Ochoco Ranch

Ochoco Ranch is a recreational paradise offering natural beauty, astounding views, development potential, plentiful wildlife, desirable water characteristics and complete privacy. This unique offering consists of over 40,040 acres of timbered high country bordering the Ochoco National Forest. Ochoco Ranch is located in Central Oregon, 45 minutes from the Redmond/Bend Municipal Airport. A haven for trophy elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, bobcat, upland birds are among the untouched game. Rainbow and Brooke Trout can be found in Wolf Creek and Horse Heaven Creek. Heavily timbered mountain ridges surrounded by lush meadows, 65 year-round springs, 19 miles of trout bearing live water creeks, streams, ponds and sub-irrigated meadows. A remarkable panoramic view of the Cascade Mountain Range can be seen from various locations on the property. The Ochoco Ranch is a tremendous resource with exceptional location and a variety of recreational amenities. LOCATION Ochoco Ranch is located in Central Oregon and just 45 minutes from the Redmond/Bend commercial airport (RDM). The property is 11 miles east of Prineville, OR on Highway 26. Prineville, which also has a municipal airport (PRZ), is located 30 minutes from Bend and 20 minutes from Redmond. ACREAGE The property consists of approximately 40,040 acres of timbered high country in one contiguous block. The ranch is unique in many ways; 1) there is no public access, 2) a high percentage of forested lands, 3) the character and lay of the land is very appealing with smooth, gently rolling terrain with deep soils allowing the ranch to be very usable and productive, and 4) very secure, easily controlled and inexpensive to operate. The ranch borders the Ochoco National Forest and Lookout Mountain Roadless Management Area along its east border with a number of private ranches surrounding the other sides. The ranch is accessed by three private easements on the primary roads. These primary roads are raised bladed gravel roads adjoining the highway and cut through the ranch north/south and east/west. Secondary and limited use roads cut through in various directions over the property and are accessed off the primary roads. This road system makes the property readily accessible and provides a major value enhancement. A well-developed road system such as this cannot be found on comparable properties. The topography of the ranch grades upward from west to east reaching its highpoint near Lookout Mountain and has elevation range of 3,800 feet to 5,600 feet. The vegetative habitat for the lower southern exposures consists of intermixed Ponderosa Pine, Juniper, brush, browse and grass. The higher elevations and northerly exposures consist of Douglas Fir, White Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Aspen, Tamarack (Larch), Willows and lots of grass. The varied habitat is ideal for the diverse wildlife that inhabits the ranch. RECREATION AND WILDLIFE The Ochoco Ranch is a haven for Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope, Grouse, Quail and Turkey. Rainbow and Brook Trout can be found along Wolf Creek and Horse Heaven Creek. In addition, there are approximately 35 miles of spring fed creeks and 65 mapped springs located on the ranch. Fishery enhancements along the main tributaries would be beneficial to the trout populations and would improve the value. Historically, the ranch provided summer grazing for 800 to 1,000 head of cattle. The current owner has not allowed commercial hunting or cattle grazing for the past five years. The combination of hunting control and removal of livestock grazing has created greater forage production causing the wildlife resource to improve both in quantity and quality. The ranch is a safe haven for large elk and deer populations and has a reputation of producing trophy quality animals. The Ochoco Ranch qualifies for 10 landowner permits each for deer and elk. The bird species of quail, grouse and turkey offer multi species hunting opportunities in addition to the big game. LOCALE Central Oregon is a rapidly growing area highlighted by natural beauty, pleasant year around weather (300+ days of sunshine annually), and an abundance of recreational opportunities. The area is characterized by the snowcapped Cascade Range to the west (Deschutes National Forest) and a series of mountains to the east (Ochoco National Forest). A variety of springs, creeks and streams drain this geographic area with the Deschutes River capturing flows from the Cascade Range and the Crooked River draining the Ochoco National Forest area. The elevations below the tree line are typical high desert ecosystems composed of grasslands, Sagebrush and Juniper while the higher elevations contain Ponderosa, Firs and Aspen. These ecosystems provide a variety of fish and wildlife species and allow for a multitude of recreational activities including big game and bird hunting, lake and river fishing, boating, river rafting, golfing, climbing, snow skiing, snowmobiling and many others. A number of recreation activities take place at Ochoco Lake State Park, Prineville Reservoir State Park and Mount Bachelor Ski Area and Lake Billy Chinook (Round Butte Reservoir). The communities of Redmond, Bend and Prineville offer all major services and a multitude of cultural activities. Notable is the Old Mill District (a shopping area rejuvenated from the old lumber mill site) as well shopping in downtown Bend which offers a variety of shops and restaurants. A smaller scale Old Mill District is being planned for Prineville. Concerts, music and arts festivals fill the calendar for the area. TIMBER The Ochoco Ranch timberlands are predominantly Ponderosa Pine, White Fir and Douglas Fir with smaller volumes of Juniper, Larch and other Pine. Over recent years, the owners have managed the 39,952 acres forested acres for recreation while only harvesting limited timber to improve forest health. Estimated net merchantable volume is approximately 225,000 MBF (or 4,995 board feet per timbered acre) with an estimate annual growth of 7,875 MBF. The volume estimate was calculated using third-party Lidar digital inventory data collected in 2021. CARBON As trees grow, forests capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store them in trees’ roots and wood. Timberlands are a key carbon sink and play a pivotal role in slowing down the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Ochoco Ranch has many options for future carbon projects that will create opportunities for ongoing sale of carbon offsets under the various greenhouse gas emissions reduction markets. IMPROVEMENTS The 2,832 square foot lodge is a one and a half story home constructed of log/wood frame, and metal roof. The interior finishes include slate tile floors, wood walls, large log and wood columns and beams, high wood ceilings, granite countertops, and custom wood cabinets. The lodge also includes a double-sided fireplace, in-floor heat, propane wall heaters and high-end finishes, plus a covered front entry and 8 foot wrap-around porch. Other improvements include a barn with two sheds extending off both sides, 1,108 square foot upstairs living area, a 1,200 square foot work shop, and two cabins (216 and 345 square feet). All structures were developed to optimize efficiency and minimize ongoing maintenance. ZONING The current zoning is F1 Forest Use Zone. The purpose of the Crook County forest (F-1) zone is to protect and maintain forest lands for grazing, and rangeland use and forest use, consistent with existing and future needs for agricultural and forest products. The F-1 zone is also intended to allow other uses that are compatible with agricultural and forest activities, to protect scenic resources and fish and wildlife habitat, and to maintain and improve the quality of air, water and land resources of the county. SUMMARY The large deeded acreage of timbered high country comprising the Ochoco Ranch makes this an exceptional resource. This resource combined with its excellent location nearby to a rapidly growing area along with the multitude of recreation possibilities allow the Ochoco Ranch to be well positioned for future value enhancement. The property is a blank canvas, available in its raw natural form, allowing it to be taken in a variety of directions by the new owner.