Homesteaded in the 1800s by cattle rancher Sam Shelton, Sun West Ranch carries a living history along the Madison River, with some of the original homestead buildings still standing today. Developed in the 1970s by Ted and Heidi Gildred, the ranch is deliberately preserved: 80% remains common land, no development is permitted along the river, hunting is prohibited, and the community holds Undaunted Land Steward certification through Montana State University, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Montana Stockgrowers Association for its conservation work along the Lewis and Clark Trail. The payoff is one of Montana's true wildlife corridors — 3,000 to 4,000 elk migrate through each winter, alongside moose, deer, wolves, and mountain lions, while native cutthroat still rise on the Madison's three miles of river frontage. This 7.69-acre homesite sits within that legacy: flat, buildable, and bordered by BLM land, with true 360-degree views of the Madison Range, rolling meadows, and mountain sunrises, plus fiber and electricity already in the area. It suits the self-sufficient buyer who'd rather saddle their own horse or wade the river than check into a resort — 50 minutes to Yellowstone National Park, 30 to Ennis, and 90 to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, this is a rare chance to own land with real heritage and a real place in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
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Open houses
No upcoming open houses.
Around this home
Schools
K - 12
Preschool & daycare
Ennis School
Public PreK-6 • Assigned • 29.0mi
8/10
Ennis 7-8
Public 7-8 • Assigned • 29.0mi
8/10
Ennis High School
Public 9-12 • Assigned • 29.0mi
8/10
Provided by GreatSchools
Lifestyle
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Interior features
Property has a view
Exterior features
Trails in the community
Clubhouse and park available in the community
Directions: Head off of HWY287 onto Shelton Ranch Road, over the bridge on Sun West Ranch Road, turn right at the first intersection to stay on Sun West Ranch Road, left on Elk Ridge Road
Home design
Land parcel (Unimproved Land)
Property faces south
Located in the Sun West Ranch subdivision
Construction
Zoning: None/Unknown
Utilities
Electricity available
Water available
HOA & community
Homeowners association present
Quarterly association fee of $2,475 (equivalent to $825/month)
Association fee includes sewer, water, and snow removal
Other
Lot size: 7.69 acres
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home