The Bill Connot Ranch

The Bill Connot Ranch in Cherry County, NE, is a rare, well-maintained recreational and grazing property with extensive trail systems, reliable water sources, and prime wildlife habitat, it offers exceptional hunting, outdoor recreation, and cattle grazing opportunities. Located near the Niobrara River and bordered by the Heartland Elk Ranches, it offers natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and practical amenities in one outstanding package. Land The Bill Connot Ranch features 450.91 deeded acres and a 624.76-acre school land lease.  The property is in excellent condition, with well-maintained roads, water sources, and improvements such as a secure headquarters with a shop and cattle facilities. Its versatile layout and access to scenic areas provide outstanding potential for recreational, hunting, and livestock operations.

Improvements Meticulously maintained, this ranch is arguably one of the most accessible and well-kept properties on the market today. The owners have dedicated countless hours and resources to develop miles of trail roads throughout the land, making it UTV and ATV friendly—perfect for exploring every corner with ease and comfort.

Water features are abundant on the ranch, with spring-fed running water flowing through both the east and west canyon draws, providing a reliable year-round water source for cattle and supporting the thriving wildlife habitat. A charming pond on the west end adds to the scenic beauty and wildlife appeal. Strategically placed culverts across the creeks ensure convenient crossings for UTVs and ATVs, enhancing the recreational experience.

To optimize hunting and scenic viewing, most of the trees on the property have been carefully trimmed from the bottom up, creating open areas that facilitate wildlife movement and improve shooting or scouting opportunities. Recent game camera photos demonstrate the property’s outstanding hunting potential, featuring abundant game and thriving wildlife populations.

Conveniently accessible via blacktop “Sparks River Road,” just two miles south of Sparks, NE, the ranch features an impressive entrance and well-maintained gravel roads leading directly to the headquarters. The ranch headquarters includes a secure, fully fenced area with a 40×60 shop featuring concrete floors and electricity, along with efficient cattle working facilities—perfect for livestock management and maintenance.

Water infrastructure is well-established, with one deeded well supplying multiple tanks and hydrants, ensuring a dependable water supply. Adjacent to the deeded acres, the school land lease spans four pastures with recently replaced fencing, a reliable well, and water tanks.

This property truly combines secluded natural beauty, robust wildlife, productive grazing land, and excellent access—an unparalleled opportunity for hunting, recreation, and ranching in one of Nebraska’s most scenic regions. Don’t miss your chance to own the Bill Connot Ranch—where adventure, nature, and opportunity meet.

Recreation Located just a short drive north of the scenic Niobrara River and bordered by the Heartland Elk Ranch, this ranch offers excellent elk hunting or viewing opportunities.  Situated within Nebraska’s Unit 6 elk hunting zone, it boasts some of the state’s highest elk tag allocations as well as elk harvests.  Besides elk, the property is teeming with turkey, whitetail and mule deer, antelope, and upland game birds, making it a true haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources All owney convey!

General Operations The deeded land supports approximately 60 pairs over a four-month grazing season and the school land lease is currently supporting roughly 80 pairs for a five-month grazing season offering income potential alongside recreational enjoyment.

Region & Climate Valentine, Nebraska is located in the Sandhills region and has a hot-summer humid continental climate with significant temperature swings, hot, mostly clear summers, and cold, snowy, and windy winters. Annual precipitation averages around 20-21 inches, with most of it falling in the spring and summer, while average annual snowfall is about 35-45 inches.

Location The property is located 1 mile south of Sparks, Nebraska;  18.5 miles northeast on highway 12 from Valentine, Nebraska, 27 miles northwest of Springview, Nebraska, and 47 miles southwest of Gregory, South Dakota.