A River Runs Through a Magnificent Montana Estate Listed for $21.75M

Cast your mind back in time to 1992. For those who remember a young Brad Pitt angling for fish in “A River Runs Through It,” he was only upstaged by the cinematic beauty of the titular river.

And that lovely waterway was Montana’s Gallatin River, which sits just downstream from the resort town of Big Sky.

We can’t promise an appearance by Pitt, but fly-fishing enthusiasts now have the opportunity to buy a luxe log cabin home on two 10-acre parcels, with 1,000 feet of frontage on the Gallatin. And this spread is just down the river from where the movie was filmed.

For those who think $21.75 million might be too much to spend on a home tied to the seasons, there’s more. Much more. The asking price also includes a 1-acre parcel in Big Sky’s private Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, and a new owner is automatically entitled to membership.

Membership means direct access to the ski runs and lifts of Big Sky Resort. So when it snows, you can be on the slopes in minutes, valet-parked, and ready to slalom without the need to stand in line for a ticket. Club access also means additional activities during warm weather months. There’s a Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course and clubhouse with fine dining, a workout facility and locker rooms, outdoor pool, and tennis courts.

“You get the best of all worlds with this property,” says the listing agent, Martha Johnson of The Big Sky Real Estate Co. “You’ll find some of the best skiing and fishing in the world here, and it’s also an easy drive to Yellowstone.” Johnson told us it’s an easy day trip to the National Park for lunch, hiking, or watching Old Faithful.

The seller is an executive who used to host corporate retreats on the property. He’s currently spending more time in Europe and other locations, and doesn’t spend as much time at the scenic retreat.

More of a luxury lodge than a traditional cabin, the home offers four bedrooms and six bathrooms in 5,905 square feet of space.

Of course, there are rustic vibes, thanks to sturdy log beams and walls throughout. But rustic doesn’t mean the place lacks in luxury.

One of the most luxurious perks might be the pristine mountain and river views through the massive windows.

A two-story great room offers grandeur and features a soaring stone fireplace, with galleries above, an inviting bar, plus a dining area that can accommodate a large family.

The master bedroom in the main residence is a retreat unto itself, with a spacious overhead loft, another large stone fireplace, and a relaxing sunroom.

Other bedrooms comfortably accommodate guests as well as family members. Younger guests especially appreciate the bunk room, which sleeps at least six. There’s an additional double-story suite that could also be considered a main suite.

In addition to the main lodge, there’s a structure that can be used as a self-contained guest suite. It features a library/executive office, a fireplace, a gourmet kitchen, and a sauna.

Johnson also points out that the lodge is offered fully furnished, with everything from china to linens. Also, there are no covenants or restrictions, so a buyer could build more cabins on the property.

As for the fishing? According to Johnson, it isn’t unheard of to pull 24-inch rainbow and brown trout from the waters outside the cabin.

In fact, the laid-back lifestyle is so enticing, Johnson’s son returned to the area after finishing school and followed her into the real estate business. You can see him and his dog in the dreamy listing photos.