What will happen to $940m Yellowstone empire when show ends? Inside TV mogul Taylor Sheridan’s insane ranches

It remains to be seen whether Yellowstone showrunner Taylor Sheridan will walk away from his multimillion-dollar ranch real estate portfolio. Pictures: Realtor.com/Getty

Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is going out with a bang as far as his wildly popular series is concerned — even roping in supermodel Bella Hadid to be his on-screen girlfriend in one of the final episodes of the hit TV show.

But while Sheridan, 54, is bidding farewell to “Yellowstone,” his love of the rancher lifestyle might not be as easy to shake, particularly given that cowboy lifestyle passion has turned into a property empire worth more than $940m (US$600m).

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The showrunner owns not one, but two Texas ranches, and though they are located many miles away from Montana, where “Yellowstone” is set, he managed to get them some screen time in the series, which ends in December.

Much of the filming for the series — which focuses on the powerful Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner)— took place on the Chief Joseph Ranch, a real-life working cattle ranch in Montana, Realtor reports.

The ranch can be rented out for a taste of the “Yellowstone” lifestyle. However, Sheridan is reported to have made a killing charging Paramount to use his ranches for filming and as a “cowboy camp” to train the show’s actors.

The Yellowstone Ranch is real, and is know as the Chief Joseph Ranch. Pictures: Paramount/Chief Joseph Ranch/Instagram

He charged the network $50,000 a week to use his properties as a set for the show, while the training camp reportedly cost Paramount an additional $214,979, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Sheridan has stakes in two ranches in the Texas area, one of which, the Four Sixes Ranch, he bought as part of an investment group for an eye-watering $501m (US$320m) in 2022.

Back in 2013, he purchased Bosque Ranch for $413m (US$264m) as a base for his family when they relocated to Texas from Los Angeles.

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone is coming to an end. Pictures: Paramount, Realtor.com

He also has a role in the show itself, starring as horse trainer Travis Wheatle, the new on-screen love interest of Hadid’s character.

The social media star’s turn on the show seems to be a consequence of her reported real-life romance with cowboy Adan Banuelos, who also appears on the series.

Hadid is no stranger to ranch life thanks to her mum, Yolanda Hadid, who recently showed off her own Texas horse ranch for Architectural Digest.

Sheridan enlisted Bella Hadid for a cameo as his on-screen girlfriend in the penultimate Season 5 episode. Pictures: Paramount, Realtor.com

It remains to be seen whether Sheridan will part ways with any of his ranch properties in the wake of “Yellowstone” ending. However, his connection to that way of life will take a while to stamp out.

Cowboy in real life

Taylor Sheridan in real life owns not one, but two Texas ranches. Pictures: Instagram/NicoleMuirbrookSheridan, Realtor.com

Sheridan, along with ruling an entire cowboy universe of shows, has an off-screen life as a cowboy, having grown up on a ranch in Cranfills Gap in Texas. The formative experience helped to shape his vision for the show, he said.

Previously, Sheridan had been an actor on shows such as “Veronica Mars” and “Sons of Anarchy,” during which time he and his family were based in Los Angeles.

However, in a 2020 interview with Cowboys and Indians magazine, he admitted that he couldn’t wait to leave LA.

Sheridan was part of an investor group that snapped up the historic Four Sixes Ranch for $320 million in 2022. Picture: YouTube/6666 Ranch

He relocated “the second I could get out,” he said. He and his wife decided to move to the Lone Star State in 2020, after having spent some time in her native Wyoming.

“My wife’s from up in Wyoming and my mother lives up there, so we moved there for a number of years, until I finally convinced her to come try my home state. And I moved her to Texas, because I figured I might as well just pull the Band-Aid off quick,” he recalled.

“She didn’t understand the heat for a bit, but then she figured it out, and now she’s a Texan.”

MORE: Inside Yellowstone creator’s $526m ranch amid show’s spending scandal

Between two ranches

Together with his wife, actress-model Nicole Muirbrook, and their son, he splits his time between two Texas ranches.

The 600-acre Bosque Ranch, located in Weatherford, is his home base and where he’s mainly headquartered, he’s said. Eagle-eyed fans will also notice scenes of the show shot on this property.

In 2013, he reportedly bought the Bosque Ranch, which he and his family use as their private residence, while also maintaining it as a working property. Picture: YouTube/Bosque Ranch

“The main headquarters where we live is more of a horse ranch, because I’m pretty deep into the horse deal. And then the ranch out by Jacksboro is more where we run the cattle,” he told Cowboys and Indians.

However, the $264 million property is far from the most lavish ranch in his portfolio.

Along with a group of investors, the 266,000-acre Four Sixes ranch — a cattle property — was founded by Capt. Samuel “Burk” Burnett in 1870, according to its website.

In the interview, he noted that he provides the horses that are showcased on the Western drama, but he declined to state the number of cattle.

“I’m very fortunate in that I have some very nice Angus cattle. As far as my horses go, I supply most of the horses to ‘Yellowstone,’ my TV show,” he explained.

“And then I have horses that I show and breed. Right now, I’ve got probably as many horses as I have cattle. And I have too many horses.”

Bosque Ranch

The scenic surroundings of Bosque Ranch have stood in for scenes in “Yellowstone.”

According to the website, the property is “nestled among quiet roads and the rolling hills above the Brazos River.”

Together with his wife, actress-model Nicole Muirbrook, and their son, he splits his time between two Texas ranches. Pictures: Paramount, Realtor.com

The working ranch offers a range of activities, from horse competitions to TV shoots.

“Sheridan plans to elevate operations by hosting reining and cow horse reining events, film and TV shoots, concerts, music festivals, charity events and an ongoing unique dining experience,” the website states.

In addition, there’s a watering hole for humans. Nic’s Bar, which is named after his wife, is where “premiere members” can head for drinks and more.

“Nic’s Bar, a beautiful space overlooking the arena offers its premiere members and patrons a local spot for drinks, food and dancing, while also offering a private event space to host cast and crew parties, special events and more,” the website adds.

Sheridan plans to elevate operations at the Bosque Ranch by hosting reining and cow horse reining events, film and TV shoots, concerts, music festivals, charity events and an ongoing unique dining experience”. Pictures: YouTube/Bosque Ranch

Real-life Dutton Ranch

The Yellowstone ranch is known as the Chief Joseph Ranch in real life.. Picture: Chief Joseph Ranch/Instagram

In addition to the Texas locales, “Yellowstone” also shoots at a picturesque Montana ranch that’s a working cattle property, which stands in for the Dutton family home.

Chief Joseph Ranch sits in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and offers several cabins available to rent.

Shane and Abigail Libel, who own and run the ranch, rent out the land and its cabins for production during the filming of the show. When filming wraps, it turns back into a working cattle ranch where the main lodge serves as the Libels’ family home.

The ranch, a five-hour drive from Yellowstone National Park, also has two cabins that can sleep up to eight people — priced at US$1,400-$1,700 a night.

Expanding his empire?

The The Four Sixes Ranch. Pictures: Paramount, Realtor.com

/Sheridan might actually be looking to increase his property portfolio, with TMZ reporting the addition of a $7.8m (US$4.95m) ranch in Wyoming’s Star Valley in September.

The 179-acre ranch, which is known as Papa’s Creek Ranch, boasts two trout streams, making it the ideal location for any eager fisherman.

“It is worth stating that both Papa’s Creek and the Salt River are protected by Wyoming Stream access laws with no public access easements that often encumber other Salt River properties,” the listing stated. “This unique scenario allows the landowner full control to enjoy and invest with the utmost confidence in these dynamic resources.”

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