When most of us think of mountain land, we think of snow-caps and ski lodges. In a lot of areas of the country that's exactly what it's like, at least in winter. But, the terrain and features can vary more drastically when and where the snow melts. There are high desert mountains and heavily wooded lands, each with their own set of options and possibilities.
$67,750,000#CO1134761
2,024 acres
Telluride, CO 81435
$64,900,000#WY1221878
33,934 acres
Moorcroft, WY 82789
$65,000,000#WY1228278
190 acres
Jackson Hole, WY 83001
$73,710,000#TX1232476
12,078 acres
Hebbronville, TX 78358
$142,000,000#NM1230095
225,582 acres
Quemado, NM 87830
$68,000,000#OR1189338
40,040 acres
Prineville, OR 97754
Mountain Ranges
In the West, we have the Rocky Mountains coming down from Canada and extending through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. The highest point is Mt. Elbert in Colorado at 14,400' above sea level. The Sierra Nevada cuts through California and falls along part of its border with Nevada. The highest peak is Mt. Whitney at 14,505'. These are the highest areas in the contiguous U.S.
In the East, the Appalachians run down from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland in Canada for 1,500 miles through many of the Eastern Seaboard States and across to Kentucky and Tennessee down to Georgia and Alabama. The highest point in the range is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684' above sea level.
Other U.S. mountain ranges include the Cascades, Ozarks, and the Adirondacks.
The Alaska Range is the highest range in all of the U.S. with Mt. McKinley at 20,237'. You most likely aren't going to be looking for land in these highest locations, but there is plenty of mountain land and fresh air in the lower mountain areas across the country.
Government-Owned vs. Private Land
Because of their beauty and unique natural attributes, a lot of mountain land is owned by the National or state government. For example, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are National Parks mostly located within Wyoming. However, a lot of area in neighboring Jackson Hole is privately-owned land.
Similarly, in the Sierra, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia are National Parks. However, within adjoining National Forest land there are parcels of privately-owned land. For example, the areas of California Hot Springs and Ponderosa are located in and around the Giant Sequoia National Monument, however much of that land is privately owned.
In 1981, a study showed that 40% of the land and 70% of the mineral rights of the Appalachians in the U.S. are corporation-owned. Those statistics have probably not changed much. Parts are also owned by the federal and state governments. But, there's also a lot of privately-owned land along this range as well.
There are little nuggets like these within much of the mountain regions of the U.S., as well as larger undeveloped parcels. There are also fishing, hunting, and sporting properties with or without lakes, and much more.
Where Do You Want to Invest?
Perhaps you've been dreaming of a mountain retreat for a while as a vacation getaway or retirement property. Maybe you've thought about looking at an investment property in the mountains. You could be considering the purchase of a lodge, or property with one or more cabins to rent out for part of the year. There are unlimited options in a multitude of states.
But, we would never suggest anyone buy on a whim. While an investment doesn't have to last a lifetime, it is always wise to invest in land that you will want to hang onto for a while, just like your house. So, consider where in the U.S. you really want property and analyze what you really want out of it. Besides the purchase price, investigate other issues such as property taxes, access to utilities, etc.
Then, when you have thought it all through and discussed it with everyone involved, begin your search through the listings of LandBroker MLS. We have listings in all of the Mountain States from California and Nevada to Georgia and the Carolinas, as well as Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, and more. Check it out here!
And for those brokers who specialize in mountain properties, or simply have a couple of land for sale listings near the city(s) which you work, consider joining the LandBroker MLS Co-op. Contact us today, and we'll be happy to discuss the best listing service of land for sale on the internet.