The Pitchfork Ranch in Meeteetse, Wyoming just hit the market for $52.8 million, marking only the third time in its nearly 150-year history that the property has been for sale.
At nearly 100,000 acres, the sprawling ranch remains one of the largest working cattle operations in Wyoming — and it’s also one of the most recognizable.
This is the same ranch where the Marlboro Man rode into advertising history, helping define the rugged, romantic image of the American West that the world came to know.
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Pitchfork Ranch: by the numbers
- Address: Pitchfork Ranch, Meeteetse, Wyoming
- Price: $52,800,000
- Acreage: 96,115 acres
- Established: 1878
- Main residence: Stone House, built in 1914
- Other structures: 8 residences, 2 hand-hewn timber barns, working pens
- Listing agent: Latham Jenkins, Live Water Properties
The ranch supports about 1,300 head of cattle year-round, with hay meadows, pastures, and trout-filled rivers stretching beneath the Absaroka Mountains.
Ranch spans nearly 100,000 acres beneath the Absaroka Mountains
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Absaroka Mountains, the Pitchfork Ranch is about as authentic as the West gets.
The land stretches across nearly 96,000 deeded acres and includes everything from rolling grasslands to forested slopes and river valleys. It’s rich with natural resources — hay meadows, pastures, irrigation ditches, and multiple trout-filled rivers run through the property, providing both agricultural and recreational value.
Wildlife thrives across the property’s diverse terrain
The ranch supports a wide range of wildlife, offering a habitat for elk, mule deer, moose, antelope, black bears, mountain lions, and wild turkeys.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the property offers big game hunting, fly-fishing, horseback riding, and backcountry exploration.
The Stone House serves as the heart of the property
At the center of the Pitchfork Ranch is the Stone House, built in 1914 from hand-cut sandstone. It’s surrounded by eight additional residences, two timber barns, and a full suite of working pens that make up the ranch’s operational hub.
The property combines historic architecture with functional ranching infrastructure — a setup designed to keep the operation running smoothly while maintaining its heritage.
Founded by a nobleman in 1878
The Pitchfork’s story began in 1878, when Otto Franc von Lichtenstein, a Prussian nobleman, established the ranch in search of land with mild winters and ample year-round grass.
Over the years, the ranch became a cornerstone of Wyoming’s ranching industry, known for both its productivity and its scenic beauty. Its longevity and continued operation make it one of the oldest continuously running ranches in the state.
The ‘American cowboy life’ at Pitchfork was widely photographed and recorded
In the early 20th century, Charles Belden, a photographer and rancher, captured life at the Pitchfork in a series of black-and-white images that helped shape the visual identity of the American cowboy.
His work — showing ranch hands, horses, and sweeping plains — caught national attention, and by the mid-century, the ranch had hosted notable figures like “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son”, actor Will Rogers.
Then, in the 1980s, it became the backdrop for the Marlboro Man advertising campaigns that brought “Marlboro Country” to life.
Ranch continues as a fully functional cattle operation
Today, Pitchfork remains a working cattle ranch, supporting about 1,300 head of cattle. The operation follows sustainable grazing practices and includes modern infrastructure for irrigation, fencing, and animal management.
While many historic ranches have been subdivided or converted to private estates, the Pitchfork stays true to its roots: a real, working piece of the West.
Conservation and wildlife management have been a priority
Under current owners Fran and Lenox Baker, who purchased the ranch in 1999, Pitchfork has continued its long-standing tradition of wildlife conservation.
The Bakers lived on the property for 13 years and expanded efforts to protect native species, including helping reintroduce the endangered black-footed ferret, once thought to be extinct in the wild.
Listing agent highlights the ranch’s rarity
Listing agent Latham Jenkins of Live Water Properties calls the Pitchfork “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“Properties of this caliber almost never come to market,” Jenkins said. “The Pitchfork represents the rare chance to own a historic brand, extraordinary acreage, and a cultural landmark all in one.”
A rare chance to own a cornerstone of Western history
Between its nearly 150 years of continuous operation, its role in shaping Western imagery, and its place in American advertising lore, the Pitchfork Ranch stands as one of the most storied properties ever offered for sale.
If it sells for its asking price, it won’t just rank among Wyoming’s most expensive ranches — it’ll secure its place as one of the most culturally significant pieces of land in the American West.
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