The Nature Conservancy’s Flat Ranch Preserve

You likely go by this property many times during a fishing season. But especially early in any season featuring a good water flow (above 100 cfs) out of Henry’s Lake, you make a mistake by not stopping to try the Henry’s Fork here. Hybrid, cutthroat and brook trout, with larger individuals being escapees from the lake above, inhabit the river within.

Located fifteen miles west of West Yellowstone, The Nature Conservancy’s Flat Ranch offers a great place to view wildlife and learn about the Conservancy before entering Yellowstone National Park. A working cattle ranch owned and operated by the Conservancy, Flat Ranch demonstrates that conservation and sustainable ranching practices can work together to promote healthy grasslands. Through progressive conservation efforts and full-time management, the Ranch has become a wildlife haven, learning and research center, and community gathering place.

Throughout the summer, enjoy our summer lecture series at Flat Ranch (June – August). Take a wildflower walk, gaze at the stars, learn about grizzly bears and more.

Depending on the season, moose, pronghorn and sandhill cranes can often be seen from the deck of the visitor center; a spotting scope is available for use during the center’s operating hours.

Migratory birds such as long-billed curlews and ospreys also depend on this lush and fertile basin. The area’s water supports large numbers of aquatic insects, providing food for the internationally famous wild trout that swim the waters, including the imperiled Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Over the years these wild inhabitants have benefited from improvements such as planting willows along river banks and restoring historic stream channels. Resolve to fish the river here within next season