At the end of the day,
our reputation stands.
–John D. Pearson, Broker

We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then,
is not an act, but a habit.
– Aristotle

DESCRIPTION

A PERFECT BLEND OF BEAUTIFUL TROUT STREAM, MULE DEER & ANTELOPE COUNTRY, MARVELOUS HOME SITE, SOLITUDE & ACCESSIBILITY.  TRULY A MULTI-RECREATION PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN CASPER AND LARAMIE, WY.

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LOCATION: ~20 MILES DUE SOUTH OF CASPER | ~130 MILES NW OF LARAMIE
1,166± ACRES DEEDED | 3,138± ACRES TOTAL
~1 MILE OF BATES CREEK
BROOK, RAINBOW & GERMAN BROWN TROUT FISHING
RUGGED CANYON & GENTLE WOODED STREAM CHANNEL
MULE DEER HUNTING | INCREASING ELK NUMBERS
RESTORED CABIN | NEW EQUIPMENT SHED
BEAUTIFUL HOME SITE OVERLOOKING WATERFALL

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 THE LOCATION

The Ranch at Bates Creek is located in Natrona County, Wyoming nearly due south of the City of Casper.  The area is central to many natural attractions including Alcova and Pathfinder Reservoirs to the west, Casper Mountain and Muddy Mountain to the northeast, and the Laramie Range and Medicine Bow National Forest to the east & southeast. 

Located in the northern reaches of the Shirley Basin, the Bates Hole region is a mix of deeded lands, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) federal lands, and State of Wyoming lands.  The area is noted as a region with abundant natural resources, important wildlife habitats, & diverse natural landscapes intertwined within the strongly agricultural communities.

Access to the property is via Highway 487 crossing the Shirley Basin to County Road 402 or the Old Casper-Medicine Bow Highway.  The ranch is located approximately 40 road-miles from Casper, WY and about 130 miles from Laramie.

 

ABOUT THE RANCH

The year-round trout stream, Bates Creek, clearly is the focal point of the ranch.  About 1 mile of Bates Creek winds through meanders and tight bends through the northeastern portion of the ranch offering fishing opportunities the entire reach.  North of the creek is a juniper covered slope which breaks to rough boulder tossed fields to the east and west.  South of the creek is a basin of mixed grass and sage flanked by ridges on either side.  Knitted together, the three predominant land types (lush riparian area, juniper covered hillsides, and classic Wyoming sagebrush habitat) create a multi-use property for the fishing, hunting, and outdoor enthusiast.

 

 

 

ACREAGE: The Ranch at Bates Creek offers 1,166± deeded acres, 465± acres State of Wyoming leased lands, and 1,506± acres of BLM leased lands for a total footprint of ~3,138± acres.  As found on many other ranch properties, particularly rugged terrain in certain areas of the ranch cause the existing fence lines to deviate from the legal boundaries of the ranch. 

 

BATES CREEK

Bates Creek is a perennial stream that originates in the far southeastern corner of Natrona County.  Spring-fed drainages are collected into the Bates Creek Reservoir which is then released into the Bates Creek stream channel.  The year-round flow maintains an excellent fishery while providing irrigation water for ranches throughout the basin. 

The stream channel on the Ranch at Bates Creek is characterized by pool-riffle development with grassy banks and large cottonwood trees providing shade cover.  The channel bed varies from solid bedrock to cobble. Most of the stream is easily accessible but several holes provide the opportunity to boulder-hop in search of the next catch.

 Bates Creek flows through the 'Ranch at Bates Creek'  for approximately 1 mile

Bates Creek offers both a gentle meandering stream and challenging boulder hopping

 The riparian zone includes thick grasses, pine and cottonwood trees, and boulder ledges and overhangs

In addition to the excellent fishing on Bates Creek, this reach of stream offers a rare waterfall right below a beautiful home site.  The waterfall plunges approximately 14 feet to a deep pool where German browns, brook and rainbow trout may be found.  Immediately below the waterfall, the stream winds through a cobble riffle to the rugged, boulder canyon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG GAME HABITAT

In addition to the recreational amenities the creek offers, The Ranch at Bates Creek provides opportunities for the big game hunter.  Mule deer and antelope are found on the property throughout the year.  The ranch lies within an area identified as crucial mule deer winter range.  Elk, in increasing numbers, are on the ranch in the latter part of the year as they move down from the Muddy Mountain area of the Laramie Mountain Range to the Bates Hole area. 

The respective hunt areas are:                     ELK  - AREA 19                     DEER   -  AREA 66                   ANTELOPE  -  AREA 32

                                                                                                                                                             

For more information on specific hunting regulations, please see the Wyoming Game & Fish Department.

The ranch's habitat supporting the antelope, deer, and elk includes mixed grass / sagebrush rangeland flanked by steep, irregular hillsides.  Deep pockets within the high country provide innumerable hiding spots for game.  The density of juniper cover varies throughout the ranch with dense cover on the north and west.  In addition to the live water of Bates Creek, two water sources - a reservoir and a solar well - are located the center of the ranch.

Other wildlife may include coyote, mountain lion, bobcat, turkey, sage grouse, and many nongame bird species.

 

 RANCHING USE of THE RANCH at BATES CREEK

The property is surrounded by other ranching operations and, historically, has been utilized as summer grass pasture for cattle.  The grazing season extends from late May to late October.  The ranch is currently leased for grazing.

In addition to the deeded lands, the ranch has grazing leases with the State of Wyoming and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):

State of Wyoming Lease #1-8670 for 465.52± acres and 64 AUMs (Animal Unit Months). 

BLM Allotment #00729 for 1,506.15± acres and 187 AUMs. 

Historically, a small portion of the ranch, approximately 60± acres, was irrigated.  Water rights information is available upon request or may be found at the Wyoming State Engineer's website.

 

 

IMPROVEMENTS

The improvements on the ranch include a comfortable bunkhouse that has recently been restored, a new Morton® steel building, and homestead-era cabin, corrals, and workshop/garage.  A domestic well was drilled in 2004 and electric power is available on the property.  The improvements provide comfortable shelter for occasional use.  A beautiful home site, overlooking the Bates Creek and the waterfall, is readily accessible yet hidden and quite private. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

With the current improvements, the property taxes for the Ranch at Bates Creek are approximately $266 annually.  More information is available from the Natrona County Assessor.

The elevation of the ranch varies from 6,300' to 7,100'.  The 30-year average annual precipitation is 10-15" according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

 

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SUMMARY PROPERTY FEATURES

LIVE WATER  |  BATES CREEK  |  TROUT FISHING  |  GERMAN BROWN TROUT  |  BROOK TROUT  |  RAINBOW TROUT  |  WATERFALL
BOULDER HOPPING  |  FAMILY RECREATION  |  BIG GAME HUNTING  |  MULE DEER HUNTING  |  ANTELOPE HUNTING  |  ELK HUNTING
TURKEYS  |  SAGE GROUSE  |  CATTLE RANCHING  |  4-WHEELING  |  ATV RIDING  |  HORSEBACK RIDING  |  BEAUTIFUL SCENERY