When Realtor.com set out to cover the surge of legacy ranches hitting the market across the American West, they spotlighted one of my listings—Red Hills Ranch—and invited me to share perspective on this once-in-a-generation shift.
At the base of Wyoming’s rust-colored Red Hills, where the Gros Ventre River twists through a private valley, Red Hills Ranch has been a sanctuary for more than 40 years. The late U.S. Senator Herb Kohl made it his retreat, a 190-acre property framed by wilderness and national forest yet only 25 miles from downtown Jackson. On the market for the first time since 1975, Red Hills offers three riverfront cabins, a main lodge, irrigated pastures, a pool, and over a mile of trout-rich river frontage.
As I told Realtor.com:
“What makes a ranch special today is that it still gives you space, privacy, and a connection to the land you can’t find anywhere else.”
These properties are more than acreage. They’re threads of continuity. Families often hold them for decades, even generations. That history is as much a part of the value as the improvements on the land.
“These properties are often held in families for decades, sometimes generations, and that history creates a sense of continuity you don’t get with other real estate. At the same time, a ranch can be whatever the owner wants it to be—working cattle, horses, or simply a retreat for family and friends. That flexibility is part of the appeal.”
Three private riverfront cabins frame the 1.5 miles of the Gros Ventre river that passes along the edge of ranch.
The article also explored the cultural forces at play. The sweeping landscapes of Yellowstone on television have glamorized ranch life—but they’ve also awakened new appreciation for the real thing.
“Shows like Yellowstone definitely glamorize ranch life, but they’ve also sparked new interest in it. People see the scenery and the lifestyle and it captures their imagination. Of course, the day-to-day of owning a ranch is very different from what’s on TV, but the exposure has helped people appreciate the landscapes and the heritage that come with these places.”
This combination of legacy, lifestyle, and scarcity is fueling record interest. Land values in Wyoming have risen nearly 28% in the past five years, with ultra-wealthy buyers seeking properties that serve not only as investments, but as enduring family legacies.
Ride out the ranch to sweeping Teton Range views.
For me, the work goes beyond listing properties—it’s about stewardship. Every ranch has its own story, and it takes careful storytelling to connect the right buyer with the responsibility and opportunity of ownership.
“Every ranch has its own mix of history, water, wildlife, improvements, and setting. That makes it harder to price and means the buyer pool is limited. It takes time and the right storytelling to help someone see not just the land, but the lifestyle and responsibility that come with it.”
That’s why I’ve dedicated my career to stewarding the stories of Wyoming’s legendary properties, like Red Hills Ranch.
To read the full Realtor.com article, click here.
To explore Red Hills Ranch, visit the listing here.
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