Protected in perpetuity

The historic Kelly Ranch sits along the Gallatin River, just west of Bozeman, Montana, in the Gallatin Valley. It is owned and run by Kathryn Kelly and her husband Bob Judd.

In 1863, originally drawn by the gold rush, John Bozeman established the Bozeman trail, a side trail to the Oregon Trail, and the city was platted the next year. About twenty years later, Damon Gabriel moved his family to homestead on what is now known as the Kelly Ranch. The homestead was established in 1889, but its rare two-story hand-hewn log barn was probably built earlier.

Native American tribes like the Shoshone, Nez Perce, Sioux, Blackfeet, and Flathead made their homes here, but the valley was not held by any particular tribe. There is ample evidence that Native Americans spent time on the ranch land, including a Buffalo Jump.

The ranch is now a working cattle ranch, and it is also home to many wild animals as well, including deer, black bear, marmots, weasels, and beaver. It is also breeding ground for many birds, including eagles, osprey, and other raptors, Sandhill crane, woodpeckers, and a variety of songbirds and water fowl. An abundance of native plants and wildflowers can also be found here, and the river is home to trout and whitefish.

Kathryn, who was raised on the Kelly Ranch, along with her parents donated conservation easements on the family ranch to Montana Land Reliance (MLR) in 2001 and 2007. She is a regional manager with MLR, founding member of the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators, and formerly worked in the escrow industry. Bob is a novelist and former advertising exec.

The Kelly Ranch has hosted cultural, educational, and philanthropic events that align with their passion for conservation and connection with the land. These include concerts, field trips for Sacajawea Audubon, Montana Native Plant Society, and local school children, as well as bat walks.

Enjoy the photos!