Jones Creek Ranch

Spanning roughly 450,000 acres, the Centennial Valley is one of the least developed areas in Montana. Its sweeping grasslands, wetlands, and riparian areas look much as they did a century ago, with minimal human impact. With no cell service, stores, or fuel, and a human population often under 100 in the summer, the valley offers a remote, high-lonesome experience. Its wildflowers in spring, golden aspens in fall, and unmarred vistas draw nothing but adventure. These features make the Centennial Valley a vital ecological, cultural, and historical gem, balancing conservation with traditional ranching in a largely untouched landscape. 

Named in 1876 by rancher Rachel Orr to honor the U.S. centennial, the valley has a strong ranching tradition. The valley’s history includes indigenous presence, early trappers like Osborne Russell, and the Monida-Yellowstone Stagecoach route (1898-1913), which ferried tourists to Yellowstone. 

About 100,000 acres of private land in the Centennial Valley are owned by multi-generational ranch families who work with conservation groups to preserve open space and wildlife habitat through easements. 

The Centennial Valley contains the farthest traceable source of the Missouri River, starting as a trickle from a spring in the Centennial Mountains, flowing through Hell Roaring Creek and Red Rock Lakes. The property is traversed by Jones Creek and Winslow Creek, providing a vital water source for wildlife and livestock alike.

This historic working ranch lies within a region known for its exceptional wildlife corridors, migratory birds, and proximity to protected lands, making it a prime candidate for conservation easements or ecological investment.

The Centennial Valley also serves as a critical migration route for wildlife, connecting Yellowstone National Park to the northern Rockies, including Central Idaho and Canada. It supports iconic species like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, elk, antelope, and wolverines.

The nearby Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is an 83,446 acre refuge established in 1932, protecting the largest wetland complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Its haven for over 260 bird species, including the highest nesting density of trumpeter swans in the West, and hosts one of two primary swan migration corridors. It also supports rare Arctic grayling an high winter moose populations.