181 Hart Bench Rd, Darby, MT, 59829
About This Home
No trailering required—miles of unrestricted riding and fully horse-ready from day one with steel pipe fencing, 5-stall barn, arena, round corral, irrigated hay ground, 19.55-acres and direct access to Bitterroot National Forest. Live Montana’s ultimate equestrian lifestyle — where scenic privacy meets endless miles of trails. Ride straight into the U.S. Forest Service trails from your gate, or relax in your private sauna after a day exploring the mountain air. This country estate is a custom-designed masterpiece of western living, featuring four bedrooms, bonus room, office, game room with wet bar and wine fridge, a cozy library nook, double garage as well as two full guest apartments, and heated workshop. Perfect for equestrians, multi-generational living, or as a legacy retreat with income potential. Located minutes from Chief Joseph Ranch, Lake Como, and Lost Trail Ski Area, this property offers year-round recreation and luxurious self-sufficiency — all under Montana’s big sky. This is more than a home—it’s a self-sustaining retreat built for adventure, serenity, and lasting legacy under the Big Sky. Fish the legendary West Fork of the Bitterroot River in less than five minutes, ski Lost Trail Powder Mountain in just 30, or simply enjoy the peace and privacy of your own mountain retreat, complete with panoramic views, lush irrigated pasture, and three ponds. Thoughtful details like wrap-around decks, multiple fireplaces, and a private hot tub maximize your connection to nature and the stunning south valley vistas. The home includes a private 1-bedroom guest wing with a full kitchen, bath, and separate entrance. A second fully-equipped studio apartment—an 840 sq ft space above the large detached shop—has served successfully as a vacation rental. Equestrian and ranch amenities include: • 5-stall barn with tack room and hay storage • Large riding arena • Steel pipe fencing • Irrigated pastures • Fenced garden with fertile soil and optimal sunlight Built for self-sufficiency and peace of mind, the property includes solar panels, electric utilities, and a full-home generator for uninterrupted living. Whether you're raising horses, cultivating a garden, or watching elk and deer cross the land at dawn, this property offers an unmatched Montana lifestyle. It’s not just a home—it’s a private sanctuary built for legacy living in Big Sky Country.
Getting Around
Car-Dependent
Very Limited Transit
Not Bike FriendlySchools
Construction
Condition
- Year built: 1990
Materials
- Foundation: Poured
Type & Style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Other
- Property subType: Single Family Residence
Interior
Appliances
- Appliances included: Dishwasher,Range,Refrigerator
- Laundry features: Washer Hookup
Basement
- Has basement: Yes
- Basement: Daylight,Finished,Walk-Out Access
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 5
- Full bathrooms: 4
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Features
- Fireplace,Sauna,Additional Living Quarters
- Number of fireplaces: 2
- Fireplace: Yes
- Finished area below ground: 1,584
Heating & Cooling
- Heating features: Geothermal,Wood Stove
- Cooling features: Central Air
Interior Area
- Total interior livable area: 7,868 sqft
Property
Details
- Parcel number: 13107312301070000
- Special condition: Standard
- Other equipment: Generator,Irrigation Equipment
- Horse amenities: Arena,Tack Room
Features
- Patio & porch: Deck,Patio,Wrap Around,Balcony
- Exterior features: Balcony,Garden,Hot Tub/Spa
- Has spa: Yes
- Spa features: Hot Tub
- Fencing: Back Yard,Cross Fenced,Other,Perimeter
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Meadow,Mountain(s)
- Topography of land: Varied
- Horses can be raised: Yes
Lot
- Lot size: 19.55 Acres
- Features: Agricultural,Back Yard,Front Yard,Garden,Landscaped,Pasture,Views,Wooded
Parking
- Total spaces: 4
- Parking features: Additional Parking
- Has garage: Yes
- Attached garage spaces: 4
- Covered spaces: 4
Climate Risk is Financial Risk
Every home has a financial story beyond the listing price. Below, you’ll see the climate risks that could affect this property — and in Bills & Affordability, how those risks may influence repairs, insurance, utilities, and long-term value.
Biggest Threats for This Home
- Wildfire
- Inland Flooding
- Landslide
- Winter Weather
- Avalanche
- Cold Wave
- Lightning
How This Home’s Risks Compare
FEMA Declared Disasters in Ravalli County and Montana
Understanding the Costs
Financial advisors generally recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross household income on housing costs. In practice, many households stretch to 35% or beyond — especially in high-cost markets.
Estimated Costs Today
| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | $10,087 | $121,044 |
| Home Insurance | $664 | $7,968 |
| Property Taxes | $743 | $8,916 |
| Electricity | $540 | $6,483 |
| Total | $12,034 | $144,408 |
Income You'd Need if You Spent...
How Costs Could Change Over Time
Climate risk is quickly impacting all of the major home ownership costs. Adjust the growth rates and percentage of income spent on housing below to see how your housing costs could change over the next 10 years — and what income you'd need to keep up.
Comparing Against the Market
Price Per Sq Ft
vs Other Active Listings
Avg $/sqft
vs Homes Sold Last Month
Median $/sqft
Current Market Trends
Median Price Per Square Foot
The median price per square foot of homes sold in this area each month. Compare this to this listing's price per square foot to gauge whether the home is priced in line with recent sales.
Historicals for This Listing
Zestimate History ($/sqft)
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-25 | Price change | $1,995,000 |
| 2026-03-02 | Price change | $2,099,000 |
| 2025-11-10 | Listed for sale | $2,199,000 |
| 2025-11-08 | Listing removed | $2,249,000 |
| 2025-10-06 | Price change | $2,249,000 |
| 2025-07-13 | Price change | $2,299,000 |
| 2025-06-27 | Price change | $2,399,000 |
| 2025-05-28 | Price change | $2,499,000 |
| 2025-05-05 | Listed for sale | $2,599,000 |
For Sale by Agent
View on Zillow