Jackknife Creek Ranch

Listing Price: $3,600,000

Jackknife Creek Ranch is located in the heart of the Star Valley, one of Wyoming’s most desirable areas.  Known as “Little Switzerland” for its green countryside and snowcapped peaks, Star Valley has become a highly sought-after location for its scenery and sporting lifestyle.   The ranch lies alongside the Idaho border beneath the striking Caribou Mountain Range.   Everyday conveniences can be found five miles north in the town of Alpine while upscale amenities are a 45-minute drive through the scenic Snake River Canyon in Jackson Hole. 

Jackknife Creek Ranch is comprised of two nearby parcels of 220 and 40 acres, both with the Salt River running through the middle of the ranch.  While much of the 220-acre tract has been protected by a conservation easement, the current landowners have dedicated 40 acres near the two existing homes for a fully approved and platted nine-unit clustered subdivision.  

Since their acquisition of the ranch, the current owners have instituted sound grazing practices, allowing it to recover from years of stress.  These management techniques have improved the overall health of Jackknife’s soil and vegetation and, more importantly, the riparian corridors along the spring creek and river.   

The two main structures that currently exist on the ranch are a small caretaker’s home and a fully renovated and modernized 2,460 square foot ranch house.

The bulk of its approximately 180-acre open area that includes the Salt River, streams, ponds and agricultural land was protected by the current owners through a conservation easement with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association Land Trust.   The easement allows the continuation of recreational and ranching activities on the land.  The 40 acre parcel is not affected by this easement.

Jackknife Creek Ranch is rich in fishing resources with approximately 1.5 miles of both sides of the Salt River flowing through the property as well as a 1,900’ private spring creek fishery.   While the spring creek on Jackknife Creek Ranch remains private, approximately one mile of the 1.5 miles of Salt River frontage has an access easement through the Game and Fish Department that allows the general public river access along this section for fishing and duck hunting.  This affords the ranch both private water on the property and public access throughout the Star Valley to the Salt River, creating a delightful opportunity to put in any number of different places off property with a take out on the ranch, or putting in on the ranch for a short hour plus float with a private take out, or the ability to drift further to the next public take out in several different locations below.

To the angler’s delight, the Palisades Reservoir is only a 10-minute drive north of the ranch.  This 16,000-acre high alpine reservoir is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and serves as the confluence for the Grey’s, Salt and Snake Rivers before they exit the Palisades Dam in Swan Valley to form the South Fork of the Snake River.

The proximity of the famed Snake River often overshadows the lesser-known Salt River and its tributaries that define Star Valley.  The Salt River area holds trout water that should not be overlooked by the avid angler, as it is often the destination of fishing guides when they take a day off to fish for themselves..

This area is ideal for the wildlife enthusiast and those who enjoy the outdoors.  By being an extension of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and benefiting from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Star Valley offers diverse populations of wildlife.  The area’s big game species include elk, moose, Mule deer, Big Horn sheep and antelope as well as black bear, wolf, mountain lion, bobcat, coyotes and fox.  Numerous types of duck, geese, cranes, herons, hawk, eagles, osprey and songbirds reside in the area throughout the year.

The Star Valley is known for both cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, as well as having 90-minute access to the two well-known ski resorts of Grand Targhee Ski and Summer Resort and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.