181 Hart Bench Rd

181 Hart Bench Road is a 19.55-acre horse property in the Bitterroot Valley, about 10 minutes from Darby, Montana. It borders Bitterroot National Forest, so you can ride from your gate onto public trails without trailering. The property includes a custom main home, a private guest wing, a studio apartment above the heated shop, a 5-stall barn, a riding arena, irrigated pasture, and three ponds. Both guest spaces are can be used as rentals, the shop apartment has a great short-term rental history.

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The Main Home

The custom-built main home is organized over multiple levels, with 3 bedrooms and a finished lower level. The main level centers on a large gathering room, a kitchen with granite countertops and a walk-in pantry, a dining area, and a living room with a stone fireplace. A large wrap-around deck on the west side faces the mountains and holds a hot tub, with room for outdoor dining and entertaining.

Upstairs are the primary suite, a home office, a bar and game room with wine fridge, and a library area. The lower level adds a sauna, a sound studio, a sitting area, a large storage room, and a flexible bonus room. A two-car attached garage completes the home.

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Guest Wing and Studio

The private guest wing works like its own apartment, with a living room, full kitchen and dining space, bathroom, in-unit laundry, a separate entrance, and a bedroom with a door opening onto the back deck. An 840 sq ft studio apartment above the detached heated shop has also served as a vacation rental. Together they suit extended family, long-term guests, hunters and anglers, or short-term rental guests.

 

Horse Facilities

• 5-stall barn with tack room and hay storage

• Large riding arena and round corral

• Paddocks and steel pipe fencing

• Irrigated pasture and hay ground

• Three ponds

• Hay shed

• Chicken coop with enclosed run

• Fenced garden

Self-Sufficient Systems

Solar panels, whole-house backup generator, and water storage support year-round living in the Montana countryside. The irrigated land and fenced garden suit a hobby farm or homestead lifestyle, and elk and deer are frequent visitors.

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Location and Recreation

The property is located in Darby, south of Hamilton in Ravalli County. Fish the West Fork of the Bitterroot River in under five minutes, ski or snowboard at Lost Trail Powder Mountain in about 30, and boat at Painted Rocks Reservoir, 21 miles away. Hunting, camping, hiking, and wildlife watching are at your backdoor, and very nearby are the Chief Joseph Ranch (famous for it's role as the "Dutton Ranch" in the Yellowstone series, and Lake Como.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there horse property near Darby, MT that borders national forest?
Yes. 181 Hart Bench Road has 19.55 acres adjoining Bitterroot National Forest, with a 5-stall barn, riding arena, and irrigated pasture.

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How many bedrooms does the property have?
The main home has 3 bedrooms. The private guest wing has its own bedroom, and the studio above the shop provides additional guest space.

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Can the property be used as a vacation rental?
Both the guest wing and the studio are approved for rental use and have rental history.

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How far is it from skiing and fishing?
The West Fork of the Bitterroot River is under five minutes away, and Lost Trail Powder Mountain is about 30 minutes away.