Steamboat Springs, Colorado Pleasant Valley Ranch is located in one of Steamboat’s most coveted areas, evidenced by a consistent history of market-setting prices. With public land bordering the east and southwest sides and immediate access to some of the best fishing in the state, every kind of outdoor recreation is just beyond the property line. It is a comfortable 7,000 feet in elevation with a gentle rise to 7,600 feet near the base of Blacktail Mountain. The topography on the ranch provides very good protection for the big and small game animals that are native to the area. Two developed springs attract a consistent stream of deer, elk, moose, and bear. The ranch is at the end of the paved county road and only 10 miles from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It has excellent views of Pleasant Valley’s historical ranches, the 500+ acre Lake Catamount and the Steamboat ski area.
The property is located 10 miles south of town at the end of paved County Road 18. Beyond the pavement and comprising the ranch’s eastern boundary, the road continues as a seasonally maintained lane for about 3 miles, paralleling the Yampa River to the Sarvis Creek State Park and ending at Stagecoach Reservoir. The short drive from town winds through irrigated native grass hay meadows of the South Valley floor, past the Haymaker golf course, around the shores of the 500+acre private Lake Catamount, and finally through the conserved ranches of Pleasant Valley. Several state and federal agencies manage the public land that adjoins the ranch, providing access to over 2 miles of fishing on the Yampa River and access to an additional million-plus acres. One of Colorado’s 43 federally designated wilderness areas is just steps away from the ranch’s east line; the 44,000-acre Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area is limited to non-mechanical use and protects habitat for wildlife and sensitive ecosystems. The ranch is rich in history, rich in productivity, and rich in recreational resources.
Pleasant Valley Ranch consists of 257 acres; wildlife seamlessly moves from the riparian corridor along the Yampa River to the protection of the forested slopes of the surrounding mountains. The public land east of the ranch leads to a vast expanse of the contiguous national forests stretching from southern Wyoming to the Colorado River corridor and the west side encompasses the difficult to access northeast slopes of Blacktail Mountain. The north facing hillsides of the ranch are heavily treed with cool pine forests while the south facing slopes are loaded with Gambel oaks and brush. Small, open pockets have livestock springs that also attract wildlife. Most corners of the ranch are accessible via two track roads that lead to several vantage points with excellent mountain views. The gently sloping meadows on the north end of the ranch are situated above the county road and back up to a small aspen grove. With easy access, electricity nearby and views of the meadow valley, Lake Catamount, and Steamboat ski area, it is an ideal site for a Steamboat-style estate.
Recreation can be found in every direction from the ranch. The Steamboat ski mountain is a 10-mile drive north for epic downhill skiing. Soon to be the 2nd largest ski area in Colorado, a $200 million expansion is nearly complete with a new ice rink, additional terrain, several restaurants, and the fastest 10-person gondola in North America. The BLM land on the west side of the ranch is not easily accessed by the public and provides very good hunting, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife watching. The Yampa River, just a few feet from the ranch’s southwest corner, has been managed for healthy fish habitat. The east side of the ranch has easy access to the Sarvis Creek WIlderness Area with more hiking and riding trails, hunting, and fishing. Snowmobiling through the powder snow is exhilarating; snowshoeing and cross country skiing through the still winter forest is serene. Lake Catamount Club, with a private club with a 530-acre lake and miles of year-round trails, is a three mile drive. Stagecoach State Park, 3 miles south, has an 820-acre lake with a marina, campgrounds, and more trails. Since about half of the county is public land – accessible directly from the ranch – a lifetime of exploring comes with living in Steamboat.
The ranch has traditionally been used for cattle grazing and hunting. Two springs are adjudicated for stock use. Both springs have been developed and provide water for wildlife. Any seller-owned minerals will convey to the buyer. The ranch has agricultural tax status and are about $125 per year.
Pleasant Valley Ranch is located in the resort town of Steamboat Springs. The area is known for its scenic beauty, laid-back vibe, respect for the outdoors, agricultural roots, and skiing. The Yampa Valley Regional Airport is less than an hour’s drive from the property; the 10,000 ft. runway serves both private and commercial aircraft. During the ski season, direct flights are available from 16 major cities all over the country. United and Southwest provide daily, year-round service to Denver International Airport. Steamboat Springs, with a population of about 13,000, is a friendly resort community that features many amenities found in larger towns. The UC Health Center is an award-winning, full-service acute care hospital. Steamboat has excellent public schools plus an outstanding k-12 private school. Colorado Mountain College, an established community college, offers a variety of programs plus many local interest classes. Other community amenities include an indoor tennis/pickleball center, botanic gardens, hot springs, a state-of-the-art music pavilion, and City-owned Howelsen Hill Ski Complex, the training grounds for the very long list of Steamboat Olympians.
The ranch overlooks the Yampa River as it winds its way through the lush meadows of Pleasant Valley. Just upstream is the Stagecoach Reservoir Dam and the confluence with Sarvis Creek. Sarvis and Morrison Creeks drain into the Yampa, providing higher flows that allow the river to function naturally while being uniquely protected from extreme runoff. This combination produces some of the best fishing in the region. The Sarvis Creek watershed ranges in elevation from 7,000 to over 10,000 feet in elevaton and because every drop of the runoff flowing into the creek system originates on federally owned and designated wilderness land, the water is clear and natural. Spring runoff is fast, furious, and wildly scenic. The roar of the Yampa during spring and summer is easily heard from the property. The Yampa River, just 100 feet from the Ranch’s southwest corner, flows through the adjacent BLM land for over 1.5 miles. Stagecoach Reservoir, an 820 acre lake, is a 3-mile drive south of the ranch on the seasonal county road and has great trout and pike fishing.
Pleasant Valley Ranch is one of the most attractive properties available in the Steamboat market. It has direct access to live water, without the premium commanded by private river frontage. It shares boundaries with a giant swath of public land, yet is so close to town. The ranch is being offered for the first time in several generations, Pleasant Valley Ranch presents an opportunity to own in a wildly scenic area where properties do not often come on the market.
