Nestled within the rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas lies the sprawling Dove Mountain Ranch, a colossal 324,345-acre expanse of land that has recently been listed for sale at a reduced price of $225,744,120. This expansive property is part of a contiguous block of over 424,000 acres, making it the largest fee-owned ranch complex available for purchase not only in Texas but in the entire United States.
A Land of Unparalleled Natural Beauty
Dove Mountain Ranch stretches 11 miles from north to south and 22 miles from east to west, showcasing the grandeur of the Big Bend Country region of West Texas. Located between the town of Marathon and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, it offers a glimpse into one of the last truly wild landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert.
This magnificent ranch serves as the gateway to Big Bend National Park to the south, boasting a diverse array of natural features such as Dove Mountain, Black Mountain, Pine Mesa, Cupola Mountain, Maravillas Canyon, and many more. A mere 30-minute drive south of the Gage Hotel introduces visitors to the expansive adventures that await at Dove Mountain Ranch.
The ranch’s southern boundary fronts on paved FM 2627, home to the historic Stillwell Store and Museum, just a stone’s throw away from the southern border. This road ultimately leads to La Linda, serving as the takeout point for Boquillas Canyon on the Rio Grande and the put-in point for the Lower Canyons, designated as a Wild and Scenic River, widely regarded as one of the most scenic river canyon landscapes in the country.
A Diverse Landscape
Dove Mountain Ranch is a tapestry of landscapes, starting with the all-weather caliche road of Dove Mountain Road along the northern boundary. As one ventures south, rolling limestone hills give way to expansive Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and scrubland. Iconic features like Dove Mountain and Cupola Mountain are home to a huntable population of Desert Big Horn Sheep, with permits awarded annually. Remarkably, a 14-year-old ram was harvested here just last year.
Quayule Creek, running north and south, carves a spectacular gorge or canyon within the ranch. This creek flows into Maravillas Canyon, adjacent to Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, serving as a critical breeding ground for additional dispersing Big Horn Sheep. Several sets of improvements can be found in the southern section of Dove Mountain Ranch, including Dove Mountain Headquarters and the South Pope Headquarters, utilized by various ranch hands.
A Remarkable Assemblage
Dove Mountain Ranch represents an assemblage of four ranches, including Dove Mountain, South Pope, Love Dog Canyon, and the Herman Ocotillo. The expansive Dove Mountain Road is a private road that also grants access to several neighbors but is not open to the public. To complete this assemblage, several ranches remain as inholdings within the larger boundaries of Dove Mountain Ranch, operated as separate ownerships. Fencing and locked gates have helped minimize impacts from these inholdings, and the current owner continues to acquire these tracts as they become available.
A Habitat of Diversity
The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North America, stretching from the southwestern United States deep into the Central Mexican Highlands. Dove Mountain’s landscape is a testament to this diversity, encompassing desert mountains, rolling western Edwards Plateau, desert flats, and draws within a rugged landscape. It evokes the classic “Big Bend Country” of the Old West, preserving much of the environment and appearance of times past.
This vast area boasts a wide range of vegetation, from the mid to lower Chihuahuan Desert species such as dagger, yucca, lechuguilla, creosote, and more, to grasses like chino grama, black grama, red grama, bear grass, and sideoats grama. Trees and brush include juniper, hackberry, willow, mesquite, cottonwood, persimmon, and oaks in higher elevations and draws. In spring, the landscape comes alive with a vibrant display of cacti, yucca, daggers, and native forbs.
A Wildlife Haven
Dove Mountain Ranch’s unique appeal lies in its remarkable wildlife habitats, notably Desert Big Horn Sheep. This property offers the availability of permits through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), making it a prime destination for enthusiasts and conservationists alike.
The ranch is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Mule deer, various species of birds, raptors, songbirds, and game birds such as blue (scaled) quail, gambles quail, mourning dove, and white-winged dove. Larger mammals, including desert, javelina, aoudad, mountain lion, and the occasional black bear, thrive amid the ranch’s brush, forbs, and grasses, which provide excellent habitat for both game and non-game animals.
Working Cattle and Hunting Ranch
Dove Mountain Ranch is not just a pristine wilderness; it is a working cattle and hunting ranch leased by several neighbors. The ranch is equipped with several headquarters, including Dove Mountain HQ, South Pope HQ, and Bear Creek HQ, each with their own set of improvements such as main houses, outbuildings, pens, and wells with electricity. Water sources are abundant on the property, with numerous submersibles, windmills, and solar water wells, as well as water troughs dispersed throughout the ranch for the benefit of wildlife and livestock.
It’s important to note that this ranch offering is subject to prior sale, changes in price, or removal from the market without notice. While the information provided is from sources deemed reliable, it is not guaranteed by the broker or agent.
For more information and to explore this breathtaking ranch, visit King Land Water’s Dove Mountain Ranch listing.
In conclusion, Dove Mountain Ranch stands as a testament to the untamed beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of Texas history and an unparalleled natural treasure.
