Property Description

Welcome to the Willis River Ranch – a haven for hunters, anglers, and ranchers alike. Nestled in the Great Northwest of Colorado, this 614-acre property offers the ultimate hunting and angling experience. With over 2.5 miles of both sides of the White River you’ll enjoy unique private access to productive fishing waters.  A mixture of agricultural and pristine natural landscapes along the river bottom provides prime hunting habitat throughout the entire ranch for resident Elk, Mule Deer, and many other game species. Trophy quality Elk and Mule Deer are present through the hunting seasons, including the archery and rifle seasons.  And there are a variety of tag options including Over-The-Counter (OTC) and Landowner Preference Program (LPP) Vouchers.

Cast your line from your drift boat or from the banks of the river and reel in Smallmouth Bass, Trout, Sunfish, Northern Pike, and more in this warm water fishery.  The public is only allowed to drift boats down this stretch of river without touching bottom, so the river stretch is very private with limited fishing pressure. When the river slows in the fall, waterfowl hunting opportunities are fantastic for ducks and geese. 

Spanning hundreds of acres, the ranch features agriculture fields bursting with alfalfa and hay, providing ideal sustenance for wildlife and livestock. Expansive sagebrush areas and dense cottonwood and willow river bottoms create the perfect habitat for game, including Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear, Turkey, and Pheasant. Plus, with borders to thousands of acres of BLM lands, the hunt extends beyond the fence line.

The ranch also features an oversized 6,240 square foot shop, complete with insulation, heating, office space, and a walk-in cooler – perfect for gearing up for your next expedition or unwinding after a day in the field. Additionally, a historic homestead provides an opportunity to update into a modern living quarter or a rustic hunting cabin. What sets this ranch apart is its impressive water rights drawn directly from the river, ensuring ample supply for agricultural and recreational pursuits.

The Willis River Ranch isn't just a property – it's a lifestyle where the call of the wild meets the tranquility of the river.  Don't miss your chance to own your piece of outdoor paradise.

Property Attributes

• 614 +/- Deeded Acres
• 2.8 +/- miles of White River Frontage (both sides)
• 14.25 c.f.s. Water Rights
• Alfalfa and Hay Agriculture Fields
• Trophy Elk and Mule Deer Hunting
• Landowner Preference Program voucher and OTC tags
• Black Bear, Pronghorn, Turkey and Waterfowl
• 6,240 sf Oversized Shop
• Historic Homestead
• Private River Access
• ATV Trails
• Ample Big Game habitat
• World Class Views
• Year-Round Access

HUNTING

The river bottom habitat provides lots of feed and water that attracts large numbers of Elk, Mule Deer and Turkeys.  The property resides in Unit 21 and 10, both trophy units holding bigger Bulls and Bucks.  Because of the consistent feed and water, Big Game is present on the property for most of the year including through archery and rifle seasons.  The property offers a variety of tag options; it qualifies for the Landowner Preference Program for both Elk and Mule Deer (depending on the Unit), and has OTC Elk tags, and low preference point Mule Deer tags available as well.

GMU: 21 & 10

• Big Game Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope Black Bear, Mountain Lion
• Small Game Species: Turkey, Coyote, Grouse, Pheasant, Rabbit, Bobcat, Squirrel, etc.
• Elk- Unit 10 & Unit 21

  • Qualifies for Landowner Preference Program (Unit 10)- Property is eligible to recieve 1 Elk voucher
  • 5-month Private-Land-Only Cow Rifle Season (Unit 10)
  • Over-the-Counter Licenses - Archery and 2^nd/3^rd Rifle Seasons (Unit 21)
  • Property has been issued depredation Cow Elk tags in the past.
  • Elk Seasons

    • Bull Elk

      • Unit 21

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30 (either sex)
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24

      • Unit 10

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • Early Rifle; Oct 1-Oct 11

    • Cow Elk

      • Unit 21

        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24

      • Unit 10

        • 5-Month Private Land Only Rifle; Aug 15-Jan 15
        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24
        • Late Rifle; Dec 1-Dec 31

• Mule Deer- Unit 10 & 21

  • Qualifies for Landowner Preference Program - Property is Eligible to recieve 2 Deer vouchers (1-Unit 21, 1-10)
  • Property has annually received 1 Buck Mule Deer voucher in the past (Unit 21).
  • Mule Deer Seasons

    • Buck Deer

      • Unit 21

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15

      • Unit 10

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3

• Antelope- Unit 10

  • 2 Buck rifle tags per hunter/year [1 Private-Land-Only (List B) & 1 Unit Wide (List A)]
  • Antelope Seasons

    • Unit 10

      • Rifle; Oct 5-Oct 13
      • Private Land Only Rifle; Sep 21-Oct 6

• Turkey (spring and fall)- OTC - Unit 10
• Bear – OTC Rifle Season - Unit 21
• Exclusive access to 1,000's acres of BLM Lands

FISHING

• Fishing for Brown Trout, Small Mouth Bass, Northern Pike and Sunfish
• The Brown Trout density is low, but the fish are larger size overall, including some trophy class fish.
• Exclusive shore access along property (boats may float the river without touching the bottom.  (*Contact agent for more water access information)

LAND

• 2.8 +/- Miles of White River
• Agriculture Fields – Alfalfa & Hay Mix
• Dense Cottonwood & Willow River Bottoms
• Expansive Sage Brush Flats and hillsides
• Many Game Trails
• 5,100’ –5,300’ elevation on property

AREA RECREATION

• Year-round recreational activities
• Hunting, Fishing, Camping, ATVing, Four Wheeling, Skiing all nearby
• Rio Blanco County consists of over 1.7 million acres of Public Lands
• National Forest, BLM, State Wildlife Areas, Rivers, Lakes, all nearby

WATER

• Live Water – White River
• 14.25 c.f.s. Water Rights
• Permitted Well
• City Water available

POWER

• On-Grid Electricity
• Delivered propane to 1,000 gallon tank

ACCESS

• Year round access
• 2 miles from town of Rangely, CO
• Maintained Roads

LIFESTYLE

• Rio Blanco County offers a lifestyle that celebrates nature, community, and western heritage through the following:

• Outdoor Recreation
• Ranching & Agriculture
• Tight-Knit Community
• Small Town Charm
• Strong Western Heritage
• Quiet & Peaceful

LOCATION

• Rangely, CO: 2.5 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Hospital
• Restaurants
• Convenience stores
• Outdoor Recreation
• Four Wheeling Parks

• Meeker, CO: 57 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Hospital
• Golf Course

• Rifle, CO: 93 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Golf Courses

• Steamboat Springs, CO: 135 miles (luxury ski resort town)

• Ski Resort
• Dinning/Shopping
• Golf Courses
• Hospital
• Regional Airport

• Grand Junction, CO: 90 miles (big city amenities and attractions)

• Airport
• Golf Courses
• Shopping/Dinning

• Denver, CO: 270 miles (big city amenities and attractions)

• International Airport