, further adding to its appeal. Approximately, +-2898 acres of the ranch are under a conservation easement.

Improvements

The property features several improvements, including a well, a rustic off-grid cabin from the 1980s, and a historic ranch bunkhouse from the 1950s.While both structures have a charming rustic appeal, they also offer great potential for upgrading and modernization. Additionally, the property lends itself well to RV use, providing flexible accommodations. There is an extensive road and 2-trac trail system to get around on the entire property for hunting or recreational activities.

Recreation

Similar to how private land management has revolutionized trophy whitetail hunting, astute sports and land managers have recognized that the future of quality mule deer and elk hunting lies in following the same path. Split Trail Ranch qualifies for 6 Landowner applications for mule deer buck tags, and also provides over-the-counter tags for elk, turkey, bear, and lion. With its ideal property parameters, the ranch allows landowners to enjoy the year-round rewards of managing their game for future generations of their families to come. There is an extensive road and 2-trac trail system to get around on the entire property for hunting or recreational activities. This is a great property to be considered for a family legacy ranch.

Region & Climate

Unlike most large game hunting properties, Split Trail Ranch not only boasts a substantial population of high-quality animals, but it also offers unparalleled convenience. While other similar holdings are often located hours away from amenities like exceptional dining, shopping, snow skiing, fly fishing, and excellent commercial air access, Split Trail Ranch is fortunate to be situated near Durango. This prime location ensures that the hunting ranch investment dream is complete for the entire family, all year round. Durango features world class skiing, amazing dining choices, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Historic Downtown shopping, quality fishing in lakes and streams and an incredible amount of hiking, biking and Jeep trails Moreover, take advantage of the opportunity to visit Mesa Verde National Park, a mere 45-minute scenic drive away, for an unforgettable day trip.

History

In today’s hunting land market, many investors seek larger land parcels with fewer buildings and more hunting opportunities. If you’ve been searching for such a property, Split Trail Ranch might be the one you’ve been waiting for. Conveniently located less than 35 minutes from Durango, CO, a town that has recently earned a spot in Outside Magazine’s prestigious top 20 rankings. Call or email today for more info and your qualified showing. Co brokers welcome!