Haystack Ranch

Several miles of the fabled North Platte River grace the southern end of the Haystack River Ranch, just outside of Rawlins, Wyoming. A legendary history of native Americans, fur trappers, railroaders, and outlaws enliven the legacy of this part of Wyoming, and Haystack River Ranch lies in the middle of it all. With over 92,000 acres controlled in a combination of deeded and leased land, this vast property is a proven low overhead cattle operation, with notable fishing and hunting opportunities, along with intriguing investment potential in the domains of energy leasing and environmental credits.

The North Platte River is the key to the productivity of Haystack River Ranch. The river supplies irrigation water for several hundred acres of irrigated and sub-irrigated meadows, which is the mainstay for the cattle operation on the property. In addition, numerous springs and 30 stock ponds keep livestock supplied throughout the ranch property.

Hunting for pronghorn, elk and mule deer, plus upland birds and waterfowl, is excellent on Haystack River Ranch.

Trout fishermen need no introduction to the North Platte, one of America’s great trout rivers. On the ranch it is large enough to fish either by floating or by wading, and it holds resident populations of brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and even some walleye. Because sprawling Seminoe Reservoir lies a few miles downstream, trophy-sized fish regularly make their way up to the ranch, and the chance of hooking fish measured in pounds is very real. The famed Miracle Mile of the North Platte is a short drive away, and Seminoe Reservoir itself offers outstanding stillwater fishing.

The ranch lies in generally open country, so OHV and horseback access is good throughout the property. The hunting and fishing could be marketed commercially, with lodging built to support them.

All hunting photos are of animals taken in the hunting unit and were provided by Extreme Outfitters.

The ranch’s river bottomland supports a mix of natural and irrigated grasslands, and its hay production is a key reason Haystack River Ranch has succeeded as a cattle operation, along with its low overhead and large contiguous acreage. The property supports over 9,000 AUMs. In the past, cows and calves have been turned out in spring to pasture on the northern part of the ranch, and cows have been wintered on the southern portion. Supplemental feeding is generally needed from December through April. In recent years the ranch has run a yearling operation and is well suited to one.

A mix of natural and irrigated grasslands, sagebrush and rocky outcrops creates a classic “Wyoming mix” of habitat that serves big game herds of pronghorn, elk and mule deer well. The North Platte River corridor adds riparian habitat for waterfowl and upland birds, and it supports a strong fishery that is boosted by trophy trout moving up from Seminoe Reservoir.

Improvements are set up for an efficient cattle operation. They include two homes, a calving and vet barn, a feedlot, a horse barn and various outbuildings.

The ranch sits just northeast of Rawlins, a hub community of about 8,000 people and the county seat of Carbon County. Rawlins has the amenities of a small city, including plenty of retailers, restaurants and a hospital. The area has a colorful history of Native Americans, fur trappers, railroaders and outlaws. The original transcontinental railroad ran through it, Butch Cassidy and his gang were known to frequent it, and today the Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum is a popular attraction. Rawlins connects to the rest of the country through Interstate 80, one of the nation’s major transportation routes, and through its municipal airport.